This webinar provides an overview of the impact of opioid use on non-metropolitan rural communities. The session begins with a description of the scope of opioid use with an emphasis on the prevalence in rural settings. The acute and chronic mental health and physical health consequences of opioid use will be reviewed, including the impact of stigma on the availability of evidence-based care. The presentation then shifts focus to a discussion on how to implement effective medical and behavioral treatment interventions and recovery supports for people who have an opioid use disorder, and strategies for overcoming barriers to accessing treatment in rural areas.
