Older Adult Substance Use Treatment First-Time Admissions Between 2008 and 2018

•What is the primary question addressed by this study?This study describes the trends between 2008 and 2018 of first-time admissions to substance use treatment for older adults (55 years and older).•What is the main finding of this study?The proportion of older adult admissions increased between 2008 and 2018 relative to younger adults. The first-time admissions with heroin as primary substance changed from 10% to 22% in this period.•What is the meaning of the finding?Given these trends in substance use and treatment among older adults, substance use treatment programs must adapt to meet the needs of an older population.