Social Support and Other Wellness Strategies for Older Adults- Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:   This course explores health, wellness, and recovery strategies for older adults who misuse substances.  The course includes a discussion of positive social supports, complementary therapies, continuing care, relapse prevention, and resilience.  The value of an approach that is strengths-based and trauma-informed is emphasized.  The reading is Chapter 7 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 7

Publisher:  SAMHSA

Course Objectives: To enhance professional practice, values, skills, and knowledge by exploring social support and other wellness strategies for older adults in recovery from substance misuse.

Learning Objectives:   Identify strategies for improving social supports for older adults in recovery.  Identify SAMHSA’s eight dimensions of wellness along with wellness activities.  Using developmental theory, describe the tasks and challenges of aging and how such challenges can be addressed.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: September 30, 2025.

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1: People with significant social support tend to
 
 
 
 
2: Which matters more?
 
 
3: When addressing grief with older adults, it is important to remember that
 
 
 
 
4: Strategies for improving social support for older adults in recovery from substance misuse should focus on
 
 
 
 
5: Online technologies can __________ social isolation among older adults.
 
 
6: Using Exhibit 7.2, which of the following is not one of SAMHSA's eight dimensions of wellness?
 
 
 
 
7: Which of the following is a nonconfrontational, respectful approach that can effectively help older adults resolve ambivalence about change and increase motivation to change a target behavior?
 
 
 
 
8: Tai-chi is an example of
 
 
 
 
9: Mindfulness helps people develop open, nonjudgmental attention to ___________ experiences.
 
 
10: A strengths-based approach recognizes that __________ have a great deal of knowledge, experience, practical wisdom, and a wide range of skills and abilities.
 
 
 
 
11: Perhaps the most critical tasks for older adults who misuse substances are to
 
 
 
 
12: Current thinking about continuing care emphasizes
 
 
13: Which of the following does not promote resilience and empower your older clients in recovery from substance misuse?
 
 
 
 
14: Using developmental theory, which of the following are the age-specific tasks of older adulthood?
 
 
 
 
 
15: The trauma-informed care perspective assumes that older clients' presenting issues, behaviors, and emotional reactions may be
 
 

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.

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