Navigating the Complexities of Opioid Use Disorder in Aging Adults: Comorbid Psychiatric Diagnoses and Changing DEA Regulations-View Presentation

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Video Summary

Dr. Donna Rowland, the Program Director at UT Austin School of Nursing, introduces a webinar on opioid use disorder (OUD) and its complexities, particularly regarding comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in older adults and changing regulations. The session, eligible for professional credits, features speaker Melissa Rivera, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Rivera's presentation delves into identifying common comorbidities with OUD, focusing on older adults who are increasingly affected. She discusses the "aging population," categorizing them into 'young old,' 'old,' and 'oldest old,' noting a rise in severe mental illnesses and OUD within these groups. Older adults with OUD often deal with more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than their younger counterparts.<br /><br />Rivera emphasizes the physiological changes in older adults, which affect opioid pharmacokinetics, leading to heightened sensitivity and potential adverse effects like respiratory depression. Also discussed are trends in opioid prescriptions, highlighting a rise in chronic pain diagnoses in the elderly and a preference for strong opioids without trying weaker analgesics. The webinar also covers new DEA requirements since the MATE Act of 2021, aiming to broaden prescriber education and improve access.<br /><br />The session concludes with a Q&A where Rivera shares insights on issues like prescription habits among clinicians for older adults, the potential for opioid dependence, and the lack of outreach specifically targeting older adults with opioid misuse issues.

Keywords

Opioid Use Disorder

Older Adults

Comorbidities

Psychiatric Diagnoses

Opioid Pharmacokinetics

MATE Act 2021

Opioid Prescriptions

DEA Requirements

Aging Population

Melissa Rivera