Treating Drug Use and Prescription Medication Misuse in Older Adults (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:    This course explores options for assessing, diagnosing, and treating drug use and prescription medication misuse in older adults.  DSM-5 criteria for SUD are given and include consideration for older adults.  Age-specific treatment options and the SUD treatment continuum of care are examined.  The reading includes Chapter 5 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 5

Publisher:  SAMHSA

Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills, and knowledge by exploring ways to assess, diagnose, and treat drug use and prescription medication misuse in older adults

Learning Objectives:   Describe DSM-criteria for SUD and include considerations for older adults. Identify the continuum of care for older adults with drug use disorder. Describe age-specific SUD treatment for older adults.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.

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1: Many older adults who misuse substances need specialized SUD treatment.
 
 
2: In the next decade, approximately ____________ percent of the US population will be over age 65.
 
 
 
 
3: As the large baby boomer population ages up, drug use and prescription medication misuse will likely
 
 
4: Older adults tend to develop drug use disorders because they are using drugs or misusing prescription medication
 
 
5: The physical dependence potential for Benzodiazepines is
 
 
6: Older adults have __________ ability to metabolize drugs.
 
 
7: Older adults with SUDs have __________ rates of mental disorders and co-occurring health conditions.
 
 
8: Using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria alone may _________ diagnose older adults who have drug use-related and prescription medication misuse-related health and functioning problems.
 
 
9: The SUD treatment continuum of care offers
 
 
 
 
 
10: Let clients choose their preferred treatment method unless they present with
 
 
 
 
11: Which medication carries less risk for overdose?
 
 
12: Which of the following is not recommended for treating chronic pain in older adults?
 
 
 
 
13: Which of the following is not recommended to reduce insomnia in older adults?
 
 
 
 
14: You can adapt standard psychosocial counseling methods for use with older adults by
 
 
 
 
 
15: Age-specific treatment approaches and practices help older adults
 
 
 
 

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.

Treating Drug Use and Prescription Medication Misuse in Older Adults, Course #4596, 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 2 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.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.
Filed under: Addiction, Aging, Clinical, Opioids