How do you approach the assessment and treatment of older adults with substance-induced disorders?

Sample interview questions: How do you approach the assessment and treatment of older adults with substance-induced disorders?

Sample answer:

  1. Comprehensive Assessment:
  2. 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.
  3. Evaluate the individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health, as well as their social and environmental circumstances.
  4. Consider potential co-occurring medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, and medication interactions that may impact the assessment and treatment.

  5. Motivational Interviewing:

  6. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to engage the older adult in the assessment and treatment process.
  7. Help the individual explore their ambivalence about change, understand the consequences of their substance use, and build motivation for recovery.
  8. Encourage the older adult to set realistic goals for reducing or eliminating substance use.

  9. Individual and Group Therapy:

  10. Provide individual therapy sessions to address the older adult’s specific needs, concerns, and barriers to recovery.
  11. Consider group therapy interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, or peer support groups, to provide additional support and learning opportunities.
  12. 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.

  13. Pharmacological Interventions:

  14. Collaborate with a physician or psychiatrist to determine if pharmacological interventions are appropriate for the older adult. Read full answer

    Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_0_17/Geropsychologist

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