Research Alert: January 8, 2018

Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders and the Perceived Need and Utilization of Treatment Services

This research alert contains two different policy briefs.

The first brief, Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders among Non-Metropolitan Residents, provides estimates of the prevalence of illicit drug and opioid use disorders among non-metropolitan adults ages 18-64. Prevalence rates did not decline from 2011-2013 to 2014-2015 despite the implementation of major substance use treatment policies. Of particular concern, heroin use disorder prevalence increased in recent years.

The second brief, Perceived Treatment Need and Utilization for Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders in Non-Metropolitan Areas, shows that the vast majority of non-metropolitan adults 18-64 who satisfy criteria for an illicit drug use or opioid use disorder do not perceive a need for treatment or receive formal substance use treatment. Despite policies to increase treatment access during the 2008-2015 study period, few changes were found in perceived treatment need and utilization.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More information about the Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Healthcare Access, Mental Health, Pharmacy and Prescription Drugs, Rural Health Disparities, Rural Health Policy, Substance Use and Misuse