The Drink Wise, Age Well programme supported people to make healthier choices about alcohol as they age.

The programme was designed to change attitudes, combat stigma and reduce alcohol harm in the over 50s so they can live longer, healthier lives.

To achieve this, the programme focused on four outcomes:

• Raising awareness and changing attitudes about alcohol use in people over 50, influencing community norms about the use of alcohol
• Increasing individual and community resilience in people over 50, reducing alcohol-related harm in this age group
• Helping community service providers...

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a growing issue in adults aged 65 and older in the United States. Older adults are more likely to take prescription medications and experience chronic health problems associated with aging, including chronic pain. These factors, as well as stressors such as grief and loss of independence, may contribute to substance misuse and complicate SUD treatment in older adults. 

NIDA has gathered a selection of resources examining substance use amount older adults.

Substance Use in Older Adults DrugFacts

Saving a “Lost Generation”: The Need to Prevent Drug and...

This factsheet reviews the special problems relating to the detection and treatment of older people with a history of substance misuse and those who are still using substances.

The fact sheet includes a selection of case studies, example questions to ask during assessments, and an overview of treatment options.

This presentation covered the results of a systematic literature review that sought to assess the existing evidence for interventions with people experiencing problematic substance use in later life.

Both Dr Hafford-Letchfield and Ms McQuarrie emphasised that while problematic substance use, especially in social work and social care settings, can be an over-looked or mis-diagnosed problem, older people respond well to interventions, if they are given the right support.

Publication

This guide assists providers in offering treatment to women living with substance use disorders. It reviews gender-specific research and best practices, such as common patterns of initial use and specific treatment issues and strategies.