Pharmacological and Integrated Treatments in Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders
As the number of older adults aged ≥50years rise and requests of treatment for substance use disorders increase, there is an emerging need to identify efficient interventions. Research on pharmacological management of substance abuse among older individuals is scant. Existing evidence is extrapolated from the general population, or relies on results of small clinical trials. Positive examples of integrated treatment approaches need expansion and further validation in larger samples of older individuals to help ensure current and future adequate management of comorbid physical and mental health disorders. Available investigations support the ability of older patients to engage and comply with substance abuse treatment. Future clinical pharmacology trials should enroll older adults rather than exclude them and investigate safety and effectiveness of pharmacological and pharmaco-behavioral combinations to determine the best fit for the treatment of substance use disorders in this group.
