The American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) has addressed the significant need for treatment of patient's with addiction issues through the establishment of a new certification in the field of addiction medicine. Cesar L. Benarroche, MD is among the first physicians in the United States certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine, a new independent medical specialty board. The ABAM has begun to certify addiction medicine physicians from several specialties. Previously, there existed only addiction-related board certifications for psychiatrists. ABAM has established standards for physician education, assessment of physicians' knowledge, and requires the tracking of life-long physician continuing education.
"We want addiction prevention, screening, intervention and treatment to become routine aspects of medical care, available virtually any place health care is provided," said Kevin B. Kunz, MD, President of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Many individuals entering the health care system have substance abuse problems for which there has never been a medical specialty which draws from various areas of medicine, dedicated to treating addiction. Now, patients have somewhere to turn for specialized medical care for substance use disorders related to alcohol, tobacco and other addicting drugs, including some prescription medications. Dr. Benarroche explains, "Identifying and managing the complexities of co-occurring diagnoses are essential skills in order to provide good quality care to treatment resistant patients."