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Substance Abuse

Substance abuse has long been perceived to be a problem of the inner city. However, alcohol abuse is also a problem in rural areas and illicit drugs have infiltrated towns of every size. Today, adults and young teens in rural areas are just as likely to abuse substances as those in larger metropolitan areas. The problems may be the same, but smaller communities have limited resources to deal with the consequences of substance abuse.

Factors contributing to substance abuse in rural America include poverty, unemployment, underemployment and the isolation of rural areas. Substance abuse results in crime including buying and selling drugs, driving while intoxicated, and disorderly conduct, as well as poor grades in school and other serious complications. Substances abused include, but are not limited to, alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and cigarettes.

According to the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, substance abuse dependence for persons 12 years or older (unless age is otherwise noted) varied by geographic area:

• Underage alcohol use rate in nonmetropolitan areas was 23.5%, small metropolitan areas was 26.1%, large metropolitan areas was 24.9%.
• Rates of past month alcohol use were 43.8% in nonmetropolitan areas, 51.5% in small and 54.3% in large metropolitan areas.
• Rates of binge alcohol use among youths aged 12 to 17 were 7.7% in nonmetropolitan areas, 7.5% in small metropolitan areas, and 7.3% in large metropolitan areas.
• Rates of illicit drug use was 7.2% in nonmetropolitan counties as a group, 8.7% in small metropolitan counties, and 9.2% in large metropolitan counties. Within nonmetropolitan areas, the rate was 8.5% in urbanized counties, 6.3% in less urbanized counties, and 5.7% in completely rural counties.
• Cigarette smoking rates in nonmetropolitan areas were 26.4%, small metropolitan areas 22.8%, and large metropolitan areas 20.4%.
• Rates of smokeless tobacco use during the past month in nonmetropolitan areas were 5.7%, small metropolitan areas 4.0%, and large metropolitan areas 2.0%.
• Rates of substance dependence or abuse among nonmetropolitan counties was 6.3%, compared to 8.2% in small metropolitan counties and 8.4% in large metropolitan counties.

Sources
2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Contacts

Mental Health Services Locator
Find mental health services and resources for professionals, consumers and families in your area

National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Call Center
Hotline Call Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800.784.6776

National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines
Reaches professionals in every state that work to help in cessation efforts of tobacco users. Call 800.QUIT.NOW (800.784.8669)  / TTY 800.332.8615

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
Find a treatment center in your area

There are more organizations related to Substance Abuse in the organizations section.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is substance abuse?
• What are signs of substance abuse?
• How do I find a substance abuse treatment center in my rural area?
• Does health insurance pay for substance abuse treatment?
• What can be done to discourage children from using drugs and alcohol?
• What are illicit drugs?
• Why is underage drinking and binge drinking so prevalent in rural communities?
• What effects does substance abuse have on a community?
• How can communities combat substance abuse?
• Are there disparities in the rates of substance abuse by Native Americans vs. the general rural population?

Last Reviewed: 9/14/2012