Certificate Course: Basics of Addiction Management for Doctors
Continued Professional Development Course (CCBOAM)
Batches 1-13 Combined Impact
NIMHANS Digital Academy | Centre for Addiction Medicine
The Addiction Crisis in India
⚠️ A Critical Public Health Emergency
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs/Addiction) account for 5.4% of the world's annual disease burden
Psychoactive drugs are any chemical substances that alter body function physically and psychologically, influencing mood, thoughts (cognition), and behavior.
The Escalating Problem in India
While tobacco and alcohol have been the major legal substances of abuse in India, there has been a rapid and substantial increase in:
- Marijuana/Cannabis
- Newer drugs of abuse - Methamphetamine, LSD
- Pharmaceuticals (prescription drug misuse)
- Earlier experimentation by adolescents - placing them at higher risk
The Devastating Impact
Substance use has a substantial impact on:
- User's physical and mental health
- Devastating consequences for families and society at large
- Growing problem of behavioral health issues like gambling and internet addiction
🚨 The Treatment Gap Crisis
Up to 75% TREATMENT GAP
The growing problem of addictions (alcohol, drugs, and behavioral health issues) combined with a lack of trained service providers has created a massive treatment gap.
There is an urgent need to bridge this treatment gap in this specialized area of public health importance.
✓ The Solution: Democratizing Addiction Medicine Knowledge
This certificate course provides physicians with foundational competencies in addiction assessment and management, with a major focus on Alcohol Use Disorders (the commonest SUD), enabling them to provide evidence-based care in their communities and bridge the critical treatment gap.
Combined Impact of Batches 1-13
Unprecedented Program Success Across Batches 1-13
Through the Certificate Course in Basics of Addiction Management Batches 1-13, 460 accredited physicians across India have been equipped with foundational competencies in addiction medicine, providing evidence-based screening, brief intervention, detoxification, and anti-craving medications to over 258,000 patients with substance use disorders, effectively bridging the critical 75% treatment gap in addiction care.
🌟 QUARTER MILLION+ LIVES TRANSFORMED 🌟
This flagship program has reached more patients than all other ECHO programs combined, making it the most impactful addiction medicine training initiative in India's history.
About NIMHANS Digital Academy VKN ECHO
Democratizing Knowledge - Virtual Knowledge Network (VKN) + Project ECHO model works on the principle of HUB and SPOKES, a knowledge-sharing network led by an expert multidisciplinary team at NIMHANS.
The ECHO Model:
- Utilizes fortnightly multipoint video conferencing for virtual tele-ECHO clinics
- Focus on "case-based learning" to disseminate best practices, algorithms, guidelines, and clinical wisdom
- "Utilizing technology to leverage scarce resources"
- "Web-based monitoring to measure learning outcomes"
- "Guided practice" strengthens confidence and enhances skills in the community
- Patients get best treatment in their own community without traveling to distant places
Rigorous Peer Review Process
This course content is approved by NIMHANS Digital Academy Board of Studies.
Background and Peer Review (Feb 2022):
Course content was sent to >100 physicians for feedback about utility and content.
43 physicians responded anonymously with valuable feedback incorporated into the curriculum.
Core Competencies: What You Will Learn
✅ What a CCBOAM Certified Doctor CAN Do:
✓ Effective Assessment
Comprehensively assess patients for substance use disorders using standardized tools and clinical evaluation
✓ Alcohol Detoxification
Safely detoxify persons with Alcohol Use Disorders, managing withdrawal symptoms
✓ Anti-craving Medications
Prescribe and monitor anti-craving medications for Alcohol Use Disorders (Disulfiram, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, Baclofen)
✓ Brief Intervention
Implement brief intervention techniques for early-stage substance use problems
✓ Motivational Interviewing
Use components of Motivational Interviewing to enhance patient engagement and motivation for change
⚠️ What a CCBOAM Certified Doctor CANNOT Do:
✗ Opioid/Stimulant Treatment
Cannot start specific treatment for Opioid, Cocaine, or Stimulant Use Disorders (requires advanced training)
✗ Complex Psychiatric Cases
Cannot manage patients with addiction AND severe mental disorders like psychosis (requires psychiatric referral)
✗ Professional Title
Cannot use titles "Addiction Psychiatrist" or "Psychiatrist" (MBBS physicians with CCBOAM certification)
Learning Objectives
On case-based learning course completion, physicians should be able to:
- Incorporate Screening and Brief Intervention in their clinical practice
- Differentiate various factors leading to addiction/abuse by integrating hereditary, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors for a holistic approach
- Select appropriate and safe pharmacological agents based on best evidence and patient profile for Alcohol Use Disorder
- Review psychosocial management strategies
- Make appropriate referral decisions to addiction specialists when needed
Program Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 months (e.g., July to October 2022) Total: ~30 hours • 24 hours: Weekly tele-ECHO clinics (Real-time) • 6 hours: Self-learning and assessments |
| Schedule | Every Wednesday 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (90 minutes per session) 15 weekly sessions |
| Target Audience | Physicians (MBBS/MD/MS/DNB) Doctors, Specialists, Residents Capacity: 30 per batch |
| Principal Focus | Major focus on Alcohol Use Disorder (commonest SUD) Foundation course covering basics of addiction medicine |
| Method | Hybrid Digital Course • Real-time: Zoom telehealth (case-based learning) • Self-paced: elearn.vknnimhans.in |
| Course Fees | ₹3,500 To be paid through SBI Collect to NIMHANS |
| Recognition | Continued Professional Development (CPD) Course Recognized by NIMHANS Digital Academy Board of Studies Not recognized by NMC/MCI or similar bodies |
Accreditation Criteria
Certificate is a by-product of this programme. The core philosophy is democratizing knowledge through case-based learning.
