AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ADDICTION PSYCHIATRY (AAAP)

The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (7301 Mission Road, Suite 252, Prairie Village, KS 66208; 913-262-6161; http://www.aaap.org/) is a not-for-profit scientific and professional organization whose members specialize in the clinical treatment of addictive disorders and related research and education. The AAAP originated in 1985 as the American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions (AAPAA). In 1996, the organization renamed itself the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

The AAAP strives to provide psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and students a close-knit environment where members have opportunities to collaborate, network, and educate one another. The AAAP also seeks to increase public awareness of addiction psychiatry in the treatment and prevention of substance-use disorders by publishing policy statements, working with lawmakers, and cosponsoring programs such as National Alcohol Screening Day. In an effort to further promote the field of addiction psychiatry, the AAAP will assist medical schools that are applying to the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education for accreditation of their addiction psychiatry subspecialty programs. Other stated goals of the organization include promoting availability of the highest-quality treatment for all who need it; promoting excellence in clinical practice in addiction psychiatry; providing continuing education for addiction professionals; disseminating new information in the field of addiction psychiatry; and encouraging research on the etiology, prevention, identification, and treatment of addictions.

Membership in the AAAP exceeds one thousand and is organized into nine national and international geographic areas. Psychiatrists who work with alcoholism and addiction in their practices and are members of the American Psychiatric Association and/or the Canadian Psychiatric Association are eligible to become General Members in the AAAP. Faculty members and nonpsychiatrist professionals who have contributed to the field of addiction psychiatry may join as Affiliate Members. There are additional membership categories for medical students, residents, retired psychiatrists, and international members. Psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the field through clinical work, teaching, research, or administration may, upon recommendation of the executive committee, be elected Fellows.

Physicians already certified as specialists in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) can earn further credentials in the subspecialty of addiction psychiatry by passing the ABPN Examination for Subspecialty Certification in Addiction Psychiatry. The AAAP offers addiction psychiatry review courses to assist in preparing for certification.

The official journal of the AAAP is the American Journal on Addictions, a peer-reviewed clinical publication that is published quarterly. The organization also publishes a quarterly newsletter, AAAP News. Subscriptions to both the journal and newsletter are included with membership.

The AAAP hosts an annual meeting and symposium, which includes workshops, presentations of papers, poster sessions, committee meetings, and area meetings designated by geographic region, as well as the annual business meeting and an awards ceremony.

(See also: American Society of Addiction Medicine )

Faith K. Jaffe

Revised by Nancy Faerber