Older Adults and Substance Misuse: Understanding the Issue

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. Chapter 1 of this Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) benefits all audiences (providers, supervisors, administrators, older adults, caregivers, and family members). It summarizes the extent of substance use and substance misuse, including substance use disorders (SUDs), among older adults. Chapter 1 will help you understand the current situation and trends to gain an overall, broad understanding of this critical issue. This TIP is for all audiences who provide care and support to older adults, including older adults themselves as well as individuals who are connected to an older adult, such as family members, friends, formal and informal caregivers, behavioral health service and healthcare providers, and aging services providers. Chapter 1 contains information of value to all audiences: it is an overview of substance misuse and addiction treatment among older adults. Chapter 1 also defines terms and summarizes issues to help clients and providers communicate more clearly with each other. This course on the issue of substance misuse in older adults is designed for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their expertise with the issue of substance misuse in older adults. The course material includes a literature review of research and theory. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading peer reviewed research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: SAMHSA Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the issue of substance misuse in older adults. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize the demand for services to address substance misuse in older adults. Describe the scope of the substance misuse problem. Identify the prevalence and characteristics of substance use among older adults. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Older Adults and Substance Misuse: Understanding the Issue. Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov.