Apply Now for an Immersive, Hands-On Training Experience!

The REACH 2.0 program, supported by SAMHSA’s Minority Fellowship Program, is extending its application deadline for the Scholar program, but not for long! This is your last chance to be part of an immersive training experience designed to propel your career in addiction health care. Scholar applications are now due on May 16th.

WHY APPLY?

• Intensive Mentorship: Learn from top addiction medicine and psychiatry experts and gain support from a Near Peer Mentor who’s recently walked your path.
• Generous Stipends: Up to $40,000 in stipends for Scholars, plus travel support!
• Exclusive Training: Join an esteemed cohort of 20 Scholars and develop your skills and training on applying evidence-based care.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Medical students, residents, and fellows specializing in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or training in addiction medicine. Specifically, individuals with unique perspectives who have faced historical challenges.

Strengthening Our Community, Expanding Opportunities, and Supporting the Future of Addiction Medicine

ACAAM remains' steadfast in our mission to support our dedicated members and advance addiction medicine through collaboration, advocacy, and education. Together, we are making meaningful progress:

• Staying Connected: The ACAAM Online Community provides a private space for members to share insights, discuss challenges, and support one another.
• Amplifying Our Voice: We are proud to continue collaborating with leading medical organizations through membership in AAMC and relationships with ASAM, AMERSA, and AAAP to advocate for the field of addiction medicine.
• Advancing the REACH 2.0 Initiative: With funding from the SAHMSA Minority Fellowship Program, our REACH 2.0 program is developing a well-equipped workforce to address substance use disorders nationwide.
• Expanding Fellowships: With 106 ACGME-accredited programs, we are committed to securing funding and grants to strengthen addiction medicine training.
• Celebrating New Graduates: Our 6th Annual Addiction Medicine Fellow Virtual Graduation & ACAAM Awards Recognition Event on June 4, 2025, will honor our newest fellows, reinforcing our commitment to their continued success.

• Fellow Lightning Round – Fellows can showcase research, case reports, and innovations. Eligible to apply? Submit a proposal by March 14 to participate in the May 28 virtual Fellow Lightning Round session.

Hear from Addiction Medicine Experts on Why They Love Their Work

In this new video, addiction medicine professionals share why they love practicing addiction medicine and the deep fulfillment that comes from guiding patients on their recovery journey. If you’ve ever wondered what makes addiction medicine such a meaningful field, this video offers a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of those dedicated to healing and hope.

Watch Now!

Join the Movement to Raise Awareness, Eliminate Stigma, and Promote Evidence-Based Treatments

January marks the inaugural Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month—a nationwide initiative led by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments and breaking down the barriers to recovery.

Specialized Training for Future Leaders in Addiction Medicine

ACAAM Fellows, enhance your training in adolescent substance use care with a one-week Pediatric Addiction Medicine Rotation at Boston Children’s Hospital. This immersive program includes 16 hours of clinical telehealth with a multidisciplinary team, virtual rounds, research meetings, and access to valuable educational resources.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain specialized skills in a unique, supportive environment. Spots are limited—learn more and apply today!

Apply Today!

Application Deadline Upcoming for Additional Funded GME Slots 

Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, makes available an additional 1,000 FTE resident cap slots phased in at a rate of no more than 200 slots per year beginning in fiscal year 2023. The deadline for institutions to apply for these slots for the 2024-25 academic year, which can be used for Addiction Medicine Fellowship slots, is March 31, 2023.

Virtual Pediatric Rotations at Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Addiction Medicine Fellowship

The Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Addiction Medicine Fellowship is taking applications from fellows in other addiction medicine programs (deadline January 6, 2023) for one-week virtual learning experiences in the first half of 2023 (January-May).

Because of the particular challenges posed by the cognitive and developmental changes that mark adolescence, treatment for adolescent substance use requires a distinctive approach that recognizes and respects adolescents’ desire for independence while understanding the special vulnerabilities of this period of life.

ACAAM Member Fellow-Only Virtual Convening 
November 1, 1:30 - 3:30 pm EDT

Addiction medicine fellows (ACAAM Members) are invited to join a virtual convening to learn about addiction medicine careers. Louis E. Baxter, Sr., MD DFASM DABAM, will present, "Careers in Addiction Medicine: What Can I Do Within My Specialty?". This presentation will include an overview of career options within the field, many of which you have probably not even thought about. Dr. Baxter's presentation will be followed by small group networking. 

