Alcoholism and the misuse of prescription drugs are a life-threatening epidemic in older adults. Symptoms of alcoholism and addiction are often misdiagnosed as stereotypical signs of aging such as dementia, depression, disorientation, forgetfulness or confusion amongst adults 55 years of age and older. This online training explores the history of this population and its changes, misrepresentations of the older adult and substance abuse, problems unique to this population and age-specific treatment approaches.

Specific issues addressed include medical and psychiatric signs and symptoms, societies view of the older adult, early and late on-set addiction, outreach, screening, treatment, socialization, after-care support and recovery. Additionally, this program will cover family treatment, age-specific groups and pastoral care including spirituality.

Learning Objectives

• Discover clinical tools to successfully work with an overlooked and misdiagnosed population

• Identify the differences between early and late onset addiction

• Best practices for working with a generation that doesn’t believe in “therapy”

• Special needs for recovery within an aging population

Upon Training Completion

• 3 credit hours for CPS and CPP Section 4

• OASAS approved to satisfy CASAC renewal requirements and CPP/CPS initial/renewal credentialing requirements

• NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, OASAS, certified (#1201)

Mr. Koffler, is a Master Counselor and founder of It’s Never Too Late, a New York State approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. His experience working with chemical dependency in older adults comes from 30 years of treating clients in NYC hospitals.