Substance Use Disorder Treatment Among African American Men Living in the Rural South of the United States

Substance use disorders (SUD) affect more than 40 million Americans. African American (AA) men are disproportionally affected by the negative health and social consequences of SUD, and men in rural areas may be particularly at risk due to disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions and persistent race-related stressors such as perceived discrimination. The overall purpose of this study is to advance the understanding of factors associated with SUD treatment acceptance and relapse potential among Southern rural AA men. This purpose was achieved by determining differences in treatment acceptance and relapse potential by race and gender among rural residents admitted in a SUD treatment program, and by exploring factors associated with these outcomes among rural AA men. Enhancing our understanding of factors associated with treatment acceptance and relapse potential in rural AA men with SUD will provide contextual insights and knowledge which will inform the development of subsequent interventions to promote positive treatment outcomes in this vulnerable population. This study’s findings indicates that a poorer recovery environment and worse emotional/behavioral health were strongly associated with poor treatment outcomes