Substance Misuse and Cognitive Impairment- Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:   This course explores substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults.  The course examines how cognition in older adults may be affected by alcohol, benzodiazepines, tobacco, co-occurring disorders, and more.  It includes a discussion of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and caregiver stress.  The reading is Chapter 6 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- Chapter 6

Publisher:  SAMHSA

Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills, and knowledge by exploring substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults.

Learning Objectives:   Describe how substance misuse in older adults can increase the chances of having cognitive problems.  Identify screening instruments for CODs and cognitive disorders.  Describe interventions for substance misuse and co-occurring mental/cognitive disorders.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.

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1: Most older adults who misuse substances meet all DSM-5 criteria for an SUD.
 
 
2: Older adults use ______________ more than any other substance.
 
 
 
 
3: In older people, the central nervous system is _________ sensitive to the effects of drugs and alcohol.
 
 
4: Which of the following is not an example of normal age-related changes in thinking?
 
 
 
 
5: Drinking too much alcohol can damage the
 
 
 
 
6: How much alcohol is 'healthy'? The results of a 2018 systematic analysis show that the safest level of drinking is:
 
 
 
 
7: Which of the following best describes delirium tremens?
 
 
8: About ___________ of people hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal have delirium tremens.
 
 
 
 
9: Three main symptoms occur in WKS:  problems with eye movement, confusion, and an inability to control _______.
 
 
 
 
10: The American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria list medications that are potentially __________ for older adults.
 
 
11: Treatment rates for older people with co-occurring conditions are __________.
 
 
12: Depression is a normal part of aging.
 
 
13: People who have anxiety and depression are about ___________ times more likely to have dementia.
 
 
 
 
14: Which of the following is not included in a trauma-informed approach?
 
 
 
 
15: The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire screens for
 
 
 
 
16: Caregivers who feel high levels of stress may need behavioral health services to
 
 
 
 
 

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