Substance Abuse by “Mature” Adults

Is your older patient using or abusing drugs or alcohol? In this video, Louis A. Trevisan, MD, helps to answer frequently asked questions about substance abuse in older adults:

• How can general psychiatrists provide effective intervention when a substance abuse (SA) problem is identified?
• What are the clues that suggest that an older person may be having a substance abuse problem?
• Is there an efficient and effective means of screening older adults who may be at risk for SA-or who may already be abusing alcohol or another agent?
• When is a comprehensive examination for substance abuse warranted?
• How can the general psychiatrist realistically provide effective intervention when a substance abuse problem is identified?

Dr Trevisan is Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He is the Acting Chief of Psychiatry at VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He is certified in addiction and geriatric psychiatry and teaches in both the addiction and geriatric psychiatry fellowships at Yale University.