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Examination Preparation & 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.  Successful 2012 Examinees will be enrolled in the 2013 ABAM Maintenance of Certification program which requires annual participation.

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

ASAM Review Course

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 materials from this extensive three-day 2012 program can be accessed on-line by attendees or purchased by non-attendees.  Up to 22 CME credits can be earned.  ASAM offers audio capture of the entire live course with faculty presentations synchronized with the course slides. The course includes special sessions on topics such as:  What to Expect the Day of the Exam and How to Prepare. ASAM Review Course Directors recommend reading Principles of Addiction Medicine, 4th Edition to prepare for the exam.

Statement on Accreditation for Continuing Medical Education  (ACCME) The American Society of Addiction Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.  (AMA) The American Society of Addiction Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ASAM’s Interactive Exam Prep (IEP)

New in 2012 is ASAM’s Interactive Exam Preparation (IEP), which  is an internet-based learning tool that includes study material and 350 sample test questions and answers.  If you attended the ASAM Review Course or purchased the IEP, it can be accessed at www.examprep.asam.org.  It can be purchased here.  For more information, contact the ASAM education department at education@asam.org or call 301-656-3920. Website: www.asam.org

CSAM’s Review Course

The California Society of Addiction Medicine has launched an online version of the 2012 Addiction Medicine Review Course including audio/video presentations of all 23 lectures from the Sept. 2012 live conference.   Users can review lectures at their own pace and earn up to 20.5 AMA/PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Users can also download PDF files of the slides and MP3 audio of all lectures.   The presentations of interactive questions and answers from the ABAM Certification Exam Preparation Track and the Exam Preparation Study Guide are also available and offer 6 CME Credits.To purchase, or for more information, go to http://addictionmedicinecme.org.

CSAM will hold its next Addiction Medicine Review Course and ABAM Certification Exam Preparation Track on Sept. 3-6, 2014, at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.  Registration for this course will open in Jan. 2014.

You can download sample certification and recertification applications from 2012.  The 2014 application (a slightly revised version of the 2012 application) will be posted by spring, 2013.  The Early filing date is October 31, 2013.   2014 requirements are patterned after 2012 requirements.
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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.