International Society of Addiction Medicine (Scientific Channel)

What International Society of Addiction Medicine (Scientific Channel) does

The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) is a Canadian-incorporated not-for-profit professional society founded on April 16, 1998, in New Orleans, when 25 physician representatives from 11 countries established a global collaboration to advance addiction medicine as a medical specialty. ISAM is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and operates as a membership-based fellowship of physicians serving members and affiliate organizations across 101 countries through 10 regional representatives spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Its mission is to empower addiction healthcare providers through professional development in clinical care, leadership, innovation, and research, and to facilitate global collaboration; vision is "Global Excellence in Addiction Medicine."

ISAM's core offerings are organized around certification, education, convening, and networking. The International Certification Exam in Addiction Medicine (225 multiple-choice questions over 4.5 hours, offered twice yearly) is a standardized credential; the Annual Global Congress rotates through major cities (Rotterdam 2026, Seattle 2027, Jeddah 2028, Helsinki 2029, Vilnius 2030, Lausanne 2031). Educational products include workshops (e.g., Leadership in Training and Education in Addiction Medicine), webinars, the Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives, journals, and archived congress presentations. Networking platforms include ISAM GEN (Global Experts Network), ISAM NExT (early career professionals), interest groups (Neurosciences, Policy & Practice, Women and Addiction), and affiliate societies. Technology infrastructure is conventional: a membership portal (portal.isamweb.org), Mailchimp-distributed newsletters (ISAM Bytes biweekly), and YouTube-hosted webinar archives. No AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or proprietary software are disclosed.

The revenue model is diversified across recurring and transactional streams. Membership dues are tiered by profession and World Bank income classification, ranging from $5 for undergraduate students to $150 for medical practitioners in high/upper-middle income countries (retired $20, ISAM-NExT $25, non-medical $50-$75). Certification exams generate $1,100-$1,200 per candidate with $500 retake fees. Workshops are priced $100-$300 by membership status and country income band. Congress registrations, textbook sales, donations, and grants (with exclusionary policies on alcohol, tobacco, and medical marijuana industry funding) round out revenue. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging regional representatives, committees, and digital channels (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, newsletter, website) to recruit members.

Name

International Society of Addiction Medicine (Scientific Channel)

Legal name

International Society of Addiction Medicine

Website

https://isamweb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) is a Canadian-incorporated not-for-profit professional society, founded in 1998, that serves physicians specializing in addiction medicine across 101 countries through membership, certification, education, and an annual global congress.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $5 for undergraduate students to $150 for medical practitioners from high/upper-middle income countries. Multiple tiers based on profession (medical practitioner, non-medical practitioner, retired) and World Bank income classification of country.
2. Certification Exams: International Certification Exam in Addiction Medicine offered twice yearly (April and October). Exam fees: $1,100 for members/affiliates, $1,200 for non-members, $500 for retakes.
3. Workshops and Training: Leadership in Training and Education in Addiction Medicine workshops priced at $100-$300 depending on membership status and country income level. Training the Trainer and other workshops offered at various price points.
4. Congress Registration: Revenue from Annual ISAM Global Congress registration fees. ISAM 2026 Rotterdam scheduled for Oct 1-3, 2026.
5. Donations and Grants: Relies on membership fees and donations to fund standards-setting, training advancement, and promotional activities. Accepts corporate partnerships and foundation donations with exclusionary criteria for alcohol, tobacco, and medical marijuana industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ISAM is an international not-for-profit professional society that provides tiered annual memberships, an International Certification Exam in Addiction Medicine, and a portfolio of educational events including an Annual Global Congress, the Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID), and workshops/webinars for physicians and allied health professionals in addiction medicine. The society connects members across 101 countries through its Global Experts Network (ISAM GEN) and early-career program (ISAM NExT), and disseminates knowledge via peer-reviewed journals, a textbook, and biweekly newsletters.

Product overview

ISAM offers a portfolio of products and services organized around education, certification, networking, and innovation in addiction medicine. The core offerings include the International Certification Exam in Addiction Medicine, the Annual Global Congress, and the Global Therapeutic Innovation Day. Educational products include ISAM Workshops, Webinars, Textbooks, Journals, and Congress Presentations. Networking products include ISAM GEN (Global Experts Network), ISAM NExT (early career professionals network), and the annual congress. Communication products include ISAM Bytes (biweekly newsletter) and Newsletters. The society also offers the ISAM Innovation Award program to recognize breakthrough innovations in addiction therapeutics and diagnostics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ISAM Global Experts Network (ISAM GEN): Network of global experts in addiction medicine
• ISAM NExT
• Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID)
• ISAM Innovation Award
• Women and Addiction Interest Group (WAIG)

Products and services

• ISAM Membership
• International Certification Exam in Addiction Medicine
• ISAM Annual Global Congress
• Global Addiction Therapeutics Innovation Day (GATID)
• ISAM Workshops
• Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives
• ISAM Journals

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major and core.