⚠️ There is NO Participation Certificate
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must fulfill ALL of the following criteria:
- Attendance: >75% in weekly Wednesday Tele-ECHO clinics (>11/15 sessions) with >60 minutes video presence per session (measured by software). Meeting will be locked at 2:45 PM
- Case Presentations: Two patient case summaries required:
- One presentation during weekly live session
- One submission (follow-up of one case is also acceptable)
- Assignments: Score >75% in ALL FOUR camera-proctored assignments via elearn.vknnimhans.in
- Must be taken only on laptop/PC webcam or tablet + webcam
- TWO attempts allowed (48 hours per attempt)
- First attempt is MANDATORY to unlock second attempt
- Each assignment covers previous module (25% questions from earlier modules)
- Case-based, multiple answers, match the following, short essays, with negative marks
- Monthly Reports: Submit monthly reports of patients seen (form provided)
- Pre-test and Post-test: Completion required (no scoring involved)
Important Timeline:
Within ONE MONTH of last LIVE session, all submissions must be completed and the course will be closed.
Course completers will be given Certificate of Basics of Addiction Management. NO PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE.
Comprehensive 15-Week Curriculum
Session Breakdown (90 minutes):
- Introduction/Announcements/Updates: 10 min
- Recap Quiz: 15 min
- Didactic: 15 min
- Q&A on Didactic: 10 min
- Breakout Room Case Presentation: 35 min
- Anonymous Feedback: 5 min
Facilitator: Dr. Prabhat Chand
Topics: Case intake demonstration form, Program objectives, Inauguration
Facilitator: Dr. Kevin | Expert: Dr. Prabhat
Case Demo: Assessment (History)
Facilitator: Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Dr. Arul Kevin
Case Demo: Assessment (MSE and GPE)
Facilitators: Dr. Diptadhi, Dr. Prabhat | Expert: Dr. Diptadhi
Case Presenters: Dr. Ajay Tiwari (West Bengal), Dr. Kanchan Patil (Maharashtra)
Assignment I
Facilitator: Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Dr. Rahul Verma
Case Presenter: Dr. Tejas (Bhilai, Chhattisgarh)
Facilitators: Dr. Tathagata, Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Dr. Prakrithi S
Case Presenters: Dr. Prashanth N S (BR Hills, Karnataka), Dr. Ranvir Ranjan (Patna, Bihar)
Facilitators: Dr. Madhupreetha, Dr. Chayanika | Expert: Dr. Abhishek Khatri
Case Presenters: Dr. Pandit Devjyoti Sharma (Gujarat), Dr. Ashish Chepure (Latur, Maharashtra)
Assignment II
Facilitators: Dr. Partha, Dr. Pranjal | Expert: Dr. Tathagata
Case Presenters: Dr. Sudarshan Ray (Kolkata), Dr. Sevanth P (Bellary, Karnataka)
Facilitators: Dr. Madhupreetha, Dr. Pranjal | Expert: Dr. Darshan S
Case Presenters: Dr. Rana Randhir (Chiraiya, Bihar), Dr. Anubrata Karmakar (Baruipur, Kolkata)
Facilitators: Dr. Tathagata, Dr. Prabhat | Expert: Dr. Gaurav Singh
Case Presenters: Dr. Johncy James (Kollam, Kerala), Dr. Vineet Kumar Pathak (Haryana)
Facilitators: Dr. Madhupreetha, Dr. Partha | Expert: Dr. Pranjal
Case Presenters: Dr. Renu Thakur (Noida, UP), Dr. Gaurav Saini (Rohtak, Haryana)
Facilitators: Dr. Prabhat, Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Dr. Madhupreetha
Case Presenters: Dr. Narayana Swamy B T, Dr. Jaskanwar S. Dhillon (Bathinda, Punjab)
Assignment III (Short Essay)
Facilitators: Dr. Prabhat, Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Dr. Partha
Case Presenters: Dr. Ami Panchal (Vadodara, Gujarat), Dr. Shamik Ghosh
Facilitators: Dr. Partha, Dr. Chayanika | Expert: Ms. Aswhathi
Case Presenters: Dr. Gajanan, Dr. Drushik Vakil
Valedictory Session with Group Photo
Facilitators: Dr. Prabhat, Dr. Partha, Dr. Diptadhi | Expert: Ms. Aswhathi
