Substance use, misuse, and abuse among older adults: implications for clinical mental health counsel

Psychologist

1.00 - CE credit hours training

$6.25 - Cost of course

This page contains important information about the course, including training details, a comprehensive course description, learning objectives, and source references. We encourage you to review each section to gain a clear understanding of the course content, educational goals, and supporting materials before beginning your training and taking the POST TEST below.

Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

Substance use, misuse, and abuse among older adults: implications for clinical mental health counsel

Course Training

Follow the link below, read the material and then take the 6 question post test

Read the Course Material:
Substance use, misuse, and abuse among older adults: implications for clinical mental health counsel

Post Test

6 Questions

1. From "Introduction": The article reports that substance abuse amongst adults 50 and older will _________ by 2020.

a. increase 50% b. double c. increase by 150% d. triple

2. From "Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Misuse in Older Adults": The authors note that underdiagnosis of alcoholism and other drug dependence in older adults is common. Which factor(s) do they cite for this?

a. Similarities with age-related symptoms b. The stigma associated with dependence c. Older adults are not routinely or systematically screened for substance abuse in most primary care settings d. A and C e. A and B

3. From "Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Misuse in Older Adults": The authors cite several factors that put aging adults at higher risk for prescription drug addiction. Which of the following is NOT cited?

a. Seniors consume more medication than any other age group. b. The birth cohort of seniors had high rates of illicit drug use in youth. c. Easier access to prescription medication. d. B and C e. All of the above

4. From "Counseling Considerations and Approaches": The authors discuss challenges to diagnosing substance use disorders in older adults. One challenge they point to is that many diagnostic criteria for substance dependence may not apply or may mimic signs of physical or mental impairment common in older adults.

a. True b. False

5. From "Counseling Considerations and Approaches": The authors report that effective treatment for older adults with substance use disorders does not need to be age-specific.

a. True b. False

6. From "Counselor Training and Research": The authors note that well-trained counselors should be aware of and sensitive to substance-related signs and symptoms among older adults. For example, substance-related symptoms that mimic symptoms of:

a. falls and accidents. b. depression. c. stroke. d. malnutrition. e. All of the above

Course Description

Improve your practice with this course on substance use, misuse, and abuse among older adults. The expected rise in substance use disorders among older adults points to the need for clinical mental health counselors to address this demographic with more knowledge. While use of illicit drugs in older adults is much lower than among other adults, it is currently increasing. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual nationally representative study of the U.S. population ages 12 and older, show that drug use among adults ages 65 and older increased from 19.3 percent in 2012 to 31.2 percent in 2017 (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2019). This article (a) discusses the prevalence, vulnerabilities, and consequences of misuse and abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit substances; b) reviews age-specific counseling considerations and approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention; and (c) calls for more attention to the subject in training and research.

Learning Objectives

Describe the prevalence, vulnerabilities, and consequences of misuse and abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit substances among older adults.
Identify counseling considerations and approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for older adults with substance use disorders.

Source

Wanda P. Briggs, Ph.D.
Winthrop University

Virginia A. Magnus, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Pam Lassiter, Ph.D.
Amanda Patterson, LMHC
Lydia Smith, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina Charlotte

Psychologist