Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults NCBI Bookshelf

This type of treatment offers a safe, structured environment with constant access to medical professionals, counselors, and other mental health professionals with expertise in treating older adults suffering from addiction. TEDS data are collected through state administrative systems and then are submitted to SAMHSA. They include information on admissions to substance abuse treatment primarily from facilities that receive some public funding. The 2012 TEDS data presented in this report are based on data received through October 17, 2013, and include data from 14,000 admissions aged 65 and older. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S.

Understanding how multiple contextual challenges can influence substance use will also help health care providers use potentially successful interventions to address substance use (Varcoe et al., 2018). To promote ethical and optimal health care for older populations, factors such as social determinants, risk behaviours and environments, and health and social care aspects need to be addressed in a comprehensive and contextual assessment of substance use. People with problematic substance use often do not seek health care because they face significant stigma from health care providers. This is because a common societal value surrounding substance use is that the best outcome for people and society is abstinence from drugs (Varcoe et al., 2018). This stems from the assumption that people are responsible for and equipped with adequate resources to assume responsibility for their own health; these assumptions downplay the various intersecting factors influencing individuals’ health, behaviours, and ability to abstain (Varcoe et al., 2018).

Treatment Planning

If they are taking several prescription drugs for different health conditions at once, it would be very helpful to write down the doses and administration times in big letters on a sheet and put it up where they will see it, like on the fridge. Let them know they should always turn to their loved ones and a doctor if they feel like they’ve become dependent on a particular medicine or other substance. Older adults and seniors who abuse alcohol or prescription drugs face a higher risk of developing illnesses like osteoporosis, ulcers, diabetes II, irritable colon, varicose veins, conditions of the small or large intestine, and chronic bladder inflammation. These are not to be underestimated, as they can progress swiftly at this age. In particular, irritable colon and bladder inflammation have been linked to colon cancer in persons over 60.

• Decide whether other conditions are present that need to be addressed during treatment.
• In addition, many older adults have binge drinking issues (five or more standard drinks in one sitting).
• Support groups are vital for older adults suffering from substance abuse issues.
• Brief assessment helps make or rule out diagnoses and aids you and your clients in making appropriate shared treatment decisions.
• Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5
  The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5419 (PC-PTSD-5) is a five-item questionnaire that identifies clients likely to have PTSD.
• However, when combined with alcohol, illicit substances, or addictive prescription drugs, they may metabolize differently in the body and cause adverse effects.

The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content. If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at [email protected]. Physicians rely on the criteria outlined by the DSM to diagnose https://ecosoberhouse.com/ substance abuse disorder in the general population. That is perhaps the main reason for misdiagnosis and lack of treatment of seniors – these criteria are less relevant to them. Unfortunately, there’s no 100% way to be sure, but there are signs a loved one may be abusing that one can look out for.

Prescription Drug Abuse​

The client appears to be at risk for harm because of current substance use. Use positive language to urge them to continue using substances appropriately. A “yes” response on one or more questions (other than on Question 1) is considered a positive screen. Share resources and information with substance abuse in older adults clients as needed to keep them safe and feeling supported. Some people naturally feel more comfortable sharing information in writing than verbally. Have paper-and-pencil or computerized self-report trauma measures on hand for clients who would rather not take part in a clinical interview.

At present, SUD treatment for older adults is based on clinical experience and on studies conducted in younger populations, as most clinical trials for SUD tend to exclude older adults (Blanco et al., 2008; Blanco et al., 2015; Okuda et al., 2010). An important future direction will be to expand the evidence-base for the treatment of older adults. This could include new clinical trials with less restrictive inclusion criteria, use of electronic medical records and observational studies, and simulations, as well as a combination of all these approaches (Blanco et al., 2017). Societal norms tend to reinforce the perception that older adults do not have SUD (Kuerbis and Sacco, 2013).

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Dominant sociopolitical values create structural conditions, or broad structures and beliefs in society, that shape life opportunities, access to resources, and societal positioning. For example, the relationship between comorbid health conditions and substance use among older adults has been relatively understudied (Millar, Starks, Gurung, & Parsons, 2017). Older adults make up a large percentage of hospitalized inpatients; they have a high burden of comorbid health conditions and mental health issues, for which problematic substance use is usually ruled out as a cause. However, older adults may be wrongfully diagnosed with cognitive impairment or aggressive violent behaviour without assessing the root causes of these behaviours. Because substance use may more likely affect younger age groups, the older adult population is not usually the focus of conversations around problematic substance use and thus may not get the care they require, often leading to age discrimination.