Substance Use in Aging: Recognizing & Treating Addictive Disorders in Older Adults-View Presentation

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Video Summary

Dr. Lou Treveson, a clinical professor of psychiatry, discusses substance-related and addictive disorders in older adults. The presentation covers the prevalence, signs, and symptoms of substance use disorders in older Americans, focusing on the baby boomer generation. It highlights substances like tobacco, alcohol, opioids, cannabis, sedatives, and muscle relaxants as significant issues. The presentation notes that alcohol use is increasing among older adults due to factors like COVID-19-related isolation. Dr. Treveson emphasizes the importance of differentiating between misuse and disorders and discusses various screening tools for tobacco, alcohol, and drug misuse, such as the Audit C, CAGE, and the Cannabis Use Disorder Test. For treatment, age-specific interventions, including psychosocial and pharmacological therapies, are recommended. Nicotine replacements, bupropion, and varenicline are effective in treating tobacco use. Psychosocial treatments like cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing are also beneficial. For individuals with cognitive decline who are unable to participate in standard programs, the need for customized care and possible care coordination challenges are addressed.

Keywords

substance-related disorders

older adults

baby boomer generation

screening tools

age-specific interventions

psychosocial therapies

cognitive decline

care coordination