| Substance use disorders are detrimental to individuals, families, and society in a variety of ways. Substance use disorders have a far ranging sphere of influence that impact mortality rates, treatment, co-occurring disorders, economic distress; along with social, psychological, behavioral, and biological impacts. While there may be different views on how to treat substance abuse disorders, there is a definitive need for adequate training of medical education students as it relates to addictive disease. Adequate training will allow for the appropriate diagnosis of such disorders and prevention of further collateral damage associated with substance abuse disorders. To gauge the gravity and nature of this prevailing issue, this dissertation takes a heuristic approach focusing on the personal journey of medical students receiving immersion training at the medical education program at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. |
