All About The American Board Of Addiction Medicine
Since 2007, the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) has labored to ensure that drug and alcohol addicts can find highly skilled help when they’re ready to recover from their addiction. By pooling the talents and backgrounds of addiction recovery providers and offering certification for addiction professionals, ABAM has set standards for physicians who deal with addicts and encouraged them to continue developing the best rehab practices.
What Is the American Board of Addiction Medicine?
ABAM was founded in 2007 by members of the American Society of Addiction Medicine with the goal of identifying, testing, and certifying addiction specialists. ABAM’s certification exam was developed with the help of the National Board of Medical Examiners, and today, ABAM promotes continuing education and offers exams to those who have already attained their certification, verifying that these highly qualified individuals continue to maintain and develop their skills.
Why Is Board Certification Important?
Seeking help from a rehabilitation center can be daunting, but knowing that you’ll be in good hands can make it much easier to start treatment. When they seek care from professionals certified by addiction medicine boards, patients can be confident that they are getting high-quality treatment from skilled professionals who are knowledgeable about the best therapies and latest discoveries in the field. By testing addiction specialists’ knowledge and compelling them to continue educating themselves, ABAM has helped to raise the level of care available and ensure that patients can find care providers who are well-equipped to address their needs.
What Is Required to Get ABAM Certification?
As of 2016, ABAM stopped offering their certification exam to new applicants, so while ABAM-certified professionals can continue to maintain their certification, no new providers can be added to their ranks. However, certification exams are now provided by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, so new addiction specialists can seek ABPM certification instead. Applicants for this certification must have a degree from an accredited medical school and a valid license to practice medicine. They must also hold a primary certification in a broader area of medicine and complete a minimum number of hours practicing addiction medicine. And, of course, they must pass ABPM’s rigorous certification exam.
Where Can I Find Board-Certified Addiction Specialists?
At WhiteSands Tampa Treatment Center, we are pleased to have professionals certified by national addiction medicine boards on our staff who can provide the highest-quality addiction treatment to people from across the country. Our customized, cost-effective addiction treatment programs are administered by highly trained experts to ensure that each person gets the individualized care that they need, including dual-diagnosis treatment for those whose recovery is complicated by a mental health issue.