Substance Use in Older Adults

By 2050, 85.7 million people in the United States are projected to be 65 or older. Older adults are especially prone to the effects of substances, and a 2021 survey showed that 4 million older adults were dealing with a substance use disorder. As the country's population ages, clinicians will inevitably have to care for a greater number of older adults with substance use disorders, but the literature on the topic¿and the evidence base for treatment¿is limited. In Substance Use in Older Adults, more than 20 contributors translate their real-world experience in geriatric psychiatry into an accessible, evidence-based guide to screening for and assessing substance use in older adults. Early chapters discuss not only etiology and epidemiology but also comorbidities and management and subsequent sections address the problematic use of specific substances, including ¿ Alcohol¿ Tobacco¿ Opioids¿ Sedatives¿ Stimulants¿ Cannabinoids Readers will find guidance on safe prescribing practices for ol