April 26
Policy Plenary Opens Debate on Buprenorphine Prescribing LimitCountering all the positive outcomes of buprenorphine treatment for patients with addiction are the negatives of the drug's misuse that are frequently cited by critics, including legislators who oppose expanded use of pharmacotherapies to treat addiction. Saturday's ASAM Policy Plenary opened the door to a passionate discussion of how to address the problem. Read More
Five-Year Recovery Model Proposed as Standard of TreatmentWhile addiction is often considered a chronic disease, treatment assessments have a short-term focus. A new model of treatment outcome evaluation that calls for the assessment of patients for five years after entering treatment will be examined in a Sunday session. Read More
Experts to Examine Use of Cannabinoids as MedicineFrom science to politics to social media, one of the most-discussed topics is the legalization of marijuana and its use as medicine. Sunday, a panel of experts will discuss the science of cannabinoids and their effect on medical treatment and public policy. Read More
Urine Drug Testing Workshop to Focus on Physician-Patient PartnershipA two-part, four-hour workshop on Sunday will help participants increase their knowledge and confidence about using patient-centered urine drug tests in clinical practice. Read More
Session to Examine Definition of Addiction as One DiseaseASAM's definition of addiction, as a primary chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry, will be the focus of “Addiction is Addiction: Clinical Perspectives from Definition to Practice,” from 10 to 11:30 am Sunday in Governor's Ballroom B, Fourth Floor. Read More
REMS Course Focuses on Appropriate Use of ER/LA OpioidsPhysicians who prescribe extended-release/long-acting opioids (ER/LA), as well as all health care professionals, can learn about the safe and effective use of ER/LA through a three-hour REMS course that can be scheduled through ASAM. Read More- Managing Sedative Dependency: A Challenging ProblemSedatives have long been known to be a difficult class of drugs to manage because most patients become dependent on them. A Sunday session, “Updates in Treating Sedative Dependency in Addiction and Chronic Pain,” will address how to tackle this challenge. Read More
Updated Buprenorphine Course Combines Online, Live Case-Based LearningASAM is updating the eight-hour course physicians must complete to obtain a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. The new course, which will be rolled out in July, will be a flipped classroom format blending four hours of online self-study and four hours of live interactive case-based presentations. Read More- Cultural Competence Growing in Importance in Addiction TreatmentThe Affordable Care Act has helped drive addiction medicine more into the mainstream of health care, and with that has come a broader spectrum of patient subsets and management challenges. A Sunday session is designed to improve the management of those patients. Read More
New e-Learning Center Improves Online Education OptionsASAM has upgraded the online education options for its members with the launch of the e-Learning Center (e-LC), which replaces the e-Live Learning Center. At the end of the Annual Conference, the new e-Learning Center will have more than 340 hours of content, and more content in different formats will be added later. Read More- Millennium Award Supports Research of Medication Monitoring, Drug TestingResearch by fellows into medication monitoring and drug testing was recognized Saturday during the Annual Awards Luncheon and in a poster submission by the 2014 award winner. Read More
- Plan to Attend 2016 Annual ConferenceMark the date for the next ASAM Annual Conference. Read More
April 25
Addiction Medicine on Path Toward a New EraThree of the most visible proponents of developing modern, scientific approaches to the management of addiction received standing ovations from a standing-room-only crowd during the Opening Scientific Plenary of the ASAM Annual Conference Friday. Read More
Dr. Gitlow Looks Back and Forward as Presidency EndsAfter serving almost four years as ASAM President, Stuart Gitlow, MD, MPH, MBA, will hand the leadership of the Society to President-Elect R. Jeffrey Goldsmith, MD, DLFAPA, FASAM, at the end of the Annual Conference. It is a transition he has been preparing for, but with mixed emotions. Read More
