Why can the doctor's office sometimes be a dangerous place for alcoholics and other addicts seeking help?

• A significant majority of physicians in the U.S. lack the skill, knowledge and training to diagnose and treat addictive disease.
• Inadequate education in addiction for physicians is exacerbated by prejudice and stigma against addicts, radical changes in patterns of clinical practice, sub-standard reimbursement, and the failure of most physicians to recognize addiction as a chronic relapsing disease.
• The Betty Ford Institute aims to prevent harm being done to addicted patients by physicians who have not been trained adequately to recognize addictive disease. To this end, the Institute uses a variety of innovative educational, training and research initiatives to identify and promote corrective solutions for this alarming deficiency in graduate medical education.
• The Betty Ford Institute also offers innovative learning opportunities about the science and art of addiction treatment that combine hands-on experience with didactic teaching. The Summer Institute for Medical Students (SIMS), the Professionals in Residence (PIR) Program, and Medical Clerkships are leaders in the field.

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