Treating Substance Use Disorders and Related Comorbidities in Older Adults
1–2 PM Eastern | 10–11 AM Pacific
Also available on demand Aug 14 – Oct 11, 2026
Includes one complimentary Continuing Education (CE) credit.
Continuing Education Credits:
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- California Professional Fiduciaries Bureau
- National Academy of Certified Care Managers
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
- National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
- New York State Education Department
- Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Substance use disorder (SUD) among older adults is rising and often goes unrecognized due to coexisting health conditions and common misconceptions. This webinar examines how substance use presents in aging populations, including the physiological impact of alcohol, prescription medications, and illicit drugs on the older body. Participants will gain practical insight into distinguishing SUD from coexisting physical and mental health conditions and applying age-appropriate treatment strategies. Attendees will also learn how to address common myths that delay care and how to improve access to effective, equitable interventions for older adults.
Participants in this webinar will be able to:
- Recognize how substance use disorder presents in older adults, including the impact of alcohol, medications, and drugs on the aging body.
- Identify cultural myths that complicate identification and diagnosis of SUD and co-occurring conditions.
- Apply age-appropriate treatment approaches to support timely, equitable care for older adults with SUD.
Presenters:
Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP is the Chief Clinical Officer for the Hanley Foundation. He is a clinically trained chaplain, therapist, and health scientist. He served as a field editor for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2020 update of Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 26, Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.
Accessibility:
Closed captions are available for live and on-demand courses within specific browsers. Click here to see how to access and turn on the browser setting. If you still need to request speech-to-text captioning during this event, please contact us at least 5 business days prior to the live webinar so we may accommodate your needs.