ABPM Addiction Medicine study plan

Map the full addiction care continuum (screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, remission, recovery) and write a one-page definition of each stage

Compare DSM-5-TR substance use disorder criteria against ICD-11 dependence and harmful-use categories, noting threshold differences

Build a 25-item spaced-repetition deck covering diagnostic criteria and severity specifiers

Draft a personal list of 5 clinical scenarios where you would use a validated screen (e.g., AUDIT-C, DAST-10, PHQ-9) and justify the choice

Outline first-line pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder with mechanism, dosing range, and monitoring parameters

Explain the role of behavioral and mutual-help recovery supports and how to match them to patient preference

Practice writing a 1-paragraph treatment plan for 3 vignettes, each with a different severity level

Identify 3 referral pathways (detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient MAT) and note eligibility criteria

Describe recognition and acute management of alcohol withdrawal, including CIWA-based assessment and benzodiazepine strategies

Outline management of opioid overdose and precipitated withdrawal, including naloxone and buprenorphine initiation

List medical complications of chronic alcohol, stimulant, and opioid use by organ system

Explain harm-reduction approaches (naloxone distribution, syringe services, fentanyl test strips) and how to counsel patients

Differentiate unhealthy use, hazardous use, and substance use disorder in 5 written case vignettes

Practice brief intervention (screening, feedback, advice, goal-setting) in 3 role-play or self-recorded scenarios

Identify prescription-drug misuse risk factors and describe prescription monitoring program use

Explain nicotine cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy options

Compare motivational interviewing, CBT, contingency management, and 12-step facilitation by evidence base and indication

Describe special populations (adolescents, pregnancy, older adults, co-occurring psychiatric illness) and adapt treatment recommendations

Review drug-testing interpretation and limitations

Build a 20-item practice question set on unhealthy-use management and review every miss

Explain the biopsychosocial impact of a loved one's substance use on family members across the lifespan

Describe family-based interventions (e.g., CRAFT, behavioral couples therapy) and how to refer

Practice a family-conference conversation covering boundaries, safety planning, and support resources

Identify resources for children and caregivers, including Al-Anon/Alateen and child-safety considerations

Complete a 100-question mixed practice exam under timed conditions

Categorize every miss by domain and error type (knowledge gap vs. misread vs. reasoning error)

Re-study the two weakest domains using targeted resources

Re-test the missed items after a 48-hour delay to confirm retention

Review high-yield summary sheets for all four domains

Complete a second timed practice exam and compare domain scores to week 7

Drill spaced-repetition decks until all cards are mature

Write a final one-page 'exam-day' checklist of decision rules and pitfalls