AboutHistoryFounded in 2007, the American Board of Addiction Medicine was the nation's first medical specialty board that certified addiction medicine physicians across a range of medical specialties with a mission to promote the maintenance of certification for physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of substance related disorders, and to help address the enormous public health burden presented by tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use disorders and related conditions. The board set standards for physician education, assessed physicians' knowledge, and required life-long education. In October 2015, the American Board of Medical Specialties formally recognized Addiction Medicine as a multi-specialty subspecialty. In July 2019, the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates approved the development of a clinical practice pathway to facilitate subspecialty board certification in addiction medicine. Certification examinations in addiction medicine are now administered by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) and the AOA. ABPM and AOA board certification in addiction medicine represents the highest and most well-recognized addiction medicine board certification in the United States. The American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) stopped certifying new applicants in 2015 and will cease all operations on September 1, 2025. In May 2025, ABAM offered a Lifetime Certificate to all active Diplomates. As of August 1, 2025, ABAM no longer monitors ABAM Diplomate Lifetime Certificate holders for their participation in maintenance of certification programs or their compliance with state medical board licensure. ABAM will make no endorsement of Lifetime Certificate holders beyond acknowledgment that as of August 1, 2025, the Certificate holder was an active ABAM Diplomate. As of August 1, 2025, all Federation of State Medical Boards monitoring of state medical board disciplinary actions ceased with no current restrictions noted at the time of issuance of the certificate for named Lifetime Certificate holders. What is an Addiction Medicine Physician?
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