Products and Resources Catalog

More than 13.6 million adults over the age of 50 met the criteria for a substance use disorder in 2022. Yet substance use among this population remains underrecognized and has historically not been a priority population for many prevention professionals. This product explains the scope and causes of substance use among older adults, including the role of the social determinants of health. It also emphasizes the importance of screenings to identify older adults at risk for substance use.

  There is growing concern among prevention specialists and public health officials regarding older adults and substance use, misuse, and increasing substance use disorders. Substance use in older adults is complicated and is often overlooked, especially when individuals are experiencing other aging related health conditions. While the number of older adults experiencing substance use disorders dramatically increased in the last 20 years, prevention services have not been tailored to the needs of older adults. This webinar will highlight the growing problem, approaches to understanding the older adult population in your community, and available strategies. Additionally, we will hear directly from preventionists who are implementing programming with this population.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe how to assess the prevention needs of older adults in your community. Identify strategies to prevent substance misuse and promote the health and well-being of older adults. Understand approaches and barriers to engaging older adults in prevention efforts. Develop new partnerships that can work across sectors to engage older adults.   ACCESS OR DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS: Presentation Recording, April 25, 2024 Presentation Slides, April 25, 2024   PRESENTER: Chuck Klevgaard, CSPS  Chuck Klevgaard is a nationally recognized expert in substance misuse prevention, public health, and school-based health. Drawing on his experience in collective impact and prevention-focused partnerships, he builds the capacity of states, tribes, schools, communities, and cities to use evidence-based substance misuse prevention and intervention strategies. He specializes in behavioral health support; training and technical assistance; and evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and substance misuse programs and policies. Nationwide, he provides trainings to prevent opioid overdose, including working with first responders to administer naloxone. As a consultant to Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center, Klevgaard provides training and technical assistance to substance misuse prevention entities within the Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Klevgaard, a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc., holds a BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead.   The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.  

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 17th episode of our weekly podcast: Walking in Wellness. This series is dedicated to empowering prevention professionals like you with the mindset and skill set necessary to prioritize wellness...every day. This weekly podcast can be accessed via Soundcloud or Spotify. Be sure to follow or subscribe to have episodes delivered weekly!   

RECORDING: Older Adults: Substance Misuse Trends and Prevention Strategies A recent study designed to project the number of people aged 50 years or older with substance use disorder predicted that by 2020 the total would be 5.7 million.  Increases are projected for all examined gender, race, and ethnicity groups.  As the population of older adults has risen, so has the rate of SUD and the diseases and injuries associated with misuse and disorders. This webinar will provide critical information for prevention professionals to allocate resources and develop prevention approaches to address future needs of the US older adult population and this rapidly emerging public health issue.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify trends in misuse among older adults including related consequences Describe factors that place older adults at risk List prevention strategies shown to be effective with this population   PRESENTERS:  Chuck Klevgaard, CSPS Chuck Klevgaard is a nationally recognized expert in substance misuse prevention, public health, and school-based health. Drawing on his experience in collective impact and prevention-focused partnerships, he builds the capacity of states, tribes, schools, communities, and cities to use evidence-based substance misuse prevention and intervention strategies. He specializes in behavioral health support, training and technical assistance, and evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and substance misuse programs and policies. As a consultant to Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center, Klevgaard provides training and technical assistance to substance misuse prevention entities within the Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Klevgaard, a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc., holds a BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead.   Stephanie Asteriadis Pyle, PhD, CPS Stephanie Asteriadis Pyle, PhD, CPS, Emeritus is a former Project Manager for the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT).  Dr. Asteriadis Pyle established Nevada’s first substance use disorder library and clearinghouse at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) campus and during her tenure at UNR/CASAT served as the C0-I or PI for 36 grants and contracts for substance use prevention for students at UNR and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) and problem gambling prevention for aging populations in Nevada. Dr. Asteriadis Pyle most recently managed and wrote for the CASAT OnDemand website and blog for five years, synthesizing research for professionals in SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery and related behavioral health fields. She continues to teach CAS 255, an introductory course in substance misuse prevention she has taught face to face or online since 2007.

Engaging LGBT Elders in Prevention Programs Kate Bishop, MSSA October 28, 2020, 1-2 PM EST   COURSE DESCRIPTION The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought increased challenges to older adult populations in several directions. Elders are known to be at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, and are far more likely to face a serious course of the illness if infected. At the same time, isolation itself is a risk factor for physical and mental illness, cognitive deterioration, substance misuse, suicidal impulses, and creates barriers to accessing resources. LGBT Elders are less likely to be partnered or have children than other older adults, and are often estranged from their families of origin. Isolation, already a life-threatening condition, has reached extreme levels in LGBT Elder populations during the pandemic. This webinar will frame the unique challenges of reaching vulnerable LGBT Elders and offer practical strategies for engaging them in needed services, social opportunities, and essential support networks. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Examine the health risks of isolation and the impact of COVID-related barriers on older adults Identify unique challenges often faced by LGBT Elders, as well as unique sources of resilience Explore effective tools to engage older LGBT adults in prevention services and support networks PRESENTER Kate Bishop, MSSA, the Education Coordinator at the LGBT Health Resource Center of Chase Brexton, is a seasoned professional development trainer with expertise in working with LGBTQ populations, sexual and reproductive health care, adolescent development, intimate partner violence, and sexual trauma. She is certified as a trainer through GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) as well as SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). Before joining the Chase Brexton team, she developed the capacity building program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s STAR TRACK Adolescent HIV program, providing cultural responsiveness trainings for agencies that serve sexual minority youth of color. Ms. Bishop holds a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from Hiram College and a Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. HOSTS This training was developed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) task orders (Reference #s 1H79TI080210, 3H79SM081785, and 1H79SP081018) and is for training use only. Learn more about the Central East ATTC, Central East MHTTC, and Central East PTTC. The Central East ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC are managed by The Danya Institute.

Prevention of Substance Misuse in Older Adults Additional Resources What's Happening Around the Region? Epi Corner: Substance Use Among Older Adults

The May 2019 issue of The Dialogue contains articles on: Addiction: co-occurring disorders and drug courts (#mentalhealthmonth); Mental Health: improving organizational effectiveness to better serve older adults (#olderamericansmonth); Prevention: preventing tobacco and vaping use among youth; ORN: drug court alumni support groups; and Spotlight: SAMHSA's National Prevention Week. Additional sections include upcoming training and webinar events, behavioral health observances, new resources, and Region 3 news.   The Dialogue is designed to inform behavioral and mental health professionals of news and upcoming events in the Central East states. This electronic newsletter is disseminated on the first Tuesday of each month. You are encouraged to provide us with any feedback or submit articles and topics for discussion in future issues of the newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive the Dialogue, news, and training announcements, sign up here.