Check your email for your link! We hope to see you there. 

Dear Colleagues,

The American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM) is built from our members’ determination and passion for advancing academic addiction medicine. With our first year of membership coming to a close, we are so grateful for your energy, ingenuity, and focus to create a healthier future for those across this nation who need high-quality substance use care.

REACH Application Deadline is June 30

ACAAM is a proud partner in REACH (REACH: Recognizing and Eliminating disparities in Addiction through Culturally informed Healthcare), which is supported by a federal grant to the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Minority candidates for 2023-24 Addiction Medicine fellowships are encouraged to apply for the REACH Scholar program, which provides funding as well as additional training, mentorship and scholarly activity.

Upcoming Events: May and June

Addiction Medicine Fellowship Recruitment Fair
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 pm EDT

Anticipation is building for the ACAAM Addiction Medicine Fellowship Recruitment Fair. The virtual 90-minute event will get under way with a welcome from ACAAM President Jeanette Tetrault, MD. Following a presentation on addiction medicine training by ACAAM Vice President for Medical and Academic Affairs Timothy Brennan, MD, MPH, the remainder of the fair will be a learning and networking opportunity where participants can visit fellowships at individual breakout “tables.” Residency programs across the nation have been invited to have their residents attend. Thank you to the program directors in the ACAAM Pipeline Task Group for helping plan the event. 

Virtual Addiction Medicine Fellowship Graduation
Thursday, June 9, 6:00 pm EDT

Two national leaders in addiction research will return to give the opening remarks for the 2022 Virtual Addiction Medicine Fellowship Graduation. Nora Volkow, MD, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, will join George Koob, PhD, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in celebrating the Class of 2022, along with family, friends, faculty and others. Drs. Volkow and Koob, who have both been instrumental in advancing Addiction Medicine, also spoke at last year’s virtual graduation. Following their remarks, this year’s graduates will be recognized in a virtual procession of individual slides as ACAAM leaders announce their names.

Fellow only virtual event will focus on resilience, professionalism, and boundary issues

COME TOGETHER: An Addiction Medicine Fellow Only Networking Event

DATE:
February 17, 7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PT

LEarn more AND REGISTER:

Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.

Even as the recruitment season for the 2022 academic year continues, Addiction Medicine fellowships are beginning to look toward the next application cycle. Two closely related themes top the agenda: getting the word out to potential candidates and improving the process for applicants and fellowships alike.

At the latest ACAAM Virtual Town Hall on November 18, program directors, faculty, and coordinators gathered to begin discussing next steps. The meeting came exactly one month after the offer period for 2022 positions opened for most fellowships participating in the Common Decision Date. The Common Date plan provided a 3-month window of “protected time” so applicants could fully explore their options and programs could complete interviews before offers started.

The MAHEC Addiction Medicine Fellowship is relatively new, but it’s already having an impact in rural North Carolina and beyond, according to a story on ABC-affiliate WLOS in Asheville (https://wlos.com/news/local/addiction-medicine-fellowship-program-aims-to-improve-access-to-care-in-rural-western-nc). The story features current fellow and family physician Kendrick White, MD. The MAHEC fellowship and many others are still taking applications for July 2022 fellowship positions – Read More.

With the offer period for 2022-23 fellowship positions now open, a number of fellowships are expected to continue taking applications on a rolling basis until they have filled. We will post a Recruitment Directory indicating which programs these are as soon as we receive updates from the fellowships later this week.

Read More

Fellowship candidates should be aware that 48-hour response deadlines will be the norm when the majority of programs begin making offers for 2022-23 positions on October 18 at 7:00 PM Eastern. Guidance for candidates and fellowships alike is available under the Fellowship Resource Center.

Read More

ACAAM recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sheila Specker, MD, one of the longest-tenured addiction medicine program directors in the country.

Dr. Specker is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota where she practices as an addiction psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. She is also the director of the University of Minnesota’s Addiction Medicine Fellowship, which trains physicians of all specialties in addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Dr. Specker chaired the committee that wrote the program requirements in 2016–2017 that were ultimately adopted by ACGME.