A review highlights the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders in the geriatric population, including cannabis, with unique considerations for diagnosis and management.
Geriatricians, primary care providers, elder care professionals, and older adults concerned about substance use.
Growing prevalenceSubstance use disorders are increasingly prevalent in the geriatric population with unique clinical challenges
What the researchers found
Substance use disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in older adults, with unique challenges in detection, diagnosis, and treatment due to age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, and underrecognition by healthcare providers.
Why it matters
The aging baby boomer generation has higher lifetime substance use rates than previous cohorts, and the intersection of substance use with age-related conditions creates complex clinical scenarios that many geriatric providers are unprepared for.
The numbers in context
The review synthesized literature from PubMed, Ovid, and other databases on epidemiology, special considerations, and management of SUDs in older adults.
How the study worked
Literature review and synthesis of evidence on substance use disorders in the geriatric population.
Who was studied
Older adults (geriatric population) with substance use disorders.
What this study cannot tell us
Older adults are underrepresented in substance use research; screening tools may not be validated for geriatric populations; age-related cognitive decline can confound SUD assessment.
How to read the evidence
Literature review providing comprehensive overview; quality of underlying evidence varies.
When this study was published
Recent review addressing an emerging public health concern.
The bigger picture
As populations age globally and substance use patterns shift, healthcare systems need to adapt substance use screening, treatment, and prevention strategies for older adults who have historically been overlooked.
Replication
Consistent with demographic trends showing increased substance use in aging populations.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- How should SUD screening be adapted for older adults?
- Do current treatment protocols work for geriatric patients?
- How does cannabis interact with common geriatric medications?
Read the original research
Substance Use Disorders in the Geriatric Population: a Review and Synthesis of the Literature of a Growing Problem in a Growing Population.
Current treatment options in psychiatry, 1-20
Citation
Lin, Jenny; Arnovitz, Mitchell; Kotbi, Nabil; Francois, Dimitry. (2023). Substance Use Disorders in the Geriatric Population: a Review and Synthesis of the Literature of a Growing Problem in a Growing Population.. Current treatment options in psychiatry, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-023-00291-9