Ithaca College
School of Humanities and Sciences

GERONTOLOGY INSTITUTE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Fall 2011 Gerontology Institute Annual Conference has been canceled. Please look for our Spring 2012 Gerontology Institute Workshop Series for more events on this topic. The Fall 2012 Gerontology Institute Annual Conference dates will be published soon.

The New Face of Older Adults: Substance Abuse Diagnoses and Treatment. Its Complexities and Challenges.

Conference Overview

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified the abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and illicit drugs as a “hidden epidemic” in the expanding older adult population. For some older adults, substance abuse has been a way to cope with problems for much of their lives. For others, substance abuse, intentional or unintentional, is triggered by the many losses and changes that occur in later life.

A variety of social issues, along with medical and cognitive comorbidities make diagnoses and treatment of this age group both complex and challenging. This conference will focus on the barriers to identification and treatment and the need for treatment models which are age specific and respectful of older clients; use a holistic approach that considers psychological, social and medical problems of older adults; and respond to gender differences.