Distance Traveled to Opioid Treatment Programs in the U.S.
Author Information
Author(s): Andrew Rosenblum, Charles M. Cleland, Chunki Fong, Deborah J. Kayman, Barbara Tempalski, Mark Parrino
Primary Institution: National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI)
Hypothesis
Travel distance to opioid treatment programs is negatively correlated with urbanicity.
Conclusion
A significant number of patients travel considerable distances to access opioid treatment programs, with various factors influencing their commuting patterns.
Supporting Evidence
- 60% of patients traveled less than 10 miles to their OTP.
- 8% of patients traveled across state lines to attend an OTP.
- Patients in the Southeast and Midwest traveled greater distances than those in the Northeast and West.
- Patients using prescription opioids traveled further than those using heroin.
Takeaway
Many people who need help for opioid addiction have to travel far to get it, and some even go to another state for treatment.
Methodology
Patients completed an anonymous one-page survey, and a linear mixed model analysis was used to predict distance traveled to the treatment program.
Potential Biases
The sample may not be representative of all opioid treatment program enrollees due to selection bias in OTPs chosen for the study.
Limitations
Travel distances were estimated based on ZIP code centroids, which may not accurately reflect actual travel times or distances.
Participant Demographics
Patients ranged in age from 18 to 81 years, with a median age of 32; most were male and non-Hispanic white.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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