Continuum, the ASAM Criteria Decision Engine, to Be Launched in Grand Ballroom FoyerThe national launch of Continuum, The ASAM Criteria Decision Engine™, is the focus of a special presentation from 10 to 10:30 am Saturday in the Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer, on the Sixth Floor outside of the Exhibit Hall. Read More- New Guideline Consolidates Addiction Treatments, StrategiesThe ASAM Board of Directors Wednesday delayed a final vote on the publication of the National Clinical Guideline, featuring recommendations for the treatment of addiction involving opioid use, with a focus on pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions. Read More
Policy Plenary to Look at Buprenorphine Prescribing LimitsThe increase in opioid addiction and overdose deaths has led to public officials looking for ways to reverse the trend. The ASAM Policy Plenary, “Consequence of Changing the Buprenorphine Prescribing Limit,” will discuss suggested options. Read More
Dr. Goldsmith Wants to Use Education Experience During Term as PresidentAfter serving on ASAM education committees over the last three decades, R. Jeffrey Goldsmith, MD, DLFAPA, FASAM, wants to use that experience during his term as ASAM President to help educate primary care providers and the public about addiction medicine and improve cooperation among health care professionals. Read More
Experts Build Case Against Marijuana LegalizationThe drive to legalize or decriminalize marijuana is gathering momentum despite growing evidence it is not a “safe intoxicant.” Fueling the drive is the money of those hoping to become “Big Tobacco 2.0,” according to speakers during Friday's President's Symposium, “Marijuana: Patient to Policy.” Read More
A Promise to Keep: Ruth Fox Endowment Renews Commitment to GoalThe Ruth Fox Memorial Endowment Fund, established to secure the future of ASAM, is marking its 25th anniversary with a re-energized campaign drive—A Promise to Keep—and a reception to honor its first chair, the late Max Schneider, MD, FASAM, Saturday night. Read More- Ruth Fox Scholars Track Growth From Attending ConferenceLast year, 11 residents and medical students chosen as Ruth Fox Scholars were able to attend the ASAM conference through funding from the Ruth Fox Memorial Endowment Fund. But that scholarship can do more than punch a ticket to a meeting; it can open doors in a career. Read More
Intimate Partner Violence Workshop Provides Tools for InterventionIn the United States, nearly one in four women report experiencing violence by a current or a former spouse or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Substance use plays a facilitative role in intimate partner violence (IPV) by precipitating or exacerbating violence. Read More
Workshop Offers Guidance on Helping Change through Motivational InterviewingWorking with patients to help them decide what they want to do to solve a problem related to a chronic illness or a behavior change could be a challenge for addiction medicine specialists. Read More- New World of Medicine Focuses on Integrating all Health CareThe evolving universe of health care is quickly moving toward more team-based treatment of patients, which will be explored for the management of addiction in “Advancing the Integration of SUD Services and Health Care.” Read More
- Managing Patients with Addiction, HIV, HCV a Complex ChallengeAlmost 90 percent of patients with HIV also have a hepatitis C infection (HCV), and many of these patients need to be treated for addiction, too. FDA approval of two new drugs, though, has increased the options for the complex management of these patients. Read More
- ASAM Annual Awards LuncheonSeveral people will be recognized during the ASAM Annual Awards Luncheon, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm Saturday in Governor's Ballroom A-C, Fourth Floor. This is a ticketed event, and tickets can be purchased at Registration. Read More
- Claim CME Credits Using the New e-Learning CenterAn important part of attending ASAM Annual Conference education sessions is earning continuing medical education (CME) credits, so remember to claim your CME hours using a new process. Read More
Media Award Winner Focuses on Prescription Drug AddictionThe Hungry Heart, a movie about patients struggling with prescription drug addiction seen from the perspective of a Vermont pediatrician, will receive ASAM's 2015 Media Award at Saturday's ASAM Annual Awards Luncheon. The movie, with a discussion following, screens Saturday during ASAM Movie Night, at 8 pm in Governor's Ballroom E, Fourth Floor. Read More- Thank You to Corporate Round Table MembersASAM recognizes members of the Corporate Round Table. Read More
April 24
Three Addiction Leaders to Speak at Opening Scientific PlenaryThe directors of two U.S. government agencies that interact with the addiction medicine community, and former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy will be the featured speakers Friday during the Opening Scientific Plenary. In addition, two of those speakers offer the perspective of being in recovery from addiction. Read More
