COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
Interactions with Drugs and Alcohol
• Some combinations may be deadly (e.g.
alcohol and diazepam).
• Increases lithium toxicity and enhances
CNS depression and those taking tricyclic
antidepressants.
• Can be extremely dangerous to mix.
Identification, Screening and
Assessment
• 87% see physicians regularly but 40% of
those at risk do not self-identify or seek
services for substance abuse on their own.
• Are unlikely to be identified by physicians.
Who Should Identify Problem
• Health care workers
• Friends/Family
• Staff of senior centers (drivers/volunteers)
• Therapists
•Clergy
• Anyone involved with this age group.
Barriers to Screening
• Ageist assumptions—failure to recognize
symptoms.
• Lack of knowledge about screening.
• Family members may be biases about the
problem.
• Symptoms may be confused with other
medical conditions. (psudodementia)
• Inappropriate screening procedures
(amount and frequency levels).
Who and When to Screen
• Every 60+ year-old as a part of regular physical
examinations.
• As older patients experience life transitions, stress, or
loss.
Or those who complain about:
• Sleep (changes, fatigue, drowsiness)
• Cognitive impairments (memory, concentration)
• Seizures, or malnutrition
• Liver Function abnormalities
• Poor hygiene
• Blurred vision/Dry mouth
• Slurred Speech
• Frequent Falls/Unexplained bruising.
Introduction of Screening
• Depending on the setting, the topic of
screening can be introduced in a number
of ways.
• Self-Administered and self-scored mass
screenings
• Self-administered but machine-scored
computerized screens
• Nurses, home-health aides, etc. can give a
brief screen by asking typical questions.
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