Confronting Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Rural America
Addiction is a growing health issue that can affect individuals in every corner of America, regardless of their age, gender, race or financial status. However, rural Americans face more challenges in combatting addiction to alcohol and drugs compared to their urban counterparts due to a lack of adequate resources for prevention, treatment and recovery.
Addiction Is a Treatable Disease
Substance use disorder is a mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, making them unable to control their use of such substances as alcohol, legal and illegal drugs and medications. Addiction is the most severe form of substance use disorder.
Many people think addiction is a weakness or moral failure. But addiction is a chronic illness, just like diabetes or heart disease. When a person is struggling with substance use disorder, the alcohol or drug floods their brain with chemicals that overtake the brain’s reward system. This causes them to repeat unhealthy behaviors that feel good, even when they know the behaviors are harmful.
Some people who have substance use disorder may also experience other mental health disorders at the same time, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. Although substance use disorders and other mental health disorders commonly occur together, it doesn’t mean that one caused the other. There isn’t one specific factor that causes addiction. Some individuals may use alcohol or drugs to help cope with stress or mental health issues, for example, while others may develop an addiction by misusing drugs prescribed by their doctors.
Addiction is a disease that can negatively impact every part of a person’s life, including their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships and finances. But recovery is possible with the right treatment and support.
Substance Use Stats & Facts:
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 40.3 million Americans aged 12 years or older had a substance use disorder
One in seven Americans admits that they have a substance use disorder
Alcohol is responsible for 140,000 deaths annually, and one in five deaths among adults ages 20 to 49 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Drug overdoses are a leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S. – nearly 71,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2019.
In Rural America:
29.8% of rural youth (aged 12 to 20 years) reported using alcohol in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
18.4% of rural Americans (12 years and older) reported illicit drug use in SAMHSA’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Of the 11,654 people in the U.S. who were killed in crashes that involved an alcohol-impaired driver in 2020, 43% occurred in rural areas, while 30% of all rural traffic fatalities were related to alcohol
The opioid overdose rate is 45% higher per capita in rural communities than in urban areas
Only about 14% of U.S. behavioral health outpatient treatment facilities are located in rural communities, with less than half of them specializing in treatment of substance use disorder
A recent study by Indiana University indicates that stigma around substance use disorder is greater among people living in rural counties compared to their urban counterparts.
Unique Challenges Rural Communities Face in Combatting Alcohol and Substance Use
For many rural residents who are struggling with addiction, stigma is often a major barrier in seeking support or treatment services. Addiction is still not recognized by many individuals as a disease, but rather considered a weakness of character. In addition, the stigma surrounding substance use disorder may be made worse for those living in small rural communities because of a lack of anonymity if they seek treatment.
Other barriers in combatting addiction in rural American include:
Fewer treatment facilities and services in rural communities for both mental health and substance use
Time and transportation needed to travel long distances to receive treatment
Fewer substance use prevention programs in rural areas
Cost of treatment may be a hurdle for many rural residents who don’t have adequate insurance and can’t afford out-of-pocket treatment costs
Lack of privacy and concern for confidentiality in a small community associated with seeking treatment services for substance use disorder.
Warning Signs That Someone You Care About Could Be Struggling with Addiction Include:
Developing problems at work or school
Ignoring responsibilities and commitments
Deteriorating physical appearance
Changing behaviors, such as mood swings and lack of motivation
Experiencing lapses in concentration or memory
Needing money.
What can you do to help someone who is struggling with addiction?
Don’t be afraid to confront them with your concerns; speak honestly about the warning signs you notice
Encourage them to talk and listen to them without lecturing
Offer your support without judgement
Encourage them to seek help from a healthcare professional
Seek support for yourself – It can be stressful when someone you care about is struggling with addiction. Reach out to a mental health professional to talk about how it is affecting you.
Warning Signs That You May Have an Addiction Include:
You think about and crave alcohol or drugs all the time
You can’t stop using alcohol or drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop
You’re not meeting family obligations or work responsibilities
You struggle to control your emotions and use alcohol or drugs to help cope
Your alcohol or drug use interferes with your relationships and daily life.
Online Addiction Screening Tools:
An Addiction Test is available online from Mental Health America for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs
An Alcohol Screening Tool is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you quickly evaluate your alcohol use and make a plan to drink less.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
If you think you may be addicted to alcohol or drugs, contact a healthcare professional – such as a doctor or therapist – to talk about treatment options. Treatment should be tailored to meet each individual’s substance use disorder and diagnosis, and it may include:
Behavioral therapies
Medications
Outpatient counseling
Inpatient rehabilitation.
Overcoming an addiction can be challenging. Finding the right treatment option is the key to recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline. It is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders, available 24/7, in both English and Spanish.
Additional Resources:
If you need help managing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.