When it comes to gambling, Canadians are heavily invested. Last year alone, they spent roughly $13 billion on legal, government-operated gambling—more than what they collectively shelled out for movies, hockey games, and Tim Hortons combined. It’s no secret that provincial governments depend on gambling revenue. But what often gets overlooked is just how much of that money comes from problem gamblers. Experts estimate that up to 50% of gambling profits are fueled by those struggling with addiction. Although they publicly promote “responsible gambling,” this investigation by The Fifth Estate exposes how these programs are falling short—allowing addicted problem gamblers to keep coming back, while the government cashes in on their losses.
Thailand, once known for its tough war on drugs and strict laws, is making a dramatic shift. After years of leading Asia in incarceration rates and being linked to the drug trade from the infamous Golden Triangle, the country is now taking a bold step: legalizing medical marijuana. Supporters believe this move could transform lives—helping farmers earn more, boosting the economy, and even offering treatment for serious illnesses like cancer. It's a major change that's drawing global attention. As the new law rolls out, 101 East explores whether these big promises are real solutions or just political talk.
This incredibly informative documentary from NOVA PBS discusses opioid addiction, highlighting that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather, a treatable chronic medical condition. It provides a general overview of the science behind addiction, detailing how dopamine, the reward pathway, and other brain regions change as a result of substance abuse, and how these changes result in drug-seeking behaviours and withdrawal. While there are several personal stories from those affected by addiction, the primary focus of this documentary is to provide education on the science behind addiction and the importance of evidence-based treatments.
This webinar provides an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges individuals with an opiate addiction encounter on their journey to achieving and maintaining sobriety. It will examine the physical, emotional, and social barriers that often complicate recovery efforts, including stigma, relapse triggers, and gaps in access to effective care. In addition to outlining these obstacles, the session will present a range of evidence-based strategies designed to support sustained, long-term recovery. Participants will be equipped with practical tools and interventions aimed at improving treatment outcomes, fostering stronger engagement, and building resilience among clients. The webinar will also address critical methods for reducing the risk of premature treatment dropout, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, individualized care planning, and ongoing support systems. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to better serve individuals struggling with an opiate addiction and contribute to more successful recovery journeys within their communities.
In this presentation, Dr. Luke Clark, Director of the Centre for Gambling Research at UBC, takes a closer look at the modern conceptualization of Gambling Disorder as a behavioural addiction. After a quick overview of how it’s diagnosed and how common it is,…
Anthropologist Natasha Dow Schüll, the author of Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas, spent 15 years studying how casinos and slot machines are designed to pull users into a trancelike state called the “machine zone” where social demands, worries,…
In this fascinating journey, Hamilton Morris sits down with Timothy Wyllie, an artist, writer, and architect known for his role in creating the controversial Process Church, a religion that challenged traditional beliefs. Wyllie’s lifelong quest to understand his own mind provides unique insights into the complexities of human consciousness.
This Nature of Things documentary follows Mike Pond, a therapist managing his alcohol addiction. He was only ever offered one treatment after losing his practice, his house, his family, and becoming homeless: Alcoholics Anonymous. This abstinence-based treatment approach did not work for him, so…
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman dives into cannabis (aka marijuana), exploring the biological processes behind its effects on both the mind and body. He covers its medical uses, along with how it influences libido, creativity, appetite, hormones, and more.…
This video by the Institute of Human Anatomy discusses what ethanol, better known as alcohol, does to your body, covering the various organs and tissues that interact with booze and more, such as the “pathway alcohol takes as it travels through…
