Substance Use in the Older Adult

Course overview

Although substance use disorder is typically associated with younger patients, alcohol and drug use has become a growing problem in older people. A declining social support system combined with significant personal losses can lead to anxiety and depression, which makes older individuals vulnerable to using substances for the temporary relief of their mood symptoms. The natural aging process increases the negative physical and emotional impact of a substance use disorder, often mimicking symptoms typically seen in older people, and making it harder for health clinicians to diagnose an existing problem.