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Examination Preparation and Review

The ABAM Certification and Maintenance of Certification Exams cover the broad body of knowledge of addiction medicine. Examinees can expect questions on any/all topics that an addiction physician in any specialty can reasonably be expected to know.

The following suggested review consists of materials which the examinee may find useful in preparing for the ABAM Certification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive study guide for this examination, nor is it intended to be a list of the best resources available. There may be other resources which prove to be more useful to the examinee. Please Note: ABAM can make no claim that persons who read any or all of the texts listed here will perform at a predictable level on the Certification/Recertification examination

CSAM Addiction Medicine Review Course, September 5-8, 2012, San Francisco, CA

The Review Course presents an overview of the core elements of addiction medicine, presented by top experts in the field. Participants receive a course syllabus with copies of all lecture handouts and selected articles. CSAM offers a ABAM Certification Exam Preparation Track during the Review Course. Prior to the conference, Exam Track participants receive a CD-ROM study guide with sample questions and other study material.  There will also be a pre-conference assessment test given online to help identify areas where additional study may be needed.  At the Review Course Conference participants in the Certification Exam Preparation Track will sit at tables with designated facilitator to identify the key material for the exam and answer questions. The Exam Preparation track consists of six additional CME hours devoted to test-taking strategies, sample questions, high-yield exam content, and tips on how to prepare for the exam and a minimum of two post conference webinars.  30 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (estimated).   Information: For more information call CSAM at 415-764-4855 or email csam@csam-asam.org; website: www.csam-asam.org

ASAM Addiction Medicine Review Course, September 20-22, 2012, Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN

The ASAM Review Course is recognized as the essential primer for physicians and other health care professionals who are preparing for a career in addiction medicine and/or preparing for the ABAM exam. The course features a three-day program of the core content of addiction medicine presented by experts in the field, supported by an extensive print and electronic syllabus. Attendees receive an electronic study guide that includes sample questions from past exams.  The course includes special sessions on topics such as: What to Expect of the Certification Exam, where test developers and recent examinees will explain how questions are developed, administered and scored; What to Expect the Day of the Exam; and How to Prepare.

ASAM provides audio capture of the entire course synced with the course slides and posted to the ASAM Live Learning Center, available to the paid registrants 24/7 at no extra cost. Continuing Medical Education: 21 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (estimated). For more information call the ASAM Conference Department at 301-656-3920 or contact: meetings@asam.org ; Website: http://www.asam.org

Click to download the 2012 certification and recertification applications.  Kindly complete these electronically.
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Principles of Addiction Medicine Fourth Edition

The Fourth Edition of ASAM’s landmark textbook, Principles of Addiction Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders, as well as the management of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions.  Top-the-line research provides new guidance on everything from risk factors to types of addiction. This reference deepens your understanding and offers new tools to aid you.  A team of thoughtful leaders brings you scientific, evidence-based facts and perspectives on abuse programs, pain and addiction, co-occurring addiction and psychiatric disorders, psychiatry, neuroscience and neurobiology, pharmacologic advances, screening, the brief intervention, laboratory testing, alcohol treatment, and more.  The text too brings you bench-to-bedside recommendations that embrace international opinions and shed light on contemporary issues, such as addiction to the Internet, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction in children and adolescents, and more.

Principles of Addiction Medicine, Fourth Edition, can be ordered by phoning 1-800/638-3030, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm EST or by visiting Lippincott Williams & Wilkins’ website at www.lww.com/product/?978-0-7817-7477-2.  The price of the 4th edition is: $199.00.  To Order call 1-800-638-3030

ABAM is not a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABAM's goal is to gain recognition of Addiction Medicine as a medical specialty, and the creation of a certification process through collaboration with the ABMS and its member Boards.