Program Curriculum



The curriculum covers major advances in the field of clinical addiction medicine presented through didactic presentations, case-based discussions, small group workshops, skills practice, visits to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and  small group meetings with individuals in recovery. Participants also have informal opportunities to discuss their specific interests with the expert faculty who are on-site for the entire training.

Curriculum Outline:

Addiction Sciencedsc_2860
  • Epidemiology
  • Neurobiology of addiction
  • Genetics of addiction
  • Pharmacology of substances of abuse
Clinical Practice
  • Screening and assessment, including techniques to interview patients with substance use disorders
  • Identifying stages of behavioral change
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Treatment (e.g., brief intervention, pharmacotherapy)
  • Relapse prevention
  • Pain management
Teaching Skills
  • Incorporating addiction medicine into a residency curriculum
  • Effective teaching techniques (e.g., teaching the resistant learner)
  • Giving feedback to learners
  • Teaching evidence-based medicine
Research Exposure
  • Review of clinically relevant substance abuse research
  • Exploring career opportunities in substance abuse research
Faculty Mentoring
  • Review goals and approaches for effective mentoring
  • Practice mentoring techniques

Other Training Components

CRIT Program Substance Use Teaching Project Action Plan Samples

Primary teaching affiliate
of BU School of Medicine