Very little research has examined the prevalence of risky substance use (alcohol and drug use) among non-metropolitan adults relative to their metropolitan counterparts.

Using publicly available and nationally representative data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this project aims to: 1) Estimate and compare alcohol use and binge drinking between non-metropolitan and metropolitan adults, and 2) Estimate and compare drug use (marijuana, other illicit drugs, and non-medical use of other drugs) between non-metropolitan and metropolitan adults.

The goal is to provide evidence about the prevalence of these risky behaviors among non-metropolitan residents that will inform the allocation and implementation of prevention programs aimed at reducing risky alcohol and drug use among rural Americans.