Challenge: Over 20 million people struggle with addiction in the United States – yet there are only 4,400 addiction specialists available nationwide to care for these patients. Abuse of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco cost our country more than $740 billion annually. Locally, the County of Ventura experiences 14 deaths per 100,000 people due to addiction disorders and overdoses. 5.7 per 100 people in our county struggle with Opiate Use Disorder – that’s 5.7% of our population and rising. To combat this public health epidemic, we need more addiction trained Primary Care Physicians in Ventura County.
Solution: We provide trainees the opportunity to become academic and clinical leaders in the subspecialty of Addiction Medicine. Candidates are ideally Primary Care Physicians looking to continue Primary Care Practice and integrate Addiction Medicine in their daily health care practice in Ventura County. They will work with community clinics, jails, emergency departments, hospitals, maternity practices, and existing addiction treatment programs. This will help close the gap of much-needed specialists and improve outcomes for our vulnerable populations.