Case Presenters: Dr. Disha Pandurangi, Dr. Limalemla Jamir, Dr. Shuvankar Mukherjee (Kolkata), Dr. Vijay Patil (Nashik), Dr. Shamik Ghosh, Dr. Shubreet
Assignment IV
Post-Course Assessment:
Post-test: November 9, 2022
Certificate posted out to accredited participants by December 15, 2022 (within one month of course completion)
Key Topics Covered
Comprehensive Foundation in Addiction Medicine:
Module 1: General Principles
- Addiction overview and neurobiology
- Comprehensive assessment (history, MSE, GPE)
- DSM-5/ICD-10/ICD-11 diagnostic criteria
- Understanding hereditary, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors
Module 2: Assessment & Engagement
- Engagement and compassion techniques
- Evaluating medical comorbidities
- Evaluating psychiatric comorbidities
- Investigations in AUD and interpretation
Module 3: Pharmacology
- Alcohol withdrawal: Simple and complicated management
- Disulfiram: Aversive therapy, dosing, monitoring
- Naltrexone: Opioid antagonist, craving reduction
- Acamprosate: GABA modulation, relapse prevention
- Baclofen: GABA-B agonist, emerging evidence
- Emerging and off-label anticraving agents
Module 4: Psychosocial Management
- Brief Intervention in AUD (SBIRT model)
- Motivational Interviewing principles
- Motivational Interviewing implementation
- Change talk and engagement strategies
Benefits
- Ready to work with patients with addiction-related issues in primary care settings
- Patient-centric care and evidence-based practice knowledge
- Part of Addiction Experts Network connected through Addiction-Champions app
- Certificate from NIMHANS Digital Academy upon completion
- Continued Professional Development (CPD) recognition
- Lifelong access to self-learning materials
- Network with peers across India
- Real-time mentoring from NIMHANS experts
Self-Paced E-Learning
Each doctor will have access to a Learning Management System at elearn.vknnimhans.in
Self-study materials include:
- Selected textbooks and articles
- Video lectures and demonstrations
- PowerPoint presentations
- Proctored assignments (webcam-enabled)
- Case record forms and templates
What Happens in Weekly Live Tele-ECHO Clinics?
During weekly VKN NIMHANS ECHO tele-ECHO clinics (Every Wednesday 2:30-4:00 PM):
- Patient case presentations: At least ONE patient presented by remote spoke participants using developed case record form (CRF)
- Clarification and discussion: With NIMHANS HUB team and peers
- Breakout room discussions: Small group case analysis (35 minutes)
- Brief didactic topics: Presented by NIMHANS subject academic experts (15 minutes)
- Recap quizzes: Reinforcement of previous learning (15 minutes)
- Q&A sessions: Interactive discussion (10 minutes)
- Anonymous feedback: Continuous quality improvement (5 minutes)
Contact Information
Program Website:
vkn.nimhansdigitalacademy.in/ccboamdoctors2022
E-Learning Platform:
Suggestions and Queries:
Email: vk*@********ns.in
NIMHANS Digital Academy
Centre for Addiction Medicine
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Bridging the 75% Treatment Gap
Democratizing addiction medicine knowledge across India, empowering physicians to provide evidence-based screening, brief intervention, safe detoxification, and anti-craving medications for Alcohol Use Disorders in their communities.
🌟 QUARTER MILLION+ LIVES TRANSFORMED 🌟
Over 258,000 patients with substance use disorders have received foundational addiction care from our 460 accredited physicians across 13 batches, making this the most successful addiction medicine training program in India's history and effectively bridging the critical treatment gap in addiction services.