PCSS-MAUD Webinar: Alcohol Use Disorder in Late Life-Slide Materials

Slide Materials

Pdf Summary

The "Alcohol Use Disorder in Late Life" webinar, conducted by healthcare professionals Louis Trevisan, MD, and Roberto D. Sanchez, DO, aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare providers to identify and treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults. Sponsored by Providers Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS-MAUD) and funded by SAMHSA, the webinar follows evidence-based educational standards, ensuring unbiased content free of conflicts of interest. <br /><br />A key focus is the Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, which represents the largest cohort of older individuals in U.S. history. This group displays higher rates of early-life substance use compared to previous generations and a higher tendency to continue these habits into later life. The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) in older adults has more than doubled from 2007 to 2020, with alcohol as the most misused substance.<br /><br />Physical, mental, and social risk factors contribute to alcohol misuse in older adults, including chronic pain, financial stress, and personal loss. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated alcohol usage, particularly among those with a history of depression or existing social isolation. AUD is often underdiagnosed in older adults, partly due to ageist assumptions and overlooked symptoms resembling typical aging processes or other conditions like depression.<br /><br />The webinar emphasizes the importance of regular screening for AUD. Tools such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test – Geriatric (MAST-G) are validated methods for early detection. Psychosocial interventions and pharmacologic treatments, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, are discussed with guidance tailored for the older adult population. Participants are encouraged to refer to age-appropriate and empathetic care programs for effective outcomes.

Keywords

Alcohol Use Disorder

Older Adults

Baby Boomer Generation

Substance Use Disorders

Screening Tools

Psychosocial Interventions

Pharmacologic Treatments

COVID-19 Impact

Healthcare Providers

SAMHSA