Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Addiction in Rural Central Appalachia: Utilizing Local Values to Consider Effective Treatment Avenues
Session Abstract or Summary
Nationally, rural regions are burdened with high rates of drug abuse. Rates in rural Central Appalachia exceed national averages, especially in the abuse of nonmedical prescription drugs and heroin. Contributing factors to rates of substance use in this region could be related to the patterns of drug use, pharmaceutical companies targeting the population, and inadequate training for mental health professionals. Here, we review the challenges to and opportunities for treatment of substance use disorders in rural Central Appalachia. According to studies that will be reviewed, challenges involve limited availability of evidence-based, effective treatments for addiction in these communities that lack access to health care and trained professionals. A lack of trust in mental health professionals and deficient public health education contribute to lower rates of treatment seeking. By examining the literature on the culture, customs, values, identities and income inequality of the region, the authors consider strategies to reduce substance use and improve treatments. Treatment opportunities include those that incorporate family into the recovery process, including the Community Reinforcement Approach, and treatments that reduce burden of travel, including telehealth approaches and remote contingency management. Other treatments include medication-assisted therapies, which provide pharmacological relief for substance users, and public health initiatives such as participatory development and lay health advisers, which help educate and integrate communities. Finally, harm reduction strategies such as syringe exchange programs provide opportunities to reduce spread of disease and improve health in rural Central Appalachia. Both strengths and weaknesses of these interventions and policies will be discussed.
Presentation #1 Title
Addiction in Rural Central Appalachia: Utilizing Local Values to Consider Effective Treatment Avenues
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Nationally, rural regions are burdened with high rates of drug abuse. Rates in rural Central Appalachia exceed national averages, especially in the abuse of nonmedical prescription drugs and heroin. Contributing factors to rates of substance use in this region could be related to the patterns of drug use, pharmaceutical companies targeting the population, and inadequate training for mental health professionals. Here, we review the challenges to and opportunities for treatment of substance use disorders in rural Central Appalachia. According to studies that will be reviewed, challenges involve limited availability of evidence-based, effective treatments for addiction in these communities that lack access to health care and trained professionals. A lack of trust in mental health professionals and deficient public health education contribute to lower rates of treatment seeking. By examining the literature on the culture, customs, values, identities and income inequality of the region, the authors consider strategies to reduce substance use and improve treatments. Treatment opportunities include those that incorporate family into the recovery process, including the Community Reinforcement Approach, and treatments that reduce burden of travel, including telehealth approaches and remote contingency management. Other treatments include medication-assisted therapies, which provide pharmacological relief for substance users, and public health initiatives such as participatory development and lay health advisers, which help educate and integrate communities. Finally, harm reduction strategies such as syringe exchange programs provide opportunities to reduce spread of disease and improve health in rural Central Appalachia. Both strengths and weaknesses of these interventions and policies will be discussed.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Jamie Turner is a Research Specialist at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute in the Addiction Recovery Research Center (ARRC). Jamie recently graduated from Radford University with a B.S. in Psychology and B.S.W. in Social Work. ARRC focuses on a variety of interests in brain imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, decision-making in addiction, the recovery process, behavioral economics and abuse liability.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Lindsey Poe is a Research Specialist at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute in the Addiction Recovery Research Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in addition to her minors of Statistics and Leadership at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Dr. Emily Satterwhite is a Associate Professor of Appalachian Studies in the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Tech.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Lara Moody, M.S. is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate at Virginia Tech. Her primary clinical and research focus is addiction in rural populations with a specific interest in treatment development and dissemination. Lara is first author on the manuscript that this proposal is based on, titled Substance Use in Rural Central Appalachia: Current status and treatment considerations, in the Journal of Rural Mental Health.
Addiction in Rural Central Appalachia: Utilizing Local Values to Consider Effective Treatment Avenues
Nationally, rural regions are burdened with high rates of drug abuse. Rates in rural Central Appalachia exceed national averages, especially in the abuse of nonmedical prescription drugs and heroin. Contributing factors to rates of substance use in this region could be related to the patterns of drug use, pharmaceutical companies targeting the population, and inadequate training for mental health professionals. Here, we review the challenges to and opportunities for treatment of substance use disorders in rural Central Appalachia. According to studies that will be reviewed, challenges involve limited availability of evidence-based, effective treatments for addiction in these communities that lack access to health care and trained professionals. A lack of trust in mental health professionals and deficient public health education contribute to lower rates of treatment seeking. By examining the literature on the culture, customs, values, identities and income inequality of the region, the authors consider strategies to reduce substance use and improve treatments. Treatment opportunities include those that incorporate family into the recovery process, including the Community Reinforcement Approach, and treatments that reduce burden of travel, including telehealth approaches and remote contingency management. Other treatments include medication-assisted therapies, which provide pharmacological relief for substance users, and public health initiatives such as participatory development and lay health advisers, which help educate and integrate communities. Finally, harm reduction strategies such as syringe exchange programs provide opportunities to reduce spread of disease and improve health in rural Central Appalachia. Both strengths and weaknesses of these interventions and policies will be discussed.
