Biobehavioural Addictions and Concurrent Disorders Research Laboratory (BACDRL) at CAMH focuses on understanding and treating substance use disorders (e.g. cannabis and tobacco) in people with serious mental illness, with an emphasis on employing abstinence-based paradigms, acute administration techniques, and non-invasive neuromodulation. Dr. Tony George and his team have published over 350 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and reports.

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The overarching aim of the laboratory is to uncover the mechanisms that link substance use and psychiatric disorders, and to apply this knowledge toward the development of more effective treatments. Current work focuses particularly on schizophrenia with co-occurring tobacco and cannabis use. To pursue these objectives, the group conducts human laboratory studies and clinical intervention trials, integrating pharmacological approaches with brain stimulation methods such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).