Using Data to Better Understand Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder

Using Data to Better Understand Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder

By NORC Walsh Center For Rural Health Analysis

More than 70,000 people in the United States died from a drug overdose in 2017, and approximately
two-thirds of those deaths involved opioids, based on CDC data. Addressing SUD is a national challenge, but the solution lies at the local level. Rural America needs to be part of the overdose discussion because the stakes are so high there, yet rural research presents unique challenges. Data collection in rural areas is difficult due to both small numbers and the frequent reliance on survey data with insufficient sample sizes to allow for rural specific analysis.

Data can help rural leaders respond to the big questions—what causes the use of illicit substances in their communities, what perpetuates the problem, and what will mitigate the problem. After identifying the problem and its impact on the larger community, rural leadership can also utilize data to uncover solutions, including prevention, treatment, and recovery options for each community. Using data will help communities and leaders in the following three important ways.

Understand the changing face of the crisis

Both prevalence of OUD and deaths from drug overdoses continue to rise among people of all genders, races, and ages. The opioid crisis impacts individuals living in both urban and rural areas across the country. However, rates of drug overdose deaths have been increasing in rural areas, and in 2015, the rural rate surpassed the urban rate. The crisis has continued to expand and impact growing numbers of people from diverse communities. In many rural communities, a large portion of population has been directly affected in some way. Strong data systems are needed to continue to track communities most affected by OUD and drug overdose deaths.

Better understand the impact on the local community

Increased access to data that identifies the problem at a local level is critical to help local leaders understand the impact on rural communities. The opioid crisis has strained healthcare providers, local economies, law enforcement, emergency response, and social services, including the foster care system and schools. It has also amplified the need for broadband and rural transportation systems. Recruiting and retaining businesses can be difficult in regions with significant burden of the opioid crisis, which can create cascading effects in terms of overall poverty in these communities.

Identify prevention, treatment and recovery models that work

Data on individual recovery success reveals the effectiveness of a community’s overall response to the opioid crisis. Initially, data and evidence-based research reveal the types of prevention, treatment, and recovery models that are most effective for different populations within a particular community. Continuing to collect data on interventions also helps build the evidence-base for successful prevention of opioid misuse. Data is critical to identify where access to treatment options is limited, often the case in many rural communities. Understanding where current treatment resources are available also helps local communities decide where additional resources need to be allocated. When leadership understands where the burden of opioid misuse and mortality is highest, they can more prudently invest adequate resources in local infrastructure, treatment, and emergency services.