the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) have joined the effort, as did the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), an independent specialty board.
Some of the highlights from ASAM’s first Addiction Treatment Gap Awareness Week include a Twitter Chat with representatives from the NIAAA and ASAM focused on alcohol [#TreatmentGap], a webinar hosted by medical students associated with the AMSA, and one geared to physicians who may be interested in learning or specializing in addiction treatment under the ABPM.
Olsen explained that ASAM represents more than 4,000 physicians now. However, she said she expects this number to increase substantially because for the first time, physicians will be able to take the ABPM addiction medicine exam in October — an opportunity that ASAM has been trying to promote as much as possible.
“Personally, as somebody who has been practicing and taking care of patients with substance use disorders for the past 20 years, treating and being involved in the treatment and recovery of people with substance use disorders has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” she said.
