Summary: <p>TIP 26: Addiction Treatment in Older Adults<br> Instructor: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox & Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery<br> Objectives<br> ~ Review the data about substance abuse and gambling issues in older adults<br> ~ Review screening for substance use and mental health disorders in the elderly<br> ~ Identify risk factors for SA and MH issues<br> ~ Review placement and treatment issues specific to older adults</p> <p>Introduction<br> ~ Abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs among adults 60 and older; growing fast<br> ~ Estimated 2.5 million older adults have problems related to alcohol<br> ~ Consume more prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications<br> ~ 2006 New Jersey study indicated 23% of citizens over 55 were disordered gamblers (New Jersey Senior Gamblers Study)<br> ~ Seniors are fastest growing group of gamblers between 1974 and 1989 (Gambling Impact and Behavior Study 1999)<br> ~ A 2008 study reveals that they gamble for<br> ~ Extrinsic reasons include winning money, gaining independence, and supplementing income<br> ~ Intrinsic reasons include entertainment/excitement, being around other people, distraction from everyday problems such as loneliness and boredom, and escaping feelings of grief and loss associated with the death of a loved one or close friend. (Arizona Compulsive Gambling Council)</p> <p>Introduction<br> ~ Among adults over 65 years of age gambling is the most frequently identified social activity (McNeilly & Burke 2001)<br> ~ Reduced cognitive capacity can make it difficult for them to make sound decisions.<br> ~ Older adults living on a fixed income with limited savings can’t necessarily afford the financial drain of a gambling disorder.<br> ~ When you’re younger, maybe you’re $100,000 in debt, but you’ve got your spouse, you’ve got your children, your job; you still have some reason to get up in the morning,” Nower says<br> ~ Because older adults tend to have less contact with friends and family, gambling-related problems may go unnoticed.</p> <p>Introduction<br> ~ Gambling should be identified as a problem when it disrupts, damages, or limits a person’s life<br> ~ Signs of problem gambling are spending more money on gambling than intended; feeling bad, sad, or guilty about gambling; not having enough money for food, rent, or bills; being unable to account for blocks of time; experiencing social withdrawal; and experiencing anxiety or depression.<br> ~ Older adults may try to hide or deny a gambling problem, they may feel hopeless or ashamed about the situation, or they may be unaware that help is available.</p> <p>Alcohol and the Older Adult<br> ~ Age-related changes affecting the way an older person responds to alcohol:<br> 1) Normal decrease in body water that comes with age<br> ~ Same amount can now cause intoxication<br> ~ Increased sensitivity and decrease tolerance<br> 2) Decrease in rate of GI metabolism<br> ~ Blood alcohol level remains raised for a longer time<br> ~ Increased hepatic workload<br> Alcohol and the Older Adult Cont…<br> ~ Trigger or worsen serious problems<br> ~ Heart problems<br> ~ Risk of stroke<br> ~ Cirrhosis and other liver diseases<br> ~ Gastrointestinal bleeding<br> ~ Depression, anxiety and other mental health problems<br> Prescription Drugs<br> ~ Medications interact negatively with alcohol</p> <p>~ Dependence on psychoactive medication</p> <p>~ Misunderstood directions<br> ~ Multiple prescriptions from different doctors; no coordination<br> ~ Unintentional misuse leading to abuse<br> Screening<br> ~ Psychoactive substance use associated with negative central nervous system effects<br> ~ Indications of problematic psychoactive substance use:<br> ~ Diminished psychomotor performance<br> ~ Impaired reaction time<br> ~ Loss of coordination<br> ~ Falls<br> ~ Excessive daytime drowsiness<br> ~ Confusion<br> ~ Ag</p>
