Treating Substance Use in Older Adults

Understanding and managing transference and countertransference is crucial in therapy as these dynamics can deeply impact the therapeutic relationship, influencing both the clinician's objectivity and the client's emotional experience, making it essential for maintaining ethical and effective treatment.

About This Course

This training addresses the unique challenges of treating substance use disorder (SUD) in older adults. It covers the prevalence of substance misuse, with alcohol and prescription medications being the most common, and highlights the need for regular screening to avoid mistaking symptoms for aging. The training introduces evidence-based treatments such as motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and emphasizes the importance of social support and reducing age-related stigma in recovery. Practical assessment tools like SBIRT are also discussed.

Key Learning Objectives:

Key Considerations of Substance Use in Older Adults: Discuss the prevalence and types of substances misused, the impact of aging on tolerance and medication interactions, and the role of ageism and isolation in substance use disorders (SUD).
Assessment and Treatment Goal Formulation: Introduce age-specific screening tools like the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and highlight the importance of adapting assessments to address cognitive and physical health. Outline individualized, strengths-based treatment goals that consider medical history and support systems.
Evidence-Based Treatments for SUD in Older Adults: Highlight therapies such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and age-specific group therapy, emphasizing harm reduction, safe medication use, and social support.

Course admission requirements:

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

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