Staff Contact: Hannah Prince
In 2020, almost 3 million people living in rural areas required treatment for a substance use disorder. Of these individuals, only 10% received treatment from a specialty facility and less than 1% received medication for opioid use disorder. A study published in Social Science & Medicine focuses on the unique barriers and challenges faced by patients living in nonmetropolitan areas. Themes include fear of withdrawal, close-knit communities that perpetuate drug use, stigma, limited availability of treatment in rural areas, lack of transportation, and treatment facilities with strict, punitive policies, among others. By understanding the roadblocks faced by these community members, we can begin dismantling the policies and procedures creating inequitable access to treatment.