“…Access to providers often is a critical barrier for those seeking treatment for opioid use disorder. Despite the lack of access to treatment for opioid use disorder, opioids are prescribed in hospitals at a higher rate in the Midwest, particularly in the rural Midwest ( Eidbo et al, 2022 ; Nahian & Shepherd, 2023 ). Findings from the 2021 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that the Midwest was second following the South for the prevalence of any opioid use during the past year and had moderate rates of opioid misuse in the past year ( SAMHSA, 2023 ).…”