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)

Module Description

(This module was adapted from Brooks, M.K., "Legal and Ethical Issues." Treatment Improvement Protocol 26, Substance Abuse Among Older Adults, Appendix A. Additional information on Internet pharmacies is based on Gandhi, T., and Nguyen-Khoa, B. Internet pharmacies: A practical analysis of the issues. Generations Winter 2000-2001, 75-82.)

This module examines the issues of autonomy and privacy or confidentiality in working with older adults with substance use problems. The first section discusses the relationship between patient or client autonomy and the provider’s obligation to inform and counsel the older individual about the health risks of alcohol or other drug use. The second section concerns privacy of information about substance use problems. The last section discusses legal issues related to Internet pharmacies.