Addictology designates, in France, the medical specialty at the crossroads of all disciplines interested in man and his behavior. The approach is intended to be common, scientific, clinical, but also political, with regard to all addictive behaviors.

Note that in Quebec, addictology is not considered a medical specialty by the College of Physicians.

In France, addictology has developed by bringing together professionals from the fields of alcoholology, tobacco science and drug addiction. Epidemiological data show an increase in polyconsumption, and addictology wants to globalize and improve public health policies in these areas. The idea being to no longer be interested in a product, but rather in consumer behavior in a more general way.

To better understand, remember that addiction designates a more or less alienating and destructive dependence products (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, narcotics, etc.) or behavior (games of chance, gambling, sex, clothing, internet use, etc.). An addiction is defined as a harmful attachment to a substance or activity. It leads to a deprivation of freedoms, as well as physical, psychological, relational or even social problems.

The addictologist receives all people with dependence problems vis-à-vis a substance, legal or not, or a behavior. These include:

• tobacco (nicotine);
• the alcohol ;
• cannabis;
• opiates (heroin, morphine);
• cocaine;
• gambling;
• games of chance;
• gender;
• or compulsive shopping.

According to Inserm (¹) (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), tobacco is the product with the strongest addictive power, with 32% of its consumers being dependent, followed by heroin (23%) , cocaine (17%), and alcohol (15%).

The role of the addictologist consists in preventing, evaluating but also treating and ensuring the follow-up of people with addictions. He can practice in a private practice, but also in a CSAPA (Center for care, support and prevention in addictology). He is then surrounded by a multidisciplinary team, which welcomes his patients anonymously. Together, they offer:

• listening ;
• medical, psychological and socio-educational assessment and support;
• referral to specialized establishments for weaning or special care, if necessary.

In Quebec, there are no addictologists but there are drug addiction treatment centers, in which a multidisciplinary team (doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.) takes care of the patients.

The consultation with an addictologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient.

Training as an addictologist in France

To become an addictologist, you must obtain a diploma of complementary specialized studies (DESC) in addictology. This is a so-called type I DESC, lasting two years. To do this, you must first hold a DES (diploma of specialized studies), namely the diploma that the student obtains at the end of the internship:

• after having completed 6 years of medical study;
• and after having passed the national classifying tests at the end of 6th year, which allow access to the boarding school.
• gastroenterology and hepatology;
• internal Medicine ;
• Occupational Medicine ;
• neurology;
• psychiatry;

Finally, to be able to practice and carry the title of doctor, the student must also defend a research thesis.

Several DES allow you to apply for the DESC in emergency medicine. Let us quote in alphabetical order:

 public health and social medicine

Training as an addictologist in Quebec

Addictology is not a medical specialty, so there is no specific training to become an addictologist. However :

• There is advanced training in addiction medicine, lasting 12 months, available to people with a certificate from the College of Family Medicine of Canada or equivalent, as well as a license to practice from the College of Physicians of Quebec;

there is also training in drug addiction, which is open to nursing staff more generally (doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, or even social workers).

To find an addictologist in France, you can consult the website “le guide santé” ².