Seasoned and Struggling: Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults
Substance use in older adults — alcohol, prescription medications, and increasingly cannabis — is among the most under-detected clinical problems in geriatric mental health. This course teaches counselors to screen, assess, and treat substance use disorders in older adults using validated tools and age-adapted evidence-based interventions.
2
CE Hours
3
Modules
15
Quiz Questions
1
Est. Minutes
What you'll learn
- Explain the pharmacological changes of aging that increase the impact of alcohol and psychoactive medications in older adults
- Differentiate early-onset and late-onset substance use trajectories in older adults and their respective treatment implications
- Apply age-validated screening instruments including the SMAST-G and AUDIT to identify hazardous substance use in older adult clients
- Implement evidence-based interventions including FRAMES brief intervention, Motivational Interviewing, and benzodiazepine tapering protocols with older adults
- Address co-occurring mental health conditions, family enabling dynamics, and culturally informed treatment planning in geriatric substance use care
Who it's for
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC/LPCC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Psychologists, Counselors working in geriatric, hospital, or community mental health settings
Approval & credit
CounselorReady is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7760). This course awards 2 NBCC-approved CE hours; a certificate is issued on completion. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CounselorReady is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.