The Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine (KYSAM) is the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Addicition Medicine (ASAM). ASAM was founded in 1954 and represents over 7000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.

The mission of KYSAM is to provide a medium for physicians and medical trainees with special interests in Addiction Medicine practicing in the state of Kentucky to meet and address issues of mutual interest.

The Purposes of The Society are: to enable networking with colleagues in Addiction Medicine, to provide closer liaison between members and the national activities of ASAM, to provide liaison to other physicians and physician societies regarding Addiction Medicine issues, to increase public awareness in about the existence and vitality of the physician specialty of Addiction Medicine, to increase public awareness of problems related to addiction and substance use, to promote professionalism in the delivery of services to patients with problems which result from addiction and/or substance use, and to be a physician resource for state and national public policy issues that affect Addiction Medicine services and patients with addiction and/or substance use disorders.

The Goals of the Society are to provide: a forum for sharing of ideas between physicians interested in Addiction Medicine, especially regarding clinical management strategies and strategies for interfacing with payer organizations and health care systems; a vehicle for increased professionalism and higher quality information, prevention, training, and treatment regarding addiction and substance use disorders; Page 3 an enhancement of knowledge and attitudes among citizens and institutions about the primary nature of the disease of addiction and substance use disorders; a channel for Kentucky input into national standards of care in Addiction Medicine; and a channel for Kentucky input into health care reform initiatives.