Training in addiction medicine around Europe – a literature review

Addiction medicine is an evolving field that requires specialized training to address the complexities of substance use disorders. This review evaluates the training in addiction medicine within psychiatry residency programs across Europe, highlighting current practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Substance use disorders are a significant public health concern, with high prevalence rates and substantial societal impact, often compounded by dual diagnoses and comorbidities. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach and specialized training to address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. The analysis reveals notable disparities in training programs across European countries. While some countries, such as the UK and the Netherlands, have established comprehensive addiction psychiatry curricula, others provide minimal exposure to addiction medicine. In several nations, training consists of short, often under-supervised internships, with limited emphasis on harm reduction, evidence-based treatment modalities, and psychoeducation. Less than 60% of psychiatry residents in Europe reported completing a structured addiction medi