Unlike urban areas, where opioid addiction is more common, rural Nebraska sees higher rates of methamphetamine abuse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers in the state are now focusing on the unique challenges of preventing and treating drug abuse in rural communities.
Scientists are examining a wide range of issues affecting people struggling with substance dependence, including how community dynamics can restrict access to treatment. Much of the existing addiction research has focused on urban settings, but rural areas face distinct challenges such as limited treatment availability, transportation barriers, and different substance use patterns.
Rick Bevins, director of the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said seeking treatment in small towns comes with additional difficulties.
“Stigma is a major issue when seeking treatment when an individual is ready to seek treatment,” Bevins said. “The challenges are different in a rural setting. Your neighbors may know.”
Bevins added that researchers are working closely with individuals seeking treatment to help them overcome stigma and recognize their value within the community. The research center is supported by an $11.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health aimed at improving prevention and treatment strategies for drug abuse in rural America.
Despite these challenges, Bevins noted that smaller communities can also provide strong support systems for recovery.
“Having family and friends and partners and the community really reversing it,” Bevins said. “Yes, we want you to be a healthy individual as a part of our community.”
The center’s research also explores the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, the impact of parental alcohol use on school-age children, and transportation barriers that affect access to substance use treatment.
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