Trainee FAQ

1. What are the requirements for taking the ABPN’s Subspecialty Certification in Addiction Psychiatry?

In order to sit for the subspecialty exam, the person must be certified in general psychiatry. The requirement for sitting for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology’s (ABPN) subspecialty certification in Addiction Psychiatry is satisfactory completion of an ACGME- accredited residency in addiction psychiatry. Specific information and application procedures can be obtained from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology at www.abpn.com. Information about various fellowship programs can be obtained here.

2. Can you make a living as an addiction psychiatrist?

Career opportunities are wide-ranging in addiction psychiatry. The patient population is underserved, and an increase in mandates for addiction treatment from federal and local governments and third party payers has led to a demand for credentialed addiction treaters. So, multiple opportunities exist in both the public and private sectors.

3. Do other doctors think you are in recovery?

Sometimes.

Addressing this question (whether or not you reveal your own background) can be an important aspect of psychotherapy with an addicted person and in group therapies directed at addiction. How you address the issue of your own life-course with other professionals is a personal matter.

4. Does treatment help?

Yes.

Overwhelming data show that treatment for addiction promotes less substance use, better psychological and physical health, and improved social functioning. Cost-offset analyses show clear (long-term) economic benefits to providing addiction treatment.

5. Can I combine an Addiction Psychiatry residency with a fellowship in another subspecialty?

No.

Subspecialty training must be done sequentially, not simultaneously. However, particularly needed are psychiatrists with training in child psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.

6. What are the areas of Addiction Psychiatry that provide promising career advancement opportunities?

Addiction psychiatry provides career opportunities in all fields. Particularly promising are child psychiatry, consultation/liaison psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.

7. What are Web resources for addiction psychiatrists?

Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) 
http://dawninfo.samhsa.gov/

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 
www.health.org

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 
www.niaaa.nih.gov

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) 
www.nida.nih.gov/index.html

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) 
www.samhsa.gov

8. How does subspecialty certification compare with ASAM certification?

The Subspecialty Certification in Addiction Psychiatry, given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc., although newer, has the advantage of official recognition by organized medicine and is offered by nationally known and well established institutions in medical certification. Only board-certified psychiatrists who have completed one year of ACGME-approved residency training in addiction psychiatry beginning no sooner than the PGY-V level can sit for the Subspecialty Exam in Addiction Psychiatry.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers a certification test which is available to all physicians who work in the addiction field. The ASAM Certification is well-known, having been offered since 1986. However, it is not tied to completion of accredited addiction training and is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

9. Are practice opportunities greater for Addiction Psychiatrists than General Psychiatrists?

Yes.

Perusal of job opportunities available in the psychiatric press shows that knowledge and certification in addiction psychiatry are sought after attributes in job applicants.