The didactic work is organized around a weekly seminar, along with a practicum, which continues throughout the two-year fellowship. A special training program for office treatment of the substance abuser is provided to all fellows. There is basic science training relevant to addictive illness in biochemistry, pharmacology, epidemiology, social theories, genetic models, and behavioral conditioning models. Each fellow conducts an independent research project that is submitted for publication prior to completing the program. Work begins in the first year and is supported by close faculty supervision, including instruction in research methodology and data analysis.
Fellows also teach medical students at clinical and classroom sites.
During the fellowship, each fellow is expected to complete a research project with results suitable for submission to a referreed professional journal. The project must demonstrate the fellow's understanding of a major issue in the field and the ability to contribute to scientific data on that issue. Outpatient experience includes crisis intervention and continuing psychotherapy. A weekly didactic series throughout the year includes many clinical and research faculty. The program can extend beyond one year and include more research training, depending on the applicant's interests.