


Livestream
Effective Treatment Strategies for Older Adults with SUD
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Effective Treatment Strategies for Older Adults with SUD
1.0 CE Hours
Introductory
$0
Information
Date & Time
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Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Identify at least two challenges in recognizing substance use disorders in older adults.
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Explain the treatment components necessary to provide an integrated approach to Older Adult Treatment.
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Identify at least two strategies to effectively treat SUD in older adults.
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is for participants to improve their ability to address the complicated clinical needs of older adults who present with symptoms of SUD.
Description
Adults over the age of 50 are the fastest growing population. As the population continues to age, Substance Use Disorder among older adults has been increasing. There are many challenges in recognizing substance use disorders in the older adult population, as they can be mistaken for other health related challenges. There are also many barriers for older adults to get the specialized treatment they need to be successful. This workshop will cover the dynamics of substance use disorder, aging, co-occurring mental health issues, and cognitive impairment. It will provide potential strategies aimed to effectively treat this population.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters

Diana Santiago, LCSW, CAADC, CCS - Clinical Supervisor, Caron Treatment Centers
Diana Santiago is the Clinical Supervisor in the Older Adult Program at Caron Treatment Centers, providing clinical oversight for the program.
She also does individual, group, and family therapy, runs psychoeducational groups, gives lectures, calls referents and family members, and sets up aftercare for patients. She is a member of Caron’s trauma team, trained in cognitive processing therapy (CPT), a proven modality to treat trauma.
Diana has worked at Caron as a therapist since 2013 in the Women’s Program, Men’s Program, and the Relapse Program, moving into her current role in 2015. Her compassion, knowledge of different therapeutic styles, and ability to challenge patients and families are the foundation of her work.
Prior to Caron, Diana provided therapy at an outpatient treatment center. She has also worked in child protective services and worked with juvenile males with mental health issues and sexually reactive behaviors at a residential treatment program.
She is a licensed clinical social worker through the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors and is credentialed as a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
Diana earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in psychology from Millersville University and her Master of Social Work Degree from Kutztown University.

Devon Dautrich, PhD - Staff Psychologist & Supervisor of Psychological Testing, Caron Treatment Centers
Dr. Dautrich is the supervisor of psychological testing and the Older Adult Program staff psychologist at Caron Treatment Centers. She has extensive training and clinical experience, emphasizing evidence-based, integrative therapeutic approaches and psychological assessment. Dr. Dautrich completed practicum rotations at Drexel University’s Office of Counseling and Health, University of Pennsylvania’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center, and Lenape Valley Foundation’s Acute Partial Hospital Program. Before her roles at Caron, she was a family therapist and peer supervisor on the Bryn Mawr Child Study Institute’s Family Therapy Treatment Team. Dr. Dautrich completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at The Reading Hospital where she provided outpatient psychotherapy and participated in family medicine, partial hospitalization, inpatient hospitalization, and forensic psychology rotations. Dr. Dautrich earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Bryn Mawr College. Her research interests include aging, memory, cognitive rehabilitation, and emotion recognition in older adults.
Financially Sponsored By
- Caron Treatment Centers