Substance Misuse and Cognitive Impairment

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 6 of this Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) will most benefit providers. It will help them understand how to screen, diagnose, and treat older clients who misuse substances and have, or are at risk for, cognitive problems. Changes in how people think and how their brains work are normal parts of getting older and vary a lot from person to person. But some age-related cognitive changes are abnormal, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, for older adults who misuse substances, difficulties with cognition and other brain functions can be more serious. Older individuals are more sensitive than younger and middle-aged adults to the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain. This puts older people who misuse substances at increased risk for certain problems with thinking (also called cognitive impairment or cognitive disorders), such as dementia and delirium. Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of older clients who misuse substances and have cognitive problems may require help from many different types of providers. One type of provider may screen, another may make the diagnosis, yet another may treat the client or work with the client's caregiver. This course on signs of substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults is designed for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. It is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who wish to develop their expertise with signs of substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults. The course material includes a literature review of interventions. 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 signs of substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize the relationship between substance misuse and cognitive problems in older people. Identify mental disorders that commonly occur in older adults who misuse substances. Describe how to help older clients who misuse substances reduce their chances of developing cognitive problems. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance Misuse and Cognitive Impairment. Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov.