Older Adults and Substance Misuse: Understanding the Issue and Principles of Care (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:  This course explores how older adults experience substance misuse differently and provides an overview of the unique needs of older adults with substance use disorder.   Screening, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations are discussed along with general principles of care.  The reading includes Chapters 1 and 2 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Readings:  TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults- Chapters 1 and 2

Publisher:  SAMHSA

Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills, and knowledge by examining the unique needs of older adults with substance use disorder.

Learning Objectives:   Describe how older adults experience substance misuse differently from younger groups.  Describe unique screening, diagnosis, and treatment needs.  Identify general principles of care for treating substance use disorder in older adults.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.

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1: Current 65-and-older individuals and aging baby boomers are _________ likely than members of previous generations to use illicit drugs.
 
 
2: ____________ is the substance that older adults use and misuse most frequently.
 
 
 
 
3: As adults age, they metabolize alcohol differently and become _________ sensitive to its effects.
 
 
4: Which of the following is a potential AI medication?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5: For many older adults with chronic noncancer pain, ________ options are appropriate, effective, and well tolerated.
 
 
6: Cannabis is associated with improvement in memory and thinking, motor skills, depression, and anxiety.
 
 
7: Providers should screen ___________  for substance use.
 
 
 
 
8: Using Exhibit 1.9, which of the following is not a characteristic of late-onset alcohol misuse?
 
 
 
 
9: Most older adults who screen positive for substance misuse need specialized addiction treatment.
 
 
10: For questions 10-16, please refer to Chapter 2.  A large-print handout on the signs of substance misuse is
 
 
11: An older adult specialty group in a mixed-age SUD treatment program is
 
 
12: Earlier cohorts of older adults (e.g., adults born before or during World War II)
 
 
13: Older _________ are at higher risk for co-occurring mental disorders and social isolation.
 
 
14: Substance misuse in older adults is often unrecognized by
 
 
 
 
15: Risk reduction strategies
 
 
 
 
16: A person-centered approach to care for older adults puts _________  at the center of the decision-making process regarding healthcare options and treatment goals.
 
 
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.
Filed under: Addiction, Aging, Clinical