Sample interview questions: How do you approach the assessment and treatment of older adults with substance-induced disorders?
Sample answer:
- Comprehensive Assessment:
- Conduct a thorough assessment to understand the older adult’s substance-induced disorder, including the type of substance, pattern of use, duration, and severity of the disorder.
- Evaluate the individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health, as well as their social and environmental circumstances.
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Consider potential co-occurring medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, and medication interactions that may impact the assessment and treatment.
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Motivational Interviewing:
- Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to engage the older adult in the assessment and treatment process.
- Help the individual explore their ambivalence about change, understand the consequences of their substance use, and build motivation for recovery.
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Encourage the older adult to set realistic goals for reducing or eliminating substance use.
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Individual and Group Therapy:
- Provide individual therapy sessions to address the older adult’s specific needs, concerns, and barriers to recovery.
- Consider group therapy interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, or peer support groups, to provide additional support and learning opportunities.
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Incorporate evidence-based therapeutic approaches that have been shown to be effective with older adults, such as reminiscence therapy, life review, or mindfulness-based interventions.
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Pharmacological Interventions:
- Collaborate with a physician or psychiatrist to determine if pharmacological interventions are appropriate for the older adult. Read full answer