CONTENTS

Table of Contents
Introduction

1. Overview
2. Recognizing Alcohol Misuse and Abuse in Older Adults
3. Alcohol and Aging
4. Diagnosing Alcohol Problems in Older Adults
5. Recognizing Other Forms of Substance Abuse
6. Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies
7. Treatment
8. Outcomes and Cost Issues in Alcohol Treatment for Older Adults
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Resources

At Any Age, It Does Matter:
Substance Abuse and Older Adults (for Professionals)

Treatment Objectives and Appropriate Approaches

General Objective: Eliminate or reduce substance abuse
General Approaches/Examples

Cognitive-behavioral (group or individual)

• Alcohol (drug) effects education
• Relapse prevention
• Stress management

Group approaches

• Alcohol (drug) effects education

Medical

• Naltrexone, acamprosate (alcohol)

General Objective: Safely manage intoxication episodes during treatment
General Approaches/Examples

Medical

• Remove patient from activities and observe
• Link and refer to detoxification program

General Objective: Enhance relationships
General Approaches/Examples

Cognitive-behavioral (group or individual)

• Social skills and network building

Group approaches

• Social support
• Socialization skills education
• Gender-specific issues

Marital and family approaches

• Spouse counseling
• Marital therapy
• Family therapy

Case management

• Linkage to community social programs
• Home visitation

Individual counseling

• Focus on psychodynamic issues in relationships

General Objective: Promote health
General Approaches/Examples

Medical

• Provide primary medical care

Cognitive-behavioral (group or individual)

• Self-management skills training

Group approaches

• Health education
• Education on nutrition, diet, cooking, shopping, sleep hygiene

General Objective: Stabilize and resolve comorbidities

• Medical
• Psychiatric (e.g., depression, anxiety)
• Sensory deficits

General Approaches/Examples

Medical

• Consultation and special assessments, including medication assessment
• Primary and specialized medical care
• Psychiatric care for chronic mental disorders (by geriatric psychiatrist, if possible)
• Pain management for chronic pain disorders
• Antidepressants, antianxiety medication

Cognitive-behavioral (group or individual)

• Relaxation training

<< Previous Page