Azar Lab
Addiction, withdrawal, mental health and homelessness with Justin Acheson
Transforming addiction treatment through innovative research and compassionate care.
Addiction, withdrawal, mental health and homelessness with Justin Acheson
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Azar Lab is dedicated to transforming the field of addiction medicine through innovative research, cutting-edge clinical protocols, and the development of advanced technologies that save lives. Founded by Dr. Pouya Azar, our lab is recognized for pioneering evidence-based strategies that address the realities of the modern opioid crisis, particularly the challenges posed by fentanyl.
Azar Lab is at the forefront of addiction medicine research, leveraging pharmacology, digital health, AI, and clinical innovation to tackle the complexities of the fentanyl era.
This 1-year subspecialty program is open to UBC PGY-5 psychiatry residents. Fellows receive advanced training in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental illness, and pain across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings. Primary clinical experience takes place on the Integrated Psychiatry, Pain, and Addiction Service (IPPAS) at VGH, with hands-on exposure to addiction pharmacotherapy, withdrawal management, and integrated mental health care. Fellows work closely with interdisciplinary teams and are supervised by addiction psychiatrists. The program also prepares participants to sit the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) exam.
The Concurrent Disorders and Pain Nursing Fellowship is a fully funded, year-long training opportunity for nurses seeking to deepen their expertise in the care of individuals with complex pain and concurrent mental health or substance use disorders. Made possible through a generous contribution from the Brenner Foundation to IMAPP (Innovations in Mental Health, Addiction, Pain and Prevention), this fellowship offers structured clinical placements, didactic teaching, and research opportunities. Fellows receive ongoing mentorship as they strengthen their clinical judgment, hands-on skills, and leadership capacity — while contributing to the future of integrated, person-centered care.
IMAPP (Innovations in Mental Health, Addiction, Pain and Prevention) is Azar Lab’s operational hub — managing the full pipeline from clinical insight to research, application, and real-world outcomes. It houses all Azar Lab projects, campaigns, and collaborations, providing structure and strategy across programs like Aidos Innovations, Natural Stance, and our Podcast.
The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a founding partner of Azar Lab and a key driver of our clinical and research impact. Their support helps transform experimental ideas into scalable care models that improve lives. Become a donor to Azar Lab through the Foundation and help accelerate the future of addiction and pain care.
Natural Stance is our flagship youth prevention initiative — an animated video series that speaks directly to teens through skateboarding, storytelling, and lived experience. Designed to spark curiosity and courage before addiction begins, it’s where evidence meets culture in the name of early prevention.
We’re currently building partnerships to expand this approach into other subcultures and communities.
Development of a Graphene-Oxide-Deposited Carbon Electrode for the Rapid and Low-Level Detection of Fentanyl and Derivatives
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The Podcast Latest
Podcast
Addiction, withdrawal, mental health and homelessness with Justin Acheson
Gordon Faulkner: Breaking Free From Anxiety
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Ben Degros: Skateboarding, Recovery & the Road Forward
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Peter Gooderham: Brain Surgeon Talks About Pursuing Excellence
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Conor King & Korey Bedard: The Fentanyl Crisis
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Patient Shares His Recovery Journey
Losing a Beloved Son/Brother to the Fentanyl Crisis
Podcast
Podcast archive
Research
Development of a Graphene-Oxide-Deposited Carbon Electrode for the Rapid and Low-Level Detection of Fentanyl and Derivatives
Systematic review on intentional non-medical fentanyl use among people who use drugs
A Call for an Evidence-Based Strategy Against the Overdose Crisis
Towards an International Consensus on the Prevention, Treatment and Management of High-Risk Substance Use and Overdose among Youth
Case report: acute care management of severe opioid withdrawal with IV fentanyl
Short communication: Systematic review on effectiveness of micro-induction approaches to buprenorphine initiation
Comparing rapid micro-induction and standard induction of buprenorphine/naloxone for treatment of opioid use disorder: protocol for an open-label, parallel-group, superiority, randomized controlled trial
Microdosing and standard-dosing take-home buprenorphine from the emergency department: A feasibility study
Natural Stance is what happens when a skater, a doctor, and a talking egg team up to change the way we talk about addiction. This animated series from Azar Lab and pro skater Chris Haslam blends chaos, comedy, and compassion to reach young people where they’re at—and show them they’re not alone.
