Addiction Medicine
The American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM) will have a central theme of advancing addiction medicine through clinical innovations and emerging trends in substance use disorder treatment. As part of OMED 2026, the AOAAM track convenes national leaders to address the evolving landscape of addiction medicine and its impact across specialties. This dynamic program highlights novel substances, emerging therapies, advancing clinical models, and practical approaches to diagnosing and treating substance use disorders in diverse healthcare settings.
Grounded in osteopathic principles, sessions emphasize whole-person care, clinical integration, and real-world application relevant to family medicine and a wide range of subspecialties. Designed for osteopathic physicians and healthcare professionals, this track offers actionable, evidence-based insights to strengthen clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
Join AOAAM at OMED to stay at the forefront of addiction medicine and connect with peers leading innovation across the continuum of care.
Medetomidine Withdrawal: Clinical Presentation, Case Experience, and Management Strategies*
Description
Describe the pharmacology and emerging role of medetomidine as an adulterant in the illicit opioid supply, including implications for intoxication and withdrawal risk Explain the clinical features of medetomidine intoxication and withdrawal in the context of polysubstance use and limited toxicology detection Apply evidence-informed strategies to the management of medetomidine withdrawal, including appropriate monitoring and escalation of care for severe presentations
Speakers
Beyond the Table: The Full Scope of Osteopathic Addiction Medicine*
Description
Evaluate how the four tenets of osteopathic medicine map onto the biopsychosocial model of addiction recovery to treat comorbid somatic dysfunctions Analyze the specific neurological feedback loops connecting chronic pain, autonomic tone, allostatic load, and substance use disorders Integrate rapid osteopathic structural assessments into standard addiction medicine intakes (alongside COWS/CIWA) to identify and treat the physical drivers of withdrawal
Speakers
Body, Mind, and Spirit in Bondage: An Osteopathic and Theological Approach to Addiction Medicine*
Description
Analyze substance use disorder using an integrated biopsychosocial-spiritual framework that incorporates moral agency, osteopathic principles, and theological anthropology Evaluate the ethical implications of addiction treatment approaches, including risk reduction and recovery-based medications, through the lens of Hippocratic principles and evidence-based outcomes Apply a structured clinical framework that balances patient autonomy, constrained moral agency, and compassionate care in the management of substance use disorders Develop patient-centered communication and treatment strategies that are nonjudgmental, ethically grounded, and responsive to the complex moral, psychological, and physiological dimensions of addiction
Speakers
Policy, Practice, and Influence: A Guide to Addiction Advocacy*
Description
Describe the policy landscape affecting addiction medicine and treatment delivery Explain how advocacy works at the federal, state, and local levels Implement advocacy techniques that support evidence-based addiction treatment and recovery-oriented systems of care
Speakers
Scaling With Integrity: Virtual Medication Management for MOUD*
Description
Analyze the clinical efficacy, patient safety outcomes, and harm reduction strategies of virtual MOUD models compared to traditional in-person care Evaluate the federal and state regulatory, legal, and compliance frameworks necessary to safely scale virtual medication management clinics Apply osteopathic principles and communication strategies to foster a strong, holistic therapeutic alliance with patients in a digital healthcare ecosystem
Speakers
Pathways in Addiction Medicine: Fellowship Training, Practice Routes, and Career Navigation
Description
Compare current AOA and ABPM addiction medicine certification pathways, including fellowship requirements, clinical practice pathway considerations, exam eligibility, and maintenance expectations Evaluate addiction medicine fellowship options based on specialty background, clinical exposure, mentorship fit, geography, application timeline, and long-term career goals Apply a decision framework to select among fellowship training, practice-based development, academic medicine, hospital-based care, outpatient care, correctional health, public health, and hybrid addiction medicine career routes Design an individualized 12-to-24-month career navigation plan that identifies training gaps, mentors, application materials, networking steps, and board-certification milestones
Speakers
Healing the Healers*
Description
Explain evidence-based approaches for assessing and treating healthcare professionals with co-occurring substance use, alcohol use, and mental health disorders, including the role of specialized monitoring programs and multidisciplinary care Evaluate criteria and processes for determining readiness to return to work, including functional assessment, risk management, relapse prevention planning, and collaboration with licensing boards or physician health programs Identify strategies to support sustained recovery and safe reintegration into clinical practice, such as ongoing monitoring, workplace accommodations, peer support, and addressing stigma and barriers to treatment
Speakers
Primary Care Opportunities in the Addiction Medicine Encounter*
Description
Describe the burden of chronic disease and the gaps in preventive service utilization among patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder Identify specific opportunities within the addiction medicine encounter to deliver screening, immunization, infectious disease testing, and chronic disease management Recognize the addiction medicine visit as a reliable point of contact for patients who otherwise lack a usual source of primary care Outline practical steps for incorporating basic preventive and primary care services into addiction treatment encounters
Speakers
Innovations in Clinical Practice Justice-Involved: Jail to Community*
Description
Describe the types of justice involved patients and their special conditions required by their legal status Analyze the current trends of treatment and how this reduces deaths and recidivism.
Speakers
Beyond Kratom: 7-Hydroxymitragynine and the New Wave of Designer Opioids*
Description
Review the pharmacology of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) Outline emerging products and misuse patterns Identify clinical presentations of dependence and withdrawal Implement evidence-based treatment approaches
Speakers
Adolescent Substance Use Disorders*
Description
Describe basic concepts of prevention of SUDs in youth Evaluate the impact of fentanyl in experimentation and use disorders in youth Design a comprehensive screening process for SUDs in your office Define harm reduction Explain the causes and effects of pharmacologic treatments of SUDs in youth
Speakers
Cardiovascular Consequences of Polysubstance Abuse*
Description
Describe specific consequences of polysubstance use on cardiovascular system Explain the role of addiction medicine physician in managing cardiovascular consequences of polysubstance use Outline potential collaborations between patient's cardiologist and addiction medicine specialist Define prevalence of cardiovascular disease in addiction medicine patient population
Speakers
The Gut-Brain-Inflammation Connection: Emerging Nutrition Science
Description
Explain the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome, inflammation, and brain health Describe current evidence regarding dietary patterns associated with improved digestive, cognitive, and metabolic outcomes Identify nutrition interventions that may help reduce chronic inflammation and support overall health