Reform in Canada Pretense & Perils

About The Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research
The Mission of PBCAR is to conduct state-of-the-art research on the causes,
consequences, and treatment of addiction.
Addictive disorders, such as alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, illicit drug
addiction and pathological gambling, are among the most widespread psychiatric
disorders in Canada and around the world. Approximately one in five Canadians
experience addiction over their lifetime. Addictive disorders commonly co-occur with
other psychiatric disorders, such as mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder,
and are major contributors to cardiovascular disease, cancer, sexually transmitted
diseases and accidental injury and death. In economic terms, addiction has an
estimated annual burden of 40 billion dollars. In human terms, the toll addiction takes on
those who are afflicted and their loved ones is incalculable.
The Peter Boris Center for Addictions Research is a joint collaboration between
McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (Ontario Canada) to
advance the scientific understanding of addiction. Located at the St. Joseph's West 5 th
campus, the state-of-the-art Juravinski Centre for Integrated Healthcare, the Centre
serves as a nexus for faculty in McMaster's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Neurosciences and collaborators at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Homewood
Health Centre. Although the interests in the Centre are diverse, the collective goal is to
conduct innovative empirical research that pushes the boundaries of new knowledge
and bridges the gap between science and practice.
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