Alcohol Use Disorder in Late Life

Alcohol Use Disorder in Late Life 

Host: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry 

Recorded: May 8, 2025

Enduring Training

Overview 

This webinar offers a comprehensive exploration of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults, equipping learners with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective identification and treatment. The session highlights the national prevalence and evolving trends of AUD in this population, as well are reviewing key signs and symptoms that differentiate AUD from typical age-related changes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Learners will review validated screening tools tailored for late-life use, gaining insights into their application in clinical practice. Additionally, the webinar will evaluate the effectiveness of at least two psychosocial interventions, and provide guidance on selecting and implementing evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments to improve outcomes for older adults with AUD.

 The target audience for this Introductory level webinar includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, researchers, and students.

 This activity addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care, Medical Based Knowledge, Practice Based Learning.

Learning Objectives 

Upon completion, learners will be able to: 

1. Analyze national data to determine the prevalence and trends of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults.
2. Identify at least five key signs and symptoms of AUD in older adults, distinguishing them from typical age-related changes.
3. Review validated screening tools for AUD in late life, including their purpose, key features, and appropriate use in clinical settings.
4. Evaluate at least two psychosocial interventions for AUD in older adults, measuring effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. 
5. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply appropriate evidence-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for older adults with AUD. 

Registration

This education is made available for free to all learners through grant funding by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant number 1H79TI086771-01 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Cancellations

All cancellation requests must be made in writing to pcss@ASAM.org within 90 days of registration. Automatic cancellations and notifications will be made for any course with a live-activity component that has been cancelled.

Registration Deadline: 08/30/2027

Close Access Date: 09/30/2027

Instructions

Instructions

1. Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity. 
2. Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window. 
3. Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM e-Learning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.

Need Assistance?

For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please check the FAQ page, or contact pcss@asam.org.

Accreditation & Credit Designation Statements

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses

This activity awards 4 Nursing contact hours.

Pharmacy

This activity will offer 4 pharmacy contact hours (4 CEUs). Pharmacists will be asked to provide identifying information (e-Profile ID and DOB in MMDD format) in order to receive credit and allow reporting to CPE Monitor. (UAN: JA0000141-0000-24-001-H99-P)

PAs

ASAM has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 4 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 11/12/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Social Workers

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, ASAM is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 4 general continuing education credits.

IPCE Credit

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 4 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

National Board for Certified Counselors ACEP

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE)

This educational program is approved by CAADE: #CP40 999 1225.

California Association of DUI Treatment Centers (CADTP)

This educational program is approved by CADTP: #205.

California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

This educational program is approved by CCAPP: #OS-20-330-1224.

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)

Upon completion of the activity and online evaluation, all other participants may request a certificate of participation. Participants may submit this certificate of participation to their professional organization/institute as documentation for completing this accredited continuing activity.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or Continuing Certification Programs (CCP)

This activity meets the requirements for MOC/CCP for the following primary physician boards and for state licensing CME requirements. MOC Credit is only reported for ABA, ABP, ABIM, and ABS. By completing the online credit application and evaluation, the learner permits ASAM to report credits to the appropriate Board. Learn more.

• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
• American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
• American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
• American Board of Surgery (ABS)
• American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
• American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM)
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
  • Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all CME/CE activities. These policies include mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for the Planning Committees and Presenters. All activity Planning Committee members and Presenters have disclosed all financial relationship information. The ASAM CE Committee has reviewed these disclosures and determined that the relationships are not inappropriate in the context of their respective presentations and are not inconsistent with the educational goals and integrity of the activity.
Planning Committee and CE Reviewer Disclosures