Addiction Education and Resources
Explore addiction education resources from the California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM). This hub brings together reliable information about substance use disorders, alcohol and drug addiction education, clinical tools, professional education, and support resources for individuals and families.
Addiction is a chronic, treatable medical condition. Evidence-based education can help reduce stigma, support informed decisions, and connect healthcare professionals and the public with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.
Learn About Addiction
Addiction—also called a substance use disorder—can cause a person to continue using alcohol or other drugs despite harmful effects on their health, relationships, work, education, or daily life. Addiction is not caused by a lack of character, morality, or willpower. Genetics, brain chemistry, mental health, trauma, environment, substance exposure, and access to care can all influence risk.
Like other chronic medical conditions, addiction can involve periods of improvement and recurrence. Evidence-based treatment, recovery support, and ongoing care can help people manage substance use disorders and improve their quality of life.
Alcohol Use Disorder Resources
Alcohol use disorder can range from mild to severe and may affect a person’s physical health, mental health, relationships, and daily responsibilities. Review CSAM’s common questions about alcohol use and problem drinking.
Drug Addiction Education and Marijuana Resources
Drug addiction education helps individuals and families understand how substances can affect health and behavior. CSAM’s marijuana resources provide balanced information about potential health effects and addiction risk:
Evidence-Based Perspectives on Addiction
These addiction resources present medical, public health, and neuroscience perspectives on addiction, recovery, and stigma:
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Addiction Is a Chronic, Relapsing Disease (PDF)
Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy -
Addiction Is a Brain Disease (PDF)
Alan I. Leshner, MD, former Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse -
Eliminating Stigma in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (PDF)
Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy
Clinical Tools
CSAM provides evidence-based clinical tools and publications to support healthcare professionals working in addiction medicine and related fields.
CIWA-Ar Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Tool
The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA-Ar) is a validated, clinician-administered tool used to assess and monitor the current severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It should be used by appropriately trained healthcare professionals alongside clinical judgment and a complete patient assessment.
View the CIWA-Ar assessment tool and clinical guidance.
Guidelines and Publications
Explore CSAM’s guidelines and publications for additional clinical tools, professional standards, and evidence-based addiction treatment resources.
CME/CE and Professional Education
CSAM offers continuing medical education and continuing education opportunities for physicians, clinicians, and other professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge of addiction prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery support.
2026 CSAM Annual Conference
CSAM’s Annual Conference brings together addiction medicine professionals for expert-led education, current research, practical clinical insights, and opportunities to earn CME/CE credit.
Explore the 2026 CSAM Annual Conference.
Webinars and On-Demand Courses
Browse CSAM’s course catalog for webinars and on-demand professional education covering addiction medicine and related clinical topics.
Consumer Resources
CSAM’s consumer addiction resources offer clear, evidence-based information for people concerned about their own substance use, family members and loved ones, and anyone seeking to better understand addiction, treatment, relapse, and recovery.
Addiction FAQs
Learn about common signs of addiction, evidence-based treatment, recovery, relapse, supporting someone with a substance use disorder, and finding compassionate care.
Finding Addiction Treatment and Medical Support
An addiction medicine physician can assess substance use disorders, explain evidence-based treatment options, address withdrawal or other medical complications, and coordinate care for related physical and mental health conditions.
Use the CSAM Physician Locator to find a participating addiction medicine professional.
The locator is provided as an informational service. CSAM does not make clinical referrals, and inclusion in the locator does not constitute an endorsement.
A Note on Language and Respect
The way we talk about addiction matters. Stigmatizing language can cause harm and discourage people from seeking care, while respectful and accurate language can support treatment, recovery, healing, and accountability.
If you are seeking answers or support for yourself or someone else, you are not alone. Addiction is treatable, recovery is possible, and help is available.
If someone may be experiencing an overdose or another medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Stay Informed
Registration for the 2026 CSAM Annual Conference NOW OPEN!
Become a Donor
CSAM’s work is powered by people who believe in compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and communities affected by addiction. When you give, you invest in clinicians, patients, advocacy, and the systems that make recovery possible. Your generosity directly shapes the future of addiction medicine in California.
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