Rurality weakens the positive association between the COVID-19 pandemic and substance use treatment involving medications for opioid use disorder

Gains in the use of MOUD post-pandemic appeared short-lived in rural areas, ultimately widening urban-rural disparities. Providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders should work together to sustain policies and practices that promote MOUD, particularly in rural areas.

Authors

Jessica S. Schwind (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2056-0182)
Leanne M. Confer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4245-4505)
Ryan J. Lofaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4672-9169)
Rob Bohler

Institutions

Georgia Southern University (US)
Institute of Criminology (SI)

Publication Details

Journal: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports
Published: 2026-01-05
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2026.100408
Primary Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Type: article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 0.00

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article

Rurality weakens the positive association between the COVID-19 pandemic and substance use treatment involving medications for opioid use disorder

Jessica S. Schwind, Leanne M. Confer, Ryan J. Lofaro, Rob Bohler

Jan 5, 2026

Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

article

Rurality weakens the positive association between the COVID-19 pandemic and substance use treatment involving medications for opioid use disorder

Jessica S. Schwind, Leanne M. Confer, Ryan J. Lofaro, Rob Bohler

January 5, 2026article en

Abstract

Gains in the use of MOUD post-pandemic appeared short-lived in rural areas, ultimately widening urban-rural disparities. Providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders should work together to sustain policies and practices that promote MOUD, particularly in rural areas.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ReportsVol. 18

Georgia Southern University (US), Institute of Criminology (SI)

Zero hunger

Openalex Percentile: Top 98%

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

DOI Open Access PDF OpenAlex

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