Rappelling Event Raises Funds, Awareness About AddictionAbout 70 determined individuals rappelled 22 stories down the side of the Hilton Austin Hotel in ASAM's Shatterproof Challenge Thursday. What inspired them to take a plunge from such a height? They sought to help end the stigma of addiction and raise funds for prevention, treatment, and recovery. Read More
Annual Conference Brings More Learning with a Dose of FunThis year's premier event for addiction medicine specialists has been revamped with exciting changes in format and structure to provide learning in a more interactive, casual, and fun environment. During the newly named Annual Conference—formerly the ASAM Medical Scientific Conference—you'll take in the latest innovations and scientific developments in more than 60 hours of educational content, but you also are certain to have fun with your friends and colleagues. Read More- President’s Symposium to Address Marijuana LegalizationThe polarizing topic of marijuana legalization and the reaction of the addiction medicine community to more states and communities considering less strict marijuana laws will be examined Friday in the President's Symposium, “Marijuana: Patient to Policy.” Read More
- Multidisciplinary Faculty to Present Course on Overdose EducationA popular online program designed to provide prescribers and pharmacists with a better understanding of overdose education and how to use naloxone rescue kits will be presented live in a one-hour course Friday. Read More
Session to Address Lack of Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among IncarceratedOne group of individuals is among those in the United States not receiving the necessary care to treat their opioid use disorders. Because these individuals are incarcerated, they do not have access to pharmacotherapy, including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Read More- ABAM Reflects Growth of Addiction MedicineThe American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) is continuing its efforts to secure the recognition of the subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). These efforts are paying off as an increasing number of physicians are pursuing educational options and practice paths to ABAM certification, and medical schools and other institutions are adding addiction medicine fellowships. Read More
- Friday ABAM Events at the ASAM Annual ConferenceFollowing are ABAM-related events that will be presented Friday during the ASAM Annual Conference. Read More
Meet the Editors of the Journal of Addiction MedicineBe sure to visit the Poster Sessions and meet with the editors of the Journal of Addiction Medicine (JAM) Friday. The Poster Sessions will take place from noon to 2 pm and 9:30 to 11 am Saturday, and the Meet the Editors Session is from noon to 1 pm, both in the Austin Grand Ballroom, Sixth Floor. Read More
Primary Care Physicians and Clinicians Gain Expertise at Fundamentals CoursePrimary care professionals gained a wealth of education Thursday during “The Fundamentals of Addiction Medicine” course. The case-based program yielded guidance for how to provide the most effective prevention strategies and treatment of patients at risk for substance use disorders. Read More
Pain and Addiction Course Looks at Non-Opioid Management OptionsThe focus and format of one of ASAM's long-standing education sessions, the "Pain and Addiction Common Threads" course, took a different path Thursday as it explored a variety of treatment pathways and used more speaker and audience interaction. Part of the course's title was “A World Without Opioids?” Read More
ASAM Releases The ASAM Essentials of Addiction Medicine, 2nd EditionDuring the ASAM Conference, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to get their hands on a limited number of the new edition of The ASAM Essentials of Addiction Medicine, 2nd Edition, before it is published in May. Read More
Stop by ASAM Central to Enter Raffle, Complete Membership ProfileWhen ASAM members pick up their Annual Conference registration materials, they are encouraged to also visit the ASAM Central Desk next to Registration to enter a raffle and complete their membership profiles. Read More- Thank You to Annual Conference SupportersThe American Society of Addiction Medicine gratefully acknowledges these contributions and grants for its 2015 Annual Conference and pre-conference courses. Read More
- ASAM Board of Directors Meeting ActionsThe ASAM Board of Directors met Wednesday and approved several actions. Read More
