Intervention practices and older adults' substance abuse

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of practitioners who provided treatment or interventions to older adults with substance abuse problems. The study focused on the intervention and treatment approach methods used by practitioners to treat older adults with substance abuse. Factors that played an integral role in decision making of practitioner intervention tool selection were uncovered. Four themes emerged from the analysis and coding of data collected from interviewing practitioners: (a) Intervention Tool Selection: Assessment and Screening; (b) Practitioner Experience: Outcomes Based Interventions; (c) Practice Method: Older Adults Treatment Approaches; and (d) Practitioners Professional Opinions. The findings of the study indicated practitioners' decision making regarding intervention and treatment approaches were determined from various situational factors and were often not at the discretion of the trained practitioner. It was concluded that practitioners possess the ability to guide appropriate treatment and intervention. Future studies require focus on the patient perspectives to determine treatment effectiveness of chosen intervention methods and outcomes.