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Substance Abuse and Older Adults
Resource List
Organizations and Internet Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Internet: www.samhsa.gov
Phone: 240-276-2000
SAMHSA ensures that quality substance abuse and mental health services are available
to the people who need them and that prevention and treatment knowledge is used more
effectively in the general health care system. This site also links to treatment and
educational resources, current research and statistics, and a searchable database of
interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use
disorders.
SAMHSA National Treatment Referral Services
Internet: findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Phone: 800-662-4357
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator is SAMHSA’s web-based searchable
directory of alcohol and drug abuse programs located around the country. The SAMHSA
National Helpline provides confidential alcohol and drug information and treatment
referral assistance via telephone.
SAMHSA National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
Internet: ncadi.samhsa.gov
Phone: 877-726-4727
This SAMHSA electronic communication system is dedicated to exchanging ideas and
information concerning alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug problem prevention. A number
of publications listed below may be obtained electronically or paper copies mailed free of
charge, as well as pocket screening tools, desk references, and other provider resources.
SAMHSA Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical
Assistance Center
Internet: www.samhsa.gov/OlderAdultsTAC/
Phone: 888-281-8010
The Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
partners with state and federal agencies and community health providers to provide
technical assistance to reduce the risk for and incidence of later-life substance abuse and
mental health issues. The Center provides information, training and direct assistance.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Internet: www.niaaa.nih.gov
Phone: 301-443-3860
NIAAA supports, conducts, and disseminates biomedical research on the causes,
consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.
Hazelden Foundation
Internet: www.hazelden.org
Phone: 800-257-7810
Hazelden is a nonprofit organization providing high-quality, affordable rehabilitation,
education, prevention, professional services, and publications regarding chemical
dependency and related disorders.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Internet: www.nia.nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-1752
The NIA is committed to improving the health of older people and supports, conducts,
and disseminates research about the aging process, age-related diseases, and the special
problems and needs of the aged.
American Society on Aging (ASA)
Internet: www.asaging.org
Phone: 800-537-9728
ASA is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of
people working with older adults and their families. ASA offers publications, resources,
and a free web-based training program designed to educate about key issues related to
alcohol and medication use, misuse and abuse in later life.
Publications and Written Resources
Blow, F.C. (Consensus Panel Chair) (1998). Substance Abuse Among Older Adults.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 26. Rockville, MD: Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Available online: ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/BKD250/ or order free at NCADI (above)
This TIP presents treatment providers and other health care professionals with practical
advice for identifying, screening, assessing, and treating substance abuse among people
60 and older. The TIP details how disorders typical in an aging person, such as dementia
and delirium, can mask or mimic the effects of alcohol and prescription drug abuse.
Elderly-specific screening and assessment instruments are included, along with
adjustments to the DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse and dependence.
Barry, K.L., Oslin, D., & Blow, F.C. (2001). Alcohol Problems in Older Adults:
Prevention and Management. New York Springer Publishing Company.
Hands-on text designed for use in a range of primary and mental health care settings.
State-of-the-art, practical materials to detect, prevent, and intervene with older adults who
are at-risk and problem drinkers. This manual includes guides to alcohol screening,
protocols for managing withdrawal care and an English/Spanish Health Promotion
Workbook for Older Adults.
SAMHSA (2003). Get Connected! Toolkit: Linking Older Adults With Medication,
Alcohol, and Mental Health Resources. SAMHSA, Rockville, Maryland. Available
online: ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16523 or
order free at NCADI (above)
This kit is designed to enable older adult service providers to undertake health promotion,
advance prevention messages and education, and provide screening and referral for
mental health problems and the misuse of alcohol and medications. The kit includes a
coordinator's guide and program support materials such as education curricula, fact
sheets, handouts, forms, and resources.
Bartels, S.J., Blow, F.C., Brockmann, L.M., & Van Citters, A.D. (2005). Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Among Older Americans: The State of the Knowledge and
Future Directions. Older American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical
Assistance Center, SAMHSA, Rockville, Maryland. Available online:
www.samhsa.gov/OlderAdultsTAC/SA_MH_%20AmongOlderAdultsfinal102105.pdf
This report reviews prevalence of substance abuse and mental health problems among
older adults and the impact on health and well-being for this population. This paper
outlines currently available services, services needed, cost and reimbursement issues, and
a rationale for prevention and early intervention.
