When Our Clients Age: Adapting Drug User Health for Older Adults

LIVE WEBINAR | JUNE 16, 2026 | 12:00pm EASTERN

Substance use among older adults is rising—and too often, it goes unseen. Adults over 55 now experience the highest fatal overdose rates in Maryland, yet screening, recognition, and tailored care for this population remain limited.

This webinar will help participants build practical skills for assessing and supporting older clients, including those with long-term substance use histories. Participants will explore how aging changes the way drugs affect the body, why overdose risk increases, and how common signs of substance use may present differently in older adults. The session also focuses on adapting drug user health strategies to be responsive, respectful, and stigma-free for an aging population.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe current trends in substance use among older adults
• Recognize how aging affects drug metabolism and overdose risk
• Identify common signs of substance use in older adults
• Apply drug user health strategies tailored to an aging population
• Identify opportunities for engagement without stigma