Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the continued concern about substance abuse/misuse and limited access to treatment in rural areas. Rural areas lack the adequate treatment needed to combat substance use disorder (SUD), mainly due to the lack of sufficient providers trained to identify, treat, and support those dealing with SUD. Additional barriers such as the high cost of treatment, stigma surrounding substance use disorders, geographical barriers, and the criminalization of substance abuse are other barriers that will be discussed in this paper (Griffin & Botvin, 2010; Hargons et al., 2023; Khazaee-Pool et al., 2024; National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2024; Raver et al., 2024; Stopka et al., 2024). Additionally, this paper provides a discussion on the need for a shift in policy implications and available programing, such as the implementation and or expansion of MAT programs, telehealth, and the usage of psychedelics as treatment, all of which would likely help increase the positive outcomes of substance use treatment in rural areas.
Recommended Citation
Baker, Dakota
(2025)
"Bridging the gap between substance use treatment barriers in rural areas,"
The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice: Vol. 24, Article 4.
Available at:
https://mds.marshall.edu/msjcj/vol24/iss1/4