Postgraduate education and training in addiction disorders. Defining core competencies.

The rising prevalence of substance abuse disorders in the general medical population makes it essential that more active training be initiated during general residency training across all specialties. Core competencies for general residencies are outlined and the need for advocacy for continuation of postgraduate fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry is recommended as a means of increasing the numbers of faculty to provide leadership teaching and research in the area of Addiction Psychiatry.