Understanding the Harm Reduction Approach: Principles and Practice

This presentation outlines history, principles, and practices of harm reduction to reduce stigma and harm related to substance use. Emphasis is placed on understanding harm reduction in a syringe service program environment, the clinical setting, and in rural communities.

Telehealth for Substance Use Disorders and Considerations for Rural Regions

This presentation focuses on optimizing patient and clinician experiences with different telehealth platforms, practical guidelines for providing substance use treatment virtually in rural communities, and regulatory considerations.

Peer Recovery as an Evidence-Based Practice: From Science to Impact

The presentation focuses on how peer recovery models of care can help rural recovery communities from three perspectives. Dr. Kelly explains his research from the Recovery Research Institute on peer recovery centers, and reviews the evidence behind how these centers support and encourage long-term recovery. Dr. Depman addresses strategies, benefits, and challenges incorporating peer recovery models of care into that setting for OUD and AUD, based on his experience utilizing peer recovery coaches in the Emergency Department (ED) at Central Vermont Medical Center, a community hospital serving a rural population. Liza Ryan–a certified peer recovery coach in rural Lamoille County, VT, and a person in recovery for over 7 years–explains how her work is affected by serving a rural community.

Cannabis Use and Cannabis Addiction in Rural Populations: Phenomenology, Intervention, Policy

This presentation focuses on enhancing rural providers’ knowledge related to (a) the changing landscape of cannabis products and availability, (b) the potential to develop problems from cannabis use, (c) treatment models for helping those with cannabis problems in rural communities, and (d) the importance of communication for prevention, intervention, and public health in rural settings.

Social Determinants of Mental Health and Substance Use

This presentation introduces key concepts related to the social and structural determinants of health (SDOH), and how they apply to substance use disorders, with a particular focus on implications for rural communities.

Alcohol Use Disorder in the Primary Care Setting: Best Practices for Rural Communities

Our panel addresses the extent of rural alcohol use, specific rural barriers to treatment, clinical management of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and best practices for treatment program design.

Pregnancy, Parenting, And Substance Use: Stigma, Fear and a Call for Improved Messaging to our Families

This presentation covers unique barriers that people with opioid use disorder face when pregnant and parenting.

Strategies for Distributing Intranasal Naloxone to Rural Communities

This presentation explores the need for naloxone distribution in rural areas, and discusses innovative methods and technologies for increasing access.

Practitioner and Stakeholder Perspectives on Opioid Use and Treatment Across Rural Northern New England

This presentation explores data from UVM CORA’s Baseline Needs Assessments in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, sharing insights gathered from practitioners and stakeholders about their concerns about opioid use and their perceived barriers to and beliefs about opioid use disorder treatment.

What Agencies and Providers Are Saying About the Dangers of Xylazine

“Federal and state agencies, local health departments, and health care providers across the country have become increasingly concerned about the rise of xylazine, an adulterant often found in combination with fentanyl and also mixed with heroin, stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine, and other substances.” This article discusses the effects of xylazine, why it poses a danger, as well as distribution patterns, approaches to testing for xylazine, and strategies to address its presence in the illicit drug supply.