In 2005, the International Society of Addiction Medicine established a process for physicians to demonstrate expertise in the treatment of addictive disorders. This process of international certification entails demonstration of structured clinical experience in addiction treatment and successful completion of an examination testing candidates’ clinical expertise.
The process was established to meet demonstrated needs in four areas:
1. In recent decades, there has been a remarkable growth in clinical and research expertise in the addiction field across national boundaries. This has yielded important and distinctive contributions from diverse investigators and clinicians.
2. There is a marked shortage of physicians with expertise in the treatment of addictive disorders, and it is important that those with capability in this area be designated in order to facilitate access to them by members of the general public and health care providers.
3. It is important that means of demonstrating expertise be promoted in order to encourage interested physicians to acquire the competency to provide expert clinical care for addictive disorders.
4. Physicians are increasingly turning to ISAM for the opportunity to advance their academic clinical skills, based on empirically demonstrated modalities for care. In order to meet this need, ISAM has provided annual medical-scientific conferences since 2000, an international textbook on addiction treatment, and a peer-reviewed medical journal.
In light of this, ISAM is providing qualified physicians with the opportunity to demonstrate their acquisition of expertise by applying to be considered under this certification process. Such certification will not only validate candidates’ expertise in their respective national settings, but also reflect on their recognition internationally.
Format:
Eligibility Criteria:
This examination is a test of knowledge. While it does not certify clinical skill or competence, it does identify a physician who has demonstrated the degree of knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of substance and other addictions commensurate with expertise in the field.
1. Graduation from a medical school recognized by the World Health Organization.
2. A valid license to practice medicine
3. Good standing in medical community – (3) letters of recommendation including one current ISAM member.
4. Documented medical practice over a 3- year period, continuous, in the addiction field
5. Evidence of Continuing Education
Fees: A money order made payable to the International Society of Addiction Medicine for $800 US (non-ISAM members), $700 US (ISAM members), $725 US (for members of Affiliate Societies) is to be forwarded along with the application material to:
ISAM c/o Dr. el-Guebaly
Foothills Hospital Addiction Centre, 1403 – 29 Street NW, Calgary AB T2N 2T9 Canada
PLEASE NOTE: Rejected applications will be refunded minus a $100 US processing fee.
Next Exam:
Niagara Falls, Canada Oct 18, 2017
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Oct 25, 2017
Objective:
Specific Knowledge and Skills
The field of Addiction Medicine requires knowledge of pharmacology, psychiatry, general medicine, and psychology, as well as an understanding of the interaction of these disciplines. In order to insure that the trainee is well-versed in these areas, training programs must include both hands-on experience in clinical situations as well as classroom and seminar sessions.
1. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of the use of all of the major categories of drugs/psychoactive (mood-altering) substances, including sedatives (alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates), stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine, tobacco), opioids, hallucinogens (marijuana, LSD, PCP) and inhalants (organic solvents, glue)
2. Recognition of the signs of abuse and dependence on these categories of drugs/substances.
3. Recognition of the signs of withdrawal from these major categories of drugs and knowledge and experience with the range of options for treatment of the withdrawal syndrome and its complications.
4. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of overdose and medical and psychiatric sequelae of these major categories of drugs and knowledge of the proper treatment of overdose.
5. Diagnosis of the medical sequelae of addiction, including hepatic, central nervous system, infectious, and HIV illness.
6. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of the psychological, social and spiritual problems accompanying the chronic use, abuse and dependence related to the major categories of drugs and knowledge of the range of management options.
7. Recognition and understanding of the special problems of drug/substance use, abuse and dependence during pregnancy and of the babies born to these mothers.
8. Recognition and understanding of the special problems of drug/substance use, abuse and dependence in target populations such as children and adolescents, women and seniors.
9. Recognition, education and appropriate treatment related to behavioral addictions like gambling, sex and love, internet, work, shopping etc.
10. Recognition, education and appropriate treatment of adjustment disorders and/or other concurrent illness in individuals and their family members
Basic Clinical Exposure
1. Exposure in the clinical context to:
a) patients with substance-related disorders in a community, out-patient setting
b) hospitalized medical and surgical patients with substance-induced disorders and substance use disorders
c) psychiatric patients — inpatient or outpatient — with concurrent substance use disorders, specifically – Substance Abuse
and Substance Dependence, including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
d) families of above patients suffering from adjustment disorders
2. Laboratory assessments
a) biochemical indicators of chronic alcohol/drug use and their complications
b) questionnaire assessments, such as the MAST, AUDIT and CAGE-AID
3. Knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of abuse of each of these categories of agents:
a) depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates
b) opioids
c) cocaine and stimulants
d) marijuana and hallucinogens
e) inhalants like organic solvents, glue
4. Pharmacology of the aforementioned psychoactive/mood-altering substances
5. Types of treatment
a) detoxification
b) medical complications of substance use disorders (including intravenous drug use and its related transmission of infectious
diseases like Hepatitis B, C and AIDS)
c) rehabilitation models based on 12-step programs and other psycho-social-spiritual, behavioral approaches
d) counseling, individual psychotherapy and group psychotherapy
6. Exposure in the clinical context to the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral addictions
Recommended Textbooks and Other Basic References
Basic Textbook
Additional Textbooks
Additional References
