2026-2027 | On-Demand Session | Professionalism in Addiction: Ethics, Legal Issues, and Advocacy

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This session provides a focused overview of professionalism in addiction medicine, emphasizing ethical decision-making, legal considerations, and the physician's role in advocacy and systems improvement. Aligned with the ACAAM National Addiction Medicine Didactic Curriculum and ABPM content areas, the session examines core ethical principles, relevant legal frameworks, and common professional challenges encountered in addiction medicine practice. Learners will explore strategies for navigating complex clinical situations, applying ethical and legal principles to patient care, and advancing policies and systems that improve access to treatment and support individuals with substance use disorders.

What This Covers

• Core ethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and confidentiality
• Legal and regulatory considerations relevant to addiction medicine practice
• The intersection of healthcare, public policy, and the legal system in the care of patients with substance use disorders
• Common clinical scenarios involving ethical dilemmas, competing priorities, and professional responsibilities
• Practical application of ethical and professional principles in patient care and clinical decision-making
• The role of physician advocacy in improving access to treatment and reducing barriers to care
• Strategies for navigating complex ethical, legal, and professional challenges in addiction medicine

How This Resource Is Used

This session is designed for on-demand learning, focused content review, and board preparation. It may be used to reinforce foundational addiction medicine concepts, supplement fellowship training, or support preparation for addiction medicine certification examinations. Learners can engage with specific topic areas independently or complete the full session as part of a structured study plan.

Alison Lynch, MD MS

Dr. Lynch is an addiction medicine psychiatrist and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder and co‑occurring psychiatric conditions.

Her work focuses on clinical care, medical education, and systems-based approaches to improving access to addiction treatment across healthcare settings.

Troy Adolfson, MD

Dr. Adolfson is an Addiction Medicine Fellow at the University of Iowa - Addiction and Recovery Collaborative and a Radiation Oncologist. He completed his Radiation Oncology residency at the University of Minnesota and has previously practiced in the Midwest. He developed a passion for addiction medicine after his own struggles with addiction and being involved in the recovery community.

His clinical interests include the treatment of substance use disorders, harm reduction, drug policy, and expanding access to MAT in rural communities.

Devesh Kaushik, DO

Dr. Kaushik is an Addiction Medicine Fellow at the University of Iowa. He recently completed his Psychiatry residency at the Broadlawns UnityPoint program in Des Moines, IA. He developed a strong interest in the addiction field during his time in outpatient clinics and inpatient consultation services while in residency.

His interests include managing co-occurring substance use and psychiatric conditions across both outpatient and inpatient settings.

The session recording will be made available in the corresponding On-Demand course after processing. Access the recording through the On-Demand section of the ACAAM Learning Portal.

To support a meaningful learning experience and recognize your participation:

After viewing a minimum of 50% of the session, the evaluation will become available
We encourage you to complete the evaluation to reflect on the content and provide valuable feedback
Upon completion, a Certificate of Participation will be issued for your records