Many of us have probably heard of the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) but this is a newly formed Board (2007). They saw that there was a desperate need for more doctors of different medical disciplines to understand alcohol and addiction. They seek to train family physicians, internists, pediatricians, etc. who see so many patients who suffer the disease but often have it missed, under diagnosed or overlooked. This is wonderful news!
From the News-Gazette.com
By Debra Presse Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:03 AM CDT
URBANA – America needs thousands of additional doctors trained to treat alcoholism and drug addiction, according to a medical specialty board offering a new certification in addiction medicine.
Many doctors currently treating people with addictions are approaching retirement age, and the new American Board of Addiction Medicine sees a need for about 7,000 more doctors to become trained and board-certified in this field, according to Terri Silver, the board's director of credentialing.
http://www.newsgazette.com/news/2009/07/15/board_says_addiction_medicine_needs