About CSAM

The California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based addiction care across California.

CSAM files with the IRS under the legal name American Society of Addiction Medicine, Inc. (EIN: 23-7364605). Through physician-led education, public policy and advocacy, leadership development, and evidence-based public resources, CSAM serves patients, families, health professionals, and communities affected by addiction.

Our Mission

The mission of CSAM is to advance the ethical and compassionate treatment of addiction through physician-led and expert-informed education of health professionals, patients, and the public. The Society promotes evidence-based best practices, research, prevention, socially just drug policies, and public education. CSAM advocates for the well-being of individuals affected by addiction, their families, clinicians, and other support systems at every stage of care.

With more than 700 members in California, CSAM is the largest state chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). CSAM contributes to the national organization through impactful education, effective advocacy for health professionals and their patients, and sustained efforts to expand access to high-quality addiction treatment.

CSAM Values

WISE

• Whole health: Support the spiritual, socioeconomic, lifestyle, interpersonal, and overall health of people affected by unhealthy substance use and addictive disorders.
• Inclusiveness: Foster inclusivity within addiction medicine leadership, membership, and systems of care through intentional focus on race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and geographic diversity.
• Social justice: Advocate for the elimination of unfair structural and social determinants of care and unjust drug-enforcement policies while promoting equitable access to quality addiction healthcare.
• Emphasize prevention: Focus on youth, the relationship between trauma and vulnerability to addiction, and public education.

What CSAM Provides

Education | Public Policy & Advocacy | Leadership Development

• The CSAM Annual Conference, one of the premier addiction medicine conferences in the country, featuring nationally recognized speakers discussing timely and emerging topics. CSAM is an accredited provider of Continuing Medical Education (CME).
• Biennial Leadership Development Retreat
• Public policy and advocacy programs
• Resources for physician health and well-being through California Public Protection & Physician Health: www.CPPPH.org
• Outreach to primary care physicians to improve addiction screening and treatment
• Training and conference scholarships for physicians-in-training
• Educational webinars offering CME
• Newsletters and email alerts covering topics of interest to members

For more information about CSAM, call 415-764-4855 or email csam@csam-asam.org.