The Dangers of Substance Abuse

We know that too much of anything is never good for us. This is especially true when it comes to substances like alcohol and drugs. Substance abuse has very serious and sometimes fatal consequences – not only for us, but for our elders. You have already learned about the risks that alcohol, prescription medications, and marijuana present to older adults. In this lesson, we will dive deeper into how substance abuse affects their physical and mental health, as well as SUD with co-occurring disorders. We will also take into consideration the ceremonial use of substances within the American Indian population.