According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs is one of the fastest-growing health problems in the U.S. among older adults. Drinking alcohol can have many negative effects in older adults such as (1) worsening existing health problems; (2) interacting negatively with medications; and (3) exacerbating and masking comorbidities. Moreover, older adults have increased sensitivity to alcohol/drugs and increased risk for drug interactions. Nonetheless, myths and stereotypes about alcohol use and older adults abound. This presentation will provide a state-of-the-art overview of issues relevant to service providers working with older adults who may be at risk for negative health consequences as a result of alcohol use, including barriers to identification, screening, prevention, intervention, and treatment. The prevention technique of brief intervention and its recent successful application to at-risk older drinkers will be highlighted. This technique uses non-confrontational methods to motivate the older adult to modify their behavior. The approach is based on cognitive-behavioral motivational interviewing techniques which emphasize personal choice and responsibility for change, focus on eliciting the older adult's own concerns, and include the negotiation of drinking goals. Both knowledge and tools will be provided to use brief interventions in a variety of settings serving older adults.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Understand the pertinent issues in alcohol problems in older adulthood. 2. Know when and how to perform brief alcohol interventions with older adults who are at-risk drinkers. 3. Describe the key components of motivational interviewing techniques.
Keywords: Aging, Alcohol Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention; Staying Healthy Project
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.