Context: There is growing concern about illicit rural stimulant use, especially regarding methamphetamine use and its health consequences. Purpose: The present study describes associations between aspects of stimulant use and illness experience in rural areas, with additional focus on the role of demographic characteristics in these associations.…

This study describes the prevalence of alcohol and drug use, abuse, and dependence among adults on the Texas-Mexico border in 2002-2003. The findings are based on survey responses from a random sample of 1,200 adults living in households in three communities: El Paso, a densely populated city in west Texas; the less dense urbanized areas of the…

Examines particular problems and experiences of delivering drug and alcohol services to rural communities in the U.S. and details the programs and services developed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. (Author/AH)

Explores the rural alcoholic woman's feelings of self-esteem and her relationship with her family, finding attitudes and behaviors similar to those found in prior research conducted on urban alcoholic women--low self-esteem and low satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. Discusses implications for treatment. (Author/AH)

Perspectives and challenges in doing alcohol and drug abuse prevention in rural Alaska are described through a fictionalized narrative of two consultants to a Native village and one person's development as village prevention specialist. Highlights include innovative programs and approaches to training and intervention that draw on indigenous…

A 3-year follow-up study of alcohol prevention among 4,406 children showed that neither a comprehensive school curriculum nor a community intervention was successful in preventing adolescent drinking. Predictor variables for drinking are examined and the importance of tolerance and encouragement of drinking by adult role models are noted. (Author)

Among 492 rural Ohio high school students surveyed in 1979, 78.3% had used alcohol at least once and 51.3% had used marijuana at least once, contrasting previous research reporting low substance use among rural youth. Socio-demographic and family variables had only limited utility for understanding drug or alcohol abuse. (SB)

A survey in a rural Texas school district revealed that as many as 85% of the students in grades 6-12 drink alcohol. Students believed their drinking routines to be normal, whereas teachers and parents felt that prevalent alcohol use and abuse had definite negative effects. (LP)

Describes study in which 146 rural mental health clinic clients reported moderate to extreme stress levels for all demographic and diagnostic groupings. Indicates younger patients had higher stress levels than older and significantly different stress events differentiated alcoholic, male, and Hispanic-American patients. Discusses implications for…

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with 4 clusters of obstacles (self-reliance, privacy issues, quality of care, and communication and trust) to mental health and substance abuse treatment in 3 treatment sectors for residents of 3 reservations in the United States. Participants (N = 3,084) disclosed whether they had…