Introducing The ASAM Criteria Track: A learning resource for professionals implementing The ASAM Criteria

The ASAM Criteria is the nation’s most comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of patients with addiction. The Change Companies’ training division, Train for Change, is proud to be an ASAM Criteria designated training organization, a designation provided by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The Change Companies believes that comprehensive training on the ASAM Criteria – including on-demand primers/refreshers and live training and follow-up coaching – is the best way to promote good treatment outcomes for patients served. This philosophy has guided the creation of the ASAM Criteria Track. 

What is the ASAM Criteria track? 

The ASAM Criteria track is part of The Change Companies’ Fidelity Platform – a dynamic resource center that helps staff master evidence-based practices and measure progress. Whether you’re using the 3^rd or 4^th edition of The ASAM Criteria, there are learning opportunities relevant to your setting, include on-demand trainings for CEUs, a growing microlearning library, relevant articles and more. 

The ASAM Criteria track features content specific to effective implementation of The ASAM Criteria and other best practices in addiction treatment. Users of The ASAM Criteria track can select which edition of The ASAM Criteria they are using and access a learning library specific to their ASAM needs. Edition-agnostic addiction treatment best practices are core to the track, regardless of which edition you are using. 

What’s included in the ASAM Criteria track? 

The ASAM Criteria track provides topics specific to the 3^rd edition, topics specific to the 4^th edition, and edition-agnostic topics. 

4^th edition topics include: 

• Foundations of the 4^th edition
• What’s new in the 4^th and why? 
• Dimensions, subdimensions and driving dimensions
• Understanding the new levels of care
• What happened to “readiness to change”? 
• Level 1 services: Long-term remission monitoring and recovery management check-ups
• Understanding the two parts of level of care and treatment planning assessments with the 4^th edition
• Understanding the new 0.7 across all levels of care
• An overview of the new level of care decision algorithm
  

3^rd edition topics include: 

• Foundational overview of The ASAM Criteria 3^rd Edition
• Understanding the six dimensions as a biopsychosocial framework for understanding clinical needs
• How to use the dimensional and diagnostic admission criteria to determine the level of care
• How to decide when to move to the ASAM Criteria 4^th Edition
• The true intent of risk ratings
• Understanding withdrawal management
• And more

Edition-agnostic topics include:

• Strengthening program design to improve fidelity to The ASAM Criteria
• Understanding system change in the context of implementation
• Effective individualized treatment planning: Developing and using the treatment plan
• Implementing effective harm reduction approaches
• Following “the golden thread”: Effective documentation from intake to transition
• Common misconceptions about the ASAM Criteria

On-demand trainings on The ASAM Criteria track

On-demand trainings offered in the ASAM Criteria track provide a scalable way for staff to understand the foundations of the criteria. They effectively prepare individuals to get the most out of in-person training. On-demand trainings are available for the 3^rd or 4^th edition. 

ASAM Criteria 4^th Edition On-demand Training outline (4 CEUs)

Module 1: Introduction to the Fourth Edition of The ASAM Criteria 

• Employ underlying principles and concepts of The ASAM Criteria 4th Edition 
• Identify key components of The ASAM Criteria 4th Edition and implement them into practice 

Module 2: Continuum of Care 

• Employ the underlying principles and concepts of The ASAM Criteria 
• Identify ASAM Criteria’s continuum of care treatment levels and understand how integrated care is implemented within the different levels of care 

Module 3: Assessments: Level of Care and Treatment Planning 

• Employ the underlying principles and concepts of The ASAM Criteria 
• Conduct The ASAM Criteria Level of Care Assessment and apply the Dimensional Admission Criteria to make level of care recommendations 
• Utilize The ASAM Criteria Treatment Planning Assessment to determine treatment priorities and guide treatment planning 

Module 4: Case Application Exercise 

• Case activity for learning objectives covered in modules 1-3 

ASAM Criteria 3^rd Edition On-demand Training outline (12 CEUs)

Module 1: Multimedimensional Assessment 

• Understand the six assessment dimensions 
• Understand who can benefit from The ASAM Criteria 
• Learn how to effectively assess and implement the Criteria through admission, service planning, treatment and discharge or transfer 
• Practice applying The ASAM Criteria 

Module 2: From Assessment to Service Planning and Level of Care 

• Approach assessment from a person-centered perspective 
• Perform an initial assessment 
• Determine appropriate level of care placement 
• Develop a collaborative service plan 

Module 3: Introduction to The ASAM Criteria 

• Review the historical context of The ASAM Criteria 
• Identify terminology, populations, and emerging understandings of the 3rd Edition 
• Apply The ASAM Criteria 3rd Edition toward person-centered, ongoing disease management
  

Ready to learn more about the ASAM Criteria track? Request a demo below!