Treating Alcohol Misuse in Older Adults (3 credit hours)

Program Summary:    This course explores screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options for older adults with AUD.  Screening tools such as AUDIT and SMAST-G are discussed, along with DSM-5 criteria for AUD and considerations for older adults.  AUD treatment approaches such as CBT, PST, TSF, and pharmacological interventions are included.  The reading is Chapter 4 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Readings:  TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults- Chapter 4

Publisher:  SAMHSA

Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills, and knowledge by exploring ways to screen, assess, diagnose, and treat alcohol misuse in older adults.

Learning Objectives:  Compare screening tools for alcohol use among older adults.  Describe DSM-5 criteria for AUD and considerations for older adults.  Identify treatment options for AUD and older adults.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.

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1: Older adults metabolize alcohol _____________ efficiently than younger adults.
 
 
2: Older adults can meet the definition of alcohol misuse at __________ levels of alcohol use than adults younger than 60.
 
 
3: Baby boomers drink ___________ than earlier generations.
 
 
4: Alcohol use can _________ the effects of many co-occurring mental health and health conditions.
 
 
5: AUD is often _________diagnosed in older adults
 
 
6: Baby boomers tend to be _________ accepting than earlier generations of the idea of talking about and seeking help for mental disorders and SUDs.
 
 
7: The consensus panel recommends ___________ screening for older adults for alcohol misuse and alcohol-related problems in all healthcare settings and emergency departments, where older adults are frequently seen.
 
 
8: Which of the following is a shorter, 10-item, validated version of MAST-G?
 
 
 
 
9: For an AUD diagnosis, older adults must have at least 2 out of 11 symptoms listed in the DSM-5, including
 
 
 
 
10: Using age-adjusted DSM-5 criteria and ___________ health-related risk criteria will more accurately gauge severity of AUD.
 
 
 
 
11: Using Exhibit 4.4, which of the following is a social risk factor related to alcohol misuse in late life?
 
 
 
 
12: Older men and women who participate in alcohol treatment have _________ outcomes than younger adults.
 
 
13: In the mnemonic "FRAMES," M stands for
 
 
 
 
14: If clients are already motivated to change their drinking, exploring their mixed feelings can accidentally lead to
 
 
15: CBT for AUD focuses on
 
 
 
 
16: Using Exhibit 4.8, which of the following is the antecedent?
 
 
 
 
17: When you work with older adults, remember that
 
 
18: Which of the following best describes TSF therapy?
 
 
 
 
19: Which medication triggers an acute physical reaction to alcohol, including flushing, fast heartbeat, nausea, chest pain, dizziness, and changes in blood pressure?
 
 
 
20: Older adults are ________ likely to have delirium (i.e., rapid onset of a confused mental state) during withdrawal.
 
 
21: The CCM provider helps clients access
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22: A key factor in long-term recovery for older adults is
 
 
 
 
23: SMART Recovery is a network of local and online abstinence-focused recovery support groups that is based on principles of
 
 
 
 
24: Using Exhibit 4.9, which clinical interventions are associated with low-risk drinking?
 
 
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

 

Free State Social Work, LLC, provider #1235, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/6/2021 - 9/6/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

Free State Social Work has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP NO. 6605. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Free State Social Work is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Treating Alcohol Misuse in Older Adults, Course #4594, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Free State Social Work, LLC as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 12/08/2022 - 12/08/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.