The Landscape and Impact of Substance Use among Aging Populations

Substance use and substance use disorder are often overlooked, misunderstood, and/or undertreated in aging populations. According to recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) results, it is estimated that more than 7 million individuals aged 60 or older (“older adults”) were living with a substance use disorder. Older adults experience unique risk factors for substance use challenges, such as multiple medications, social changes, and other life transitions. In addition, signs and symptoms among older adults are often missed, and substance use treatment programs are often unequipped to support older adults. As the baby boom generation enters older adulthood, higher rates of substance use have been observed. It is crucial to provide ongoing substance use education to older adults and their caregivers, including information regarding risk factors, signs and symptoms, mental and physical health consequences, as well as community resources and supports.

This is a virtual training.