Opioid misuse viewed through person and place in the rural West

Maren Wright Voss, ScD; Ashley C. Yaugher, PhD; Kandice Atismé, MHA, MPH; Amy Campbell, MPH

doi:10.5055/jom.2022.0705

Authors

Maren Wright Voss, ScD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9054-7389
Ashley C. Yaugher, PhD
Kandice Atismé, MHA, MPH
Amy Campbell, MPH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2022.0705

Keywords:

rural, substance use, opioid, recovery, qualitative

Abstract

Objective: This article overviews the current statistics and factors related to increased rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural areas, uncovering factors that may contribute to increased vulnerability to opioid overdose. We qualitatively review opinions, feelings, and thoughts surrounding this issue in rural areas of Utah, analyzing participant stories in reference to three themes through qualitative interviews, including the solitude of addiction, the beguiling strength of addiction, and one way out of addiction.

Design: In 2018, three focus groups were convened with 25 individuals from the rural area. Participants either currently or formerly (self-reported substance free for 6 months or more) experienced OUD with prescription opioids and heroin, or were family members of individuals who currently and formerly experienced OUD. These focus groups addressed current issues in OUDs in a rural Utah community related to person, place, and time. Following the focus groups, six individuals were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. In-depth, semi-structured interviews queried individual experiences through a phenomenological approach, using a moderator guide with queries focused on identified themes related to the solitude, the intensity, and the difficulty escaping substance use disorder (SUD). Methodology included training community scholars with lived experience and member-checking to ensure phenomenological emphasis.

Results: Our qualitative reviews of the experience of OUD and SUD in rural Utah discussed the relevance and the nuance of the three identified themes. The interviewee statements further underscore the solitude, intensity, and difficulty of an individual's journey through SUD, the all-consuming nature of OUD, and the trouble that these factors cause in rural recovery.

Conclusions: We conclude that even during difficult situations in the rural experience with the opioid crisis, hope persists. OUD support in rurality may differ from the expected urban experience and include more coordination with criminal justice workers. Rural Americans have insights to share that could help turn the tide of this crisis.

Author Biographies

Maren Wright Voss, ScD

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor, Health & Wellness, Utah State University Extension, Tooele, Utah

Ashley C. Yaugher, PhD

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor, Health & Wellness, Utah State University Extension; Health Extension, Advocacy, Research, & Teaching (HEART) Initiative Program Coordinator, Carbon and Emery, Utah

Kandice Atismé, MHA, MPH

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor, Health & Wellness, Utah State University Extension, Davis and Weber, Utah

Amy Campbell, MPH

Project Coordinator, Health Resources Services Administration workforce development grant; Utah State University Extension, Salt Lake City, Utah

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