- Differentiate between substance intoxication, withdrawal, dependence and abuse.
- Describe the major categories of substances (stimulants, depressants, opioids, hallucinogens, etc.) with potential for abuse and their basic neuropathophysiology.
- Address substance use as a regular topic with patients of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
- Identify, in a safe and non-judgmental fashion, individuals with substance use disorders.
- Describe the developmental, psychological, social, biological, environmental and spiritual contexts that impact the experience of addiction.
- Identify addiction as a chronic disease.
- Undertake an appropriate addiction history and focused physical exam.
- Assess a patient’s motivation to change and suggest appropriate interventions for each stage of change (‘Stages of Change’ theory – DiClemente and Prochaska).
- Manage – including referral when appropriate – the most common acute intoxication and/or withdrawal syndromes.
- Demonstrate appropriate use of pharmacologic agents utilized in the management of substance use disorders.
- Describe the needs of the pregnant patient dealing with addiction.
- Assess and manage common comorbidities including chronic pain, abscess, endocarditis, HIV, hepatitis and mental illness.
- Demonstrate awareness of the differing community perspectives towards addictions, the values they represent and the social, political and judicial challenges communities face in dealing with these differing perspectives.
- Describe the processes of co-dependence and enabling in the context of addiction, and can identify these processes when happening in a therapeutic relationship.