• WHO - World Health OrganizationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ISAM maintains longstanding collaboration with WHO including participation in WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB). ISAM joined WHO-European Council European Health Alliance on Alcohol launched May 2025. Features WHO Collaborating Centre SWI54.
• Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Problematic Usage of the InternetmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ISAM members (Achab, Potenza, Ekhtiari) served as Working Packages chairs for the Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Global action against Problematic Usage of the Internet.
• National Rehabilitation Centre Abu Dhabi, UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NRC has signed partnership agreements with McLean Harvard Hospital and Matrix Institute on Addictions in the US. ISAM highlighted as key partner organization.
• EUFAS - European Federation of Addiction SocietiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization. EUFAS promotes the development of addiction medicine across European societies and works with ISAM on shared objectives of advancing addiction science and treatment.
• ICUDDR - International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand ReductioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization connecting universities for drug demand reduction. Works with ISAM on educational and research initiatives in addiction medicine.
• INHSU - International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance UserscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization focused on health and hepatitis issues among substance users. Partners with ISAM on shared educational and research objectives.
• ISSUP - International Society of Substance Use ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization for substance use professionals. Maintains ongoing collaboration with ISAM on educational resources and professional development.
• WADD - World Association of Dual DisorderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization focused on dual disorders (co-occurring addiction and mental health conditions). Works with ISAM on conferences and educational initiatives.
• WPA - World Psychiatric AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating international organization. WPA brings together psychiatrists worldwide and collaborates with ISAM on educational modules, webinars, and congress activities.
• EUDA - European Union Drug AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntergovernmental addiction medicine organization. EUDA works with ISAM on European drug policy, prevention initiatives, and the annual European Drugs Winter School.
• Pompidou Group - Council of EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntergovernmental group within the Council of Europe working on drug policy. Collaborates with ISAM on addiction medicine issues at the European level.
• McLean Harvard HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcLean Hospital (affiliated with Harvard Medical School) has partnership with National Rehabilitation Centre Abu Dhabi for addiction treatment training and methodology exchange.
• Matrix Institute on AddictionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatrix Institute on Addictions (US) partners with National Rehabilitation Centre Abu Dhabi, providing matrix relapse prevention program training.
• Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISAM Affiliate Society. Organises National Conference on Addiction Medicine (NatCAM) and International Conference of Addiction Medicine (ICAM) once every two years. ISAM 2013 Annual Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur.
• OKANA - Organization Against Drugs of GreececoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISAM Affiliate Organization. Largest body for dealing with addictions in Greece with 67 Replacement Units, 9 Dry Programs, 4 Immediate Access Units, 2 Prison Substitution Units, and 75 Prevention Centers.
• SÁÁ - Icelandic National Center of Addiction MedicinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISAM Affiliate Organization. Leading provider of addiction treatment in Iceland, operating Vogur Hospital (detoxification), four inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation centers, and family services.
• EUROPAD - European Opiate Addiction AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISAM Affiliate Organization. Founded 1994 in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 800 members. Focuses on extending and improving opiate addiction treatment in Europe.
• FSWS - Maltese Foundation for Social Welfare ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISAM Affiliate Organization. Established 1998 in Malta, provides social welfare services including alcohol/substance abuse support through Sedqa Addictions Community Team.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP): ISSUP is a global professional body for the substance use prevention and treatment workforce, offering training, certification (ICRC), and an annual conference. ISSUP directly overlaps with ISAM on the education/certification and networking offerings, and is a named ISAM collaborating organization.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM): ASAM is the leading US-based professional society for physicians specializing in addiction medicine, offering board certification, the Annual Conference, and continuing education - the same core product set ISAM provides at the global level. It is the closest functional peer and a benchmark for ISAM's certification and education programs.
• College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD): CPDD is the oldest and largest organization in the US dedicated to advancing substance use science, with an annual scientific meeting and the CPDD Travel Award for early career investigators. Directly comparable to ISAM on research dissemination, conference, and early-career programming.
• Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA): RSA is an international research society focused specifically on alcohol, with an annual scientific meeting and the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. Overlaps with ISAM on the alcohol-use-disorder portion of addiction medicine and competes for scientific membership and congress attendance.
• Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA): SSA is a long-standing UK-based learned society covering addiction science and treatment, publishing Addiction and Addiction Biology journals. Comparable to ISAM in mission (advancing addiction science/medicine) and overlapping journal and conference offerings.
• International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU): INHSU is an international organization focused on health and hepatitis among people who use substances, with an annual conference and policy work. It is a named ISAM collaborating organization and overlaps on addiction-medicine educational and research initiatives.

Others

• European Union Drug Agency (EUDA): EUDA is the EU's central authority on drugs and addiction, working with ISAM on European drug policy, prevention initiatives, and the European Drugs Winter School. Adjacent rather than competitive - acts as a public-sector counterpart and training partner rather than a peer society.

Regional players

• European Federation of Addiction Societies (EUFAS): EUFAS is a federation of European national addiction societies that collaborates with ISAM on shared objectives of advancing addiction science. Operates regionally but functionally similar to ISAM in convening specialists, running events, and setting educational standards.

Broad incumbents

• World Psychiatric Association (WPA): WPA is a large established global society for psychiatrists that collaborates with ISAM on educational modules, webinars, and congress activities. It is broader than ISAM (entire psychiatry) but competes for the same addiction-psychiatry audience and CME/membership dollars.

Emerging players

• World Association of Dual Disorders (WADD): WADD is a focused international society addressing co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders, collaborating with ISAM on conferences and educational initiatives. Smaller scope than ISAM but increasingly overlapping on the dual-diagnosis content track.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ISAMAddiction
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalSocietyofAddictionMedicine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-society-of-addiction-medicine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Society of Addiction Medicine (Scientific Channel)