Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality – 2012
An examination of rural and urban substance abuse treatment admissions data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). Presents a summary of demographic characteristics, noting that rural admissions tend to be younger and less diverse. Rural admissions are more likely to report alcohol and non-heroin opiates as primary substances of abuse. Urban admissions are more likely to report heroin and cocaine, and also more likely to report daily use. Rural admissions are more likely to report younger age of first use. The criminal justice system is a more common source of treatment referral for rural users. The use of heroin by urban users may account for their greater numbers of multiple detoxification services and treatment episodes. Similar numbers of rural and urban admissions report mental health problems, but urban admissions with co-occurring mental health disorders are more likely to be homeless. Suggests that treatment and prevention services should be tailored to the specific needs of each population. Rural services should focus on early intervention and alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs. Urban services should target older populations and take socioeconomic and housing problems into account.