About the Chapter of Addiction Medicine

Addiction Medicine refers to comprehensive medical care for patients with a wide range of addiction disorders from drug and alcohol, to pharmaceutical dependency.

The Chapter provides a collegiate home for Addiction Medicine specialists and has the following objectives:

• to promote the study of and the advancement of knowledge in the field of Addiction Medicine;
• to promote and encourage high levels of skill and expertise and high ethical standards in the practice of Addiction Medicine;
• to raise and maintain the educational standards of medical graduates wishing to enter the field of Addiction Medicine;
• to act as an authoritative body for the purpose of consultation in matters of educational or public interest in connection with the field of Addiction Medicine;
• to foster collaboration with clinicians and other persons and organisations to advance knowledge in the field of Addiction Medicine;
• to encourage research in matters connected with the field of Addiction Medicine;
• to guide continuing professional development in practitioners qualified in Addiction Medicine.  

Recognition of Addiction Medicine as a Medical Specialty

On 16 December 2009 the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, recognised Addiction Medicine as a medical specialty for the purpose of inclusion in the Australian Medical Council (AMC) List of Australian Recognised Medical Specialties.

The Minister's decision does not automatically lead to the inclusion of this specialty on Schedule 4 of the Health Insurance Regulations 1975, which would grant patients access to rebates through Medicare Australia. Negotiations are currently being undertaken with Medicare Australia in this regard.

An addiction medicine physician provides comprehensive medical care for patients with a wide range of addiction disorders and the health problems arising form them.

The Executive Summary of the accreditation report of the education and training programs of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is available on the AMC website at www.amc.org.au.