Treating Substance Misuse in Older Adults

By 2022, 1 in 11 adults over the age of 60 had a substance use disorder. Older adults struggling with substance use are often overlooked and undertreated, despite the associated risks. This article aims to describe the patterns, risk factors and motivations for substance use in older adults. Psychological interventions that can help reduce substance use in older adults is also discussed. Copyright 2025.

After reading the CE Corner article, you will be asked to complete a “Commitment-to-Change” (CTC) exercise. The CTC exercise is designed to help facilitate the translation of your learning into practice. Completion of the CTC is required prior to the completion of the CE Test based on the APA Monitor CE Corner article.

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Describe patterns of substance use in older adults, including trends and risk factors.
• Explain how cannabis use has shifted in adults ages 65 and older, and what research says about the risks and motivations for use.
• List psychological interventions that can help reduce substance misuse and describe how they can be adapted for older adults.

Zara Abrams