Blow, F.C., Bartels, S.J., Brockmann, L.M., & Van Citters, A.D. (2006). EvidenceBased Practices for Preventing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Problems in
Older Adults. Older American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical
Assistance Center, SAMHSA, Rockville, Maryland. Available online:
www.samhsa.gov/OlderAdultsTAC/EBPLiteratureReviewFINAL.pdf
This review highlights prevention and early intervention programs that have proven
effectiveness. This report describes the current terminology of prevention programs and
practices and provides a comprehensive review of the published evidence base for the
prevention and early intervention of alcohol misuse, medication misuse, depression and
anxiety, suicide, and co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems among
older adults.
Blow, F.C., & Barry, K.L. (2002). Use and Misuse of Alcohol Among Older Women.
Alcohol Research & Health, 26(4), 308-315. Available online:
pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-4/308-315.htm
This article examines alcohol use among older women, related risk factors and beneficial
effects, screening methods to detect alcohol problems in this population, and treatment
and prevention approaches.
Gurnack, A., Atkinson, R., & Osgood, N. (2002). Treating Alcohol and Drug Abuse in
the Elderly. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
The primary focus of the volume is on practical treatment. Case examples, included in
each chapter, present client variables, the intervention process and "best practice"
protocols. Various treatment approaches are described, including cognitive-behavioral,
self-management, time-limited, and pharmacological. Tobacco and gambling addictions,
which are often comorbid with alcohol and drug misuse, are also addressed.
Colleran, C., & Jay, D. (2002). Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome
Alcohol or Medication Dependence. Center City, Minnesota: Hazelden.
This book provides a respectful, definitive guide for recognizing and addressing
substance abuse among older adults. Key topics include: understanding the relationship
between aging and addiction, finding help for a loved one, and recognizing the treatment
needs of older adults.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (1998). Alcohol and Aging –
Alcohol Alert No. 40. Available online: pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa40.htm
This Alcohol Alert reviews research on the extent of alcohol consumption and associated
problems among the elderly.
Korper, S.P., & Council, C. L. (Eds.) (2002). Substance Use by Older Adults: Estimates
of Future Impact on the Treatment System (DHHS Publication No. SMA 03-3763,
Analytic Series A-21). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
Available online: www.oas.samhsa.gov/aging/cov.htm or order free at NCADI (above)
This report provides evidence concerning the projected demand for substance abuse
treatment services for older Americans over the next 20 to 30 years.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
(2006). Drug and Alcohol Services Information System Report: Older Adult Alcohol
Admissions 2003. SAMHSA, Rockville, Maryland. Available online:
www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/olderAdultsTX/olderAdultsTX.htm
This report examines trends in admissions of adults aged 50 or older to publicly funded
substance abuse treatment facilities, using data from the 2003 Treatment Episode Data
Set.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
(2005). National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Substance Use Among Older
Adults 2002 and 2003 Update. SAMHSA, Rockville, Maryland. Available online:
www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/olderadults/olderadults.htm
This report contains research findings regarding prevalence of cigarette, alcohol and
illicit drug use among older adults, reporting results from the 2002 and 2003 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
(2005). Drug and Alcohol Services Information System Report: Older Adults in
Substance Abuse Treatment 1995-2002 Trends. Available online:
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/olderAdultsTX/olderAdultsTX.htm
This report examines trends in admissions of adults aged 55 or older to publicly funded
substance abuse treatment facilities, using data reported to the Treatment Episode Data
Set from 1995 to 2002.
Beresford, T. & Gomberg, E. (1995). Alcohol and Aging. New York: Oxford
University Press.
Comprehensive text designed for clinicians dealing with diagnosis, treatment, related
cognitive disorders, biology and biochemistry and special populations.
Gurnack, A. (Ed.) (1997). Older Adults’ Misuse of Alcohol, Medicines, and Other
Drugs: Research and Practice Issues. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
A compendium of chapters written for the professional offering the latest thinking on
alcohol and drug misuse in later life. This book deals with the epidemiology, diagnosis
and treatment of alcoholism in older adults and includes articles on dementia, drug
interactions and problems related to the nursing home setting.
Kraft, M. (1990). Chemically Dependent Older Adults: How Do We Treat Them?
Center City, Minnesota: Hazelden.
This work focuses on treatment of the elder dependent person, providing an overall view
of the treatment process.