In-Service Training – Substance Use in Older Adults

Description: This 90 minute training, Substance Use in Older Adults, will review essential knowledge and skills to address substance use disorder (SUD) in older adults—a population with unique vulnerabilities and often underdiagnosed substance-related issues. Participants will gain insight into the distinct risk factors and prevalence of SUD in aging patients, learn to recognize subtle and atypical signs and symptoms, and explore evidence-based approaches for screening, brief intervention, and treatment. It will review assessment and treatment of withdrawal as well as chronic management of SUD. The session emphasizes clinical best practices for improving outcomes in older adult populations.

Presented by: Nancy Regan-Brooks, MSN, FNP, CNM, CARN-AP, Clinical Nurse Educator for BMC Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance

Learning Outcomes:
In this training, staff will be able to:
Recognize the prevalence of substance use disorder in older adults
Name two risk factors for the development of substance use disorder in older adults
Understand the differences in presentation of withdrawal in older adults
Explore evidence-based approaches for treatment in older adults with substance use disorder