Substance Use Disorders in the Geriatric Population: a Review and Synthesis of the Literature of a Growing Problem in a Growing Population

Abstract Purpose of review: Substance use disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in the geriatric population, necessitating an updated understanding of the existing literature. This review aims to describe the epidemiology, special considerations, and management of substance use disorders in older adults. Recent findings: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and PsychINFO databases were searched from their inception through June 2022 using the following keywords: “substance use disorder,” “substance abuse,” “abuse,” “illicit substances,” “illicit drugs,” “addiction,” “geriatric,” “elderly,” “older adults,” “alcohol,” “marijuana,” “cannabis,” “cocaine,”