Didactics

Summer Seminar: July & August

Residents participate in a didactic series which serves as an introduction to major concepts surrounding common substances of use: Cannabis, Stimulants, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Opioids. Participants include physicians and medical students from addiction medicine and psychosomatic medicine to promote interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

September-June

Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE) Seminar:

Residents participate with multidisciplinary post-graduate fellows (addiction medicine, psychology, social work, nursing, and chaplain) in weekly seminars. The Seminar Series is organized by and led by faculty member Anja Cotton, which includes the following topics:

  • Diagnosis – DSM-5
  • Models and Theories of Addiction
  • Basic Pharmacology and Drug Effects
  • Epidemiology of Substance Abuse
  • Psychiatric Diagnosis I
  • Natural Change
  • Psychiatric Diagnosis II
  • Etiologic Models
  • Racial & Gender Disparities in Addictions
  • Treatment Seeking and Engagement
  • Self Help: 12-Step Programs and Alternatives
  • Biological Markers of Alcohol and Drug Use
  • Detoxification
  • Clinical Assessment
  • Motivational Treatments
  • Behavioral Therapies
  • Pharmacotherapy
  • Treatment Outcomes
  • Measurement-based care and VA QI Processes
  • Social Policy
  • Pain Management
  • Epidemiology and Treatment of Co-occurring PTSD and Substance Abuse
  • Contingency Management
  • Harm Reduction
  • Spirituality and Substance Abuse
  • Nicotine and Smoking Cessation
  • Final Integration