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- Title
Substance Misuse and Abuse in Older Adults: What Do We Need to Know to Help?
- Authors
Blow, Frederic C.; Barry, Kristen L.
- Abstract
With the aging of the baby boom cohort, clinicians in a variety of settings see more older adults who have problems related to substance use-particularly misuse of alcohol and psychoactive prescription medications. The variety of healthcare settings where older adults are seen provide many opportunities for identification, brief interventions, and referral to treatment, where needed. These interventions can be a key to improving the quality of life for many individuals, whatever their age. There is a growing knowledge base of useful screening tools, assessments, and treatments, as well as a better understanding of the existing barriers to timely recognition and appropriate treatment. This article reviews the prevalence of alcohol and psychoactive medication misuse, potential comorbidities, and how to recognize, intervene with, and treat this vulnerable population of older adults.
- Subjects
ALCOHOLISM; ANTIPSYCHOTIC agents; BRIEF psychotherapy; DRUG interactions; DRUGS of abuse; HEALTH behavior; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL screening; PATIENTS; SUBSTANCE abuse; DISEASE prevalence; SEVERITY of illness index; CLASSIFICATION
- Publication
Generations, 2014, Vol 38, Issue 3, p53
- ISSN
0738-7806
- Publication type
Article