Certificate in Addiction Management in Primary Care

This advanced course is required for GPs progressing to Level 2 OST prescriber status. It builds on the Foundation Course and provides deeper clinical insight and practical skills.

Programme Highlights

• Safe initiation of opioid agonist therapies
• Switching between methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone
• Management of special patient populations (e.g. pregnant patients, dual diagnosis)
• Therapeutic management of:
  • Alcohol
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Z-drugs
  • Cannabis
  • Stimulants
  • Prescribed/OTC opioids
  • Enhanced referral and rehabilitation pathways

Format

• Online blended learning modules and interactive x2 interactive workshops
• Clinical case Workbook or Practice Improvement Project submission

Course Director: Dr Bernard Kenny
Academic Lead: Dr Des Crowley
Course Co-ordinator: Education Department, Irish College of GPs
Further information: education@icgp.ie

• Members - €500
• GP Trainees - €500
• Non-members - €650

Cancellation Policy for Irish College of GPs Courses and Events

GP and GP Trainee registration link

Registration closes at 5pm on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. 
Please note, places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The course will commence on November 12, 2025 and run until March 2026. 

Participants are expected to attend two online live workshops (dates TBC), complete online learning modules and submit a Clinical Case Study, demonstrating their learning during the course. 

Live workshops 1 – Friday 28th November 2025, 10am - 1pm
Live Workshop 2 – Friday 30th January 2026, 10am - 1pm
Content release – 1st December 2025

Further information for each module is available in the next section on this page

Topic 1: Methadone Safety & Prescribing Practice
Learning Objectives:
•    Understand methadone pharmacology and safety profile.
•    Navigate PSI regulatory requirements for methadone prescribing.
•    Apply best practices in prescription writing

Topic 2: Buprenorphine and Methadone in primary care
Learning Objectives:
•    Understand buprenorphine pharmacology and induction protocols.
•    Safely initiate and manage buprenorphine treatment.
•    Transition patients between OAT modalities. 

Topic 3: Injectable Buprenorphine in General Practice
Learning Objectives:
•    Understand the role of long-acting injectable buprenorphine.
•    Implement injectable therapy in primary care settings.
•    Monitor and support patients on long-acting formulations.

Assessment – Clinical Case Study presentation OR Practice Improvement Project

Obtain the Foundation Course in Addiction Management Certificate
Obtain Hepatitis C Certificate
Obtain Overdose Management Certificate
Obtain Buprenorphine (Suboxone) Certificate

If you are a non-member, please email education@icgp.ie. We will provide you with access and enough time to complete the above modules, as they provide critical information to obtain the Level 2 Certificate