Directors: Drs. Vania Modesto, Marion Moloney, Ronald Kadden and Henry Kranzler

Duration: 1 to 2 months

Months Offered: July to June

No. of Students: 1

Prerequisite: Third Year Curriculum

Contact Person: Vania Modesto, M.D., Extension 2704

1. To understand substance dependence as a chronic disorder, not unlike schizophrenia or diabetes, which once established typically follows a course punctuated by remissions and exacerbations (relapses), and to see "recovery" as an ongoing process which requires the patient to make major life-changes over time. To gain an appreciation of the day-to-day struggles and challenges addicted individuals must overcome to achieve and maintain sobriety.
2. To gain expertise at taking a comprehensive substance abuse and psychiatric history, and based on this information, to formulate an immediate, short-term, and long-term treatment plan which meets the needs of the individual patient.
3. To gain an appreciation of what encompasses substance abuse "rehabilitation"; including such areas as relapse prevention, family work, psychotherapy, and self-help groups.
4. To appreciate medical (e.g., HIV, hepatitis) and psychiatric (e.g., depression, anxiety) conditions which are often associated with substance abuse.

Activities/Responsibilities:

This elective offers exposure to addiction medicine in a psychiatric day treatment setting, a three-to-eight week ambulatory program, which specializes in the treatment of patients with substance abuse and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

While on this service, the student will function as an integral member of the treatment team: rounding each morning, admitting and following patients, and participating in treatment planning. In addition, the student will be exposed to several of the ongoing groups which form the core of our rehabilitation program, focusing on the early recovery process (e.g., relapse prevention, coping skills training, medication group). The student may also wish to participate in our very active research program which presently includes studies on the genetics of alcoholism, neurophysiological effects of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to the treatment of addiction.

Formal Teaching:

In addition to these clinical activities, the senior medical student is expected to attend the weekly resident addiction seminar, clinical case conferences and the departmental Grand Rounds. A reading list of selected articles covering genetic, epidemiologic, biologic, and behavioral aspects of substance abuse will be available, with supervised discussion.

Supervision:

Supervision will be provided by the directors in conjunction with the rotating psychiatric resident/addictions fellow.