Perceived need for substance abuse treatment among illicit stimulant drug users in rural areas of Ohio, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
Non-medical drug use in rural communities in the United States is a significant and growing public health threat. Understanding what motivates drug users in rural areas to seek substance abuse treatment may help in addressing the problem. Perceived need for treatment, a construct indicative of problem recognition and belief in problem solution, has been identified as an important predictor of help-seeking behavior. This cross-sectional study used data collected through face-to-face interviews to examine factors associated with perceived need for drug abuse treatment among not-in-treatment, adult, illicit stimulant drug users (n=710) in rural areas of Ohio, Kentucky, and Arkansas. More than one-quarter of the sample perceived a need for treatment. Results from a stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that white users, users with better physical and mental health status, and occasional users of methamphetamine were significantly less likely to see a need for treatment. Users with higher Addiction Severity Index composite scores for family/social problems or legal problems, and users with prior drug abuse treatment experience were significantly more likely to perceive a need for treatment. These findings have practical implications for efforts addressing substance abuse in rural areas.
Falck
Russel S
RS
Center for Interventions, Treatment, and Addictions Research, Department of Community Health, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. russel.falck@wright.edu
Wang
Jichuan
J
Carlson
Robert G
RG
Krishnan
Laura L
LL
Leukefeld
Carl
C
Booth
Brenda M
BM
D000328:Adult; D001131:Arkansas; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000145:classification; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009820:Ohio; D044469:Racial Groups; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D013287:Illicit Drugs