Addiction Medicine

Your Path to a Vital and Evolving Subspecialty

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in one of the most urgent areas of healthcare today?

Addiction medicine is a dynamic, multispecialty subspecialty that equips physicians to address the complex and growing challenges of substance use and addiction. Whether you're in family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, or another specialty, addiction medicine offers a unique opportunity to expand your clinical expertise and serve a critically underserved population.

What Is an Addiction Medicine Physician?

An addiction medicine physician is specially trained and certified to diagnose, treat, and prevent substance use disorders and related conditions. These physicians provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that integrates physical, psychiatric, and behavioral health.

Who Are the Patients?

Addiction medicine physicians care for:

  • Individuals with substance use disorders
  • Patients with co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions
  • People engaging in unhealthy substance use
  • Families affected by a loved one’s addiction

The patient population is diverse and often medically complex, requiring compassionate, multidisciplinary care.

Where Do Addiction Medicine Physicians Practice?

Training prepares physicians to work across a wide range of settings:

  • Outpatient clinics
  • Hospitals and emergency departments
  • Residential treatment centers
  • Psychiatric facilities
  • Public health and research institutions

Addiction medicine physicians also serve as consultants and leaders in integrated care teams.

How Can You Integrate Addiction Medicine Into Your Career?

Some physicians dedicate their practice entirely to addiction medicine. Others incorporate it into their primary specialty, enhancing care for patients with substance-related health issues. This subspecialty offers flexibility and relevance across nearly every field of medicine.

How Do You Get Started?

  1. Complete a Residency
    Addiction medicine is open to physicians from any of the 24 primary specialties. Most fellows come from family medicine or internal medicine backgrounds.
  2. Apply for a Fellowship
    After residency, pursue a one-year fellowship at one of the 100+ ACGME-accredited programs. These fellowships provide intensive training and prepare you for board certification through the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
  3. Board Certification
    Upon completing your fellowship, you’ll be eligible to sit for the addiction medicine certification exam.

Why Now?

The need has never been greater. Over 80,000 lives are lost annually to overdose in the U.S. alone. Physicians trained in addiction medicine are urgently needed to expand access to life-saving care.
Bonus: Practicing in high-need areas may qualify you for federal loan repayment programs—helping you reduce medical education debt while making a difference.

Take the First Step

Explore fellowship opportunities, application tips, and data on training programs.

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