Ending the Chase: Experiences of Rural Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder
Krista L Scorsone1,2,3, Emily A Haozous4, Leslie Hayes5
1Denver-Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Rural individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) face multifaceted challenges, including withdrawal, stigma, and socioeconomic factors. Family and community support are crucial for recovery and resilience in these populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- The United States is experiencing a severe opioid overdose epidemic.
- Rural populations exhibit higher rates of opioid-related morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding factors influencing opioid use and recovery in rural settings is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).
- To analyze these experiences within their broader sociocultural context.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive qualitative design.
- Interviews with twenty purposefully sampled participants.
- Thematic content analysis to identify patterns and themes.
Main Results:
- Opioid dependence was driven by the need to avoid withdrawal symptoms, leading to a 'hustling' lifestyle.
- Opioid pursuit resulted in significant physical, social, emotional, and legal consequences, perpetuating stigma.
- Recovery involved adopting new thinking patterns, making different choices, with family and community being key to resilience.
Conclusions:
- Intersecting social, physical, economic, and policy factors exacerbate the rural opioid epidemic.
- This study amplifies the voices of underrepresented rural individuals with OUD.
- Strong sociocultural ties to family and community are vital adaptive factors for healing and transformation.
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