Addiction Medicine Category 2

Welcome to the Category 2 Addiction Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alberta.

 

Unique

ONE OF ONLY 2 PROGRAMS IN CANADA

 

ADAPTABLE

OFFERS CHOICES TO CATER TO FUTURE PRACTICE INTERESTS

 

relevanT

ADDICTION MEDICINE IS AN IN DEMAND FIELD OF MEDICINE THAT IS CONTINUING TO GROW IN RELEVANCE AND SIZE

 

Interested in applying or looking for more information on our Addiction Medicine programs? We would love to have the chance to talk with you. Fill out this google form and we will be in touch!

Contact Us

5-16 University Terrace
8303 112 Street
Edmonton, AB T5G 0B7

Dr. Tannis Spencer
Program Director, Addiction Medicine
tannis@ualberta.ca

Ms. Allison Alberto
Enhanced Skills Program Administrator
Email: fmes@ualberta.ca

Welcome to Our Program

The University of Alberta’s Enhanced Skills in Addiction Medicine program prepares residents to deliver evidence-based, comprehensive care for patients with substance use disorders across various settings. With a flexible and customizable curriculum, the Category 2 program equips residents with in-depth clinical knowledge and skills to integrate addiction care into primary care practice. Training covers the full spectrum of addiction medicine, including managing acute intoxication, overdose, and withdrawal management in the inpatient setting, and also emphasizing harm reduction and long-term recovery strategies in community practice. Residents will work within multidisciplinary teams in both inpatient and outpatient environments to expand their knowledge in treating substance use disorders and managing concurrent conditions such as chronic pain and mental health disorders. 
 
Graduates are well-prepared to apply their expertise in diverse clinical settings, including outpatient primary care, hospitals, addiction treatment centres, and rural or remote facilities. They are also positioned to serve as valuable consultation resources to colleagues in both hospital and community-based care. Through this program, family physicians gain the tools to become accessible, local leaders in addiction medicine, better equipped to meet the evolving needs of their patients and communities.

Dr. Tannis Spencer

Program Director

Residency at a Glance

In-patient Addiction Medicine Consults

  • Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program (ACARP) at the Royal Alexandra Hospital
  • Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program at the University of Alberta Hospital

Medical Withdrawal Management ("Detox")

  • Addiction Recovery Centre

Outpatient Addiction Medicine Care

  • Henwood Treatment Centre
  • Opioid Dependency and Enhanced Addictions Clinic (ODEAC)
  • Radius Health Clinic

A week long series of educational sessions will cover topics including:

  • Trauma informed approach of challenging cases
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Stimulant use disorder
  • Chronic pain and concurrent addiction
  • Opioid use disorder
  • Maternity care
  • Overdose prevention and harm reduction

Academics will be conducted in conjunction with the AFC/Royal College Addiction Medicine Program and other national addiction medicine programs through the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM).

Teaching LOCATIONS

Your schedule will be customized to fit your interests and your placements may include the following sites:

  • Radius Community Health & Healing (formerly Boyle McCauley Health Centre) 
  • Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program, formerly known as the Addiction Recovery and Community Health “ARCH” program at the Royal Alexandra Hospital or University of Alberta Hospital
  • Withdrawal management/detox facilities such as the Addiction Recovery Centre
  • Residential treatment facilities such as Henwood Treatment Centre
  • Opioid Agonist Therapy and Addiction Medicine outpatient clinics
  • Selective locations for the final block of your program are available as well

Application Process

Timelines

We are offering 1 position for the 2027/2028 academic year, with the program beginning in July/August 2027.

Applications are due by December 31, 2026 and applicants can expect a decision by mid January 2027.

Application Process 

Please note that applications are not submitted through CaRMS. Instead, all materials must be sent directly by email to fmes@ualberta.ca.

We encourage applicants to clearly outline their learning goals and future practice plans in their application, so that program experiences can be tailored to support individual needs.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following in a single email to fmes@ualberta.ca:

  1. Application Form - available here

  2. Letter of Intent (maximum 750 words)

    • Describe your interest in the Addiction Medicine program, including learning objectives and career goals.

  3. Curriculum Vitae

    • Include a summary of relevant clinical experience, particularly in addiction medicine.

  4. Document supporting Canadian Citizenship (mandatory) and language proficiency (if relevant).

  5. Three reference letters and their contact information for follow up if required

    • Recommend that these reference letters speak to the your applicants interest in Addiction Medicine and why you would be a good candidate for the Category 2 program.

  6. Proof of CFPC Exam Completion/CCFP Certification

    • This may be submitted after acceptance but must be received before the program start date.

frequently asked questions

No. This program is a Category 2, local University of Alberta program and will not result in your achieving a Certificate of Added Competency (CAC) from the CCFP. If you are interested in that, please see our Category 1 program.

No. You cannot work during your 4 blocks (16 weeks) of program time. You will have to commit to the program full time. It cannot be done part time.

You also must do the 4 blocks of the program consecutively. 

You will be categorized as a Resident Pay Level 3 for the duration of your program. Rates of pay are as per the PARA collective agreement.

Vacation is calculated as per the PARA collective agreement. Vacation time must be taken and cannot be paid out.

For the 2026 training year we have 1 position available. This may expand for future years.

No, unfortunately with this year's short timeline, we can not process documentation for international applicants for the 2026-2027 year. Please reach out to us in summer 2026 to find out if we are accepting international applicants for the 2027-2028 academic year.