Substance use disorders in late life: A review of current evidence

Although not as commonly reported as in younger individuals, substance use disorders are not uncommon in late life. Given the growth in the population of older adults in the United States, it is estimated that the number of older adults with a substance use disorders will increase significantly in the future. Available evidence indicates that current diagnostic criteria are less sensitive in identifying substance use disorders in late life compared to younger individuals. It is expected that the development of specialized screening tools and specific diagnostic criteria for older adults will improve the diagnostic accuracy for substance use disorders in late life. Routine screening for substance use disorders and prompt interventions will also improve outcomes in these individuals. Available data indicate that older adults with substance use disorders respond as well as younger adults to treatments, if these treatments are specifically designed for this age group.