Can VR Therapy Revolutionize Recovery for Substance Users?

Researchers at Indiana University are developing a novel immersive therapy for Substance Users with addiction issues by fusing cutting-edge virtual reality technology with psychological concepts. In order to test and advance the technique, they recently obtained approximately $4.9 million from the National Institutes of Health and established a startup firm connected to IU.

Future-Self Avatars: A Revolutionary Approach for Substance Users

Under the direction of IU School of Medicine assistant professor of psychiatry Brandon Oberlin, researchers have created a virtual world using “future-self avatars” that aid in the recovery of those suffering from substance use disorders. Furthermore, these life-size, fully animated avatars are almost identical to photos. Users can interact with their avatars by sharing personal details and hearing them speak in a familiar voice.

VR Therapy: A New Frontier for Substance Use Disorders

“VR technology is clinically effective and increasingly common for treating a variety of mental health conditions, such as phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and post-operative pain, but has yet to find wide use in substance use disorder intervention or recovery,” Oberlin stated. “We utilized VR’s immersive capabilities to help individuals interact with various future selves related to substance use and recovery.”

Promising Results from Pilot Study

Oberlin’s pilot study was published in Discover Mental Health on September 15, after four years of collaborative testing. Moreover, findings show that virtual reality simulations can aid Substance Users’ rehabilitation by lowering relapse likelihood and improving future self-connection.

Personalized Virtual Experiences for Recovery

“This experience enables people in recovery to have a personalized virtual experience in alternate futures resulting from the choices they made,” Oberlin stated. Furthermore, “We believe this could revolutionize early substance use disorder recovery and potentially have broader applications in mental health.”

Early Recovery and Relapse Prevention

The technology fosters future self-connections, making it ideal for Substance Users in early recovery facing significant relapse risks. Consequently, this can help Substance Users select long-term benefits over instant gratification.

Federal Support and Continued Development

NIDA and NIAAA awarded Oberlin’s team over $4.9 million in five months to support their ongoing research efforts. Specifically, included is a $319,542 grant aimed at advancing technology for Substance Users seeking innovative recovery solutions and support.

Remote VR Therapy for Increased Access

Oberlin stated that the awards will fund trials to assess interventions for relapse prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. In one study, for instance, participants will receive virtual reality experiences remotely through wireless headsets to use at home. Remote delivery of mental health interventions addresses a critical gap for individuals unable or unwilling to attend in-person therapy.

A Critical Time for Innovation in Recovery

“The ultimate goal of our work is to leverage state-of-the-art VR technology to provide therapeutic experiences that support early recovery — a very dangerous time period marked by a high risk for relapse,” Oberlin stated. With over 100,000 overdose deaths in the US last year, urgent advancements in rehabilitation and therapy are necessary.

Securing a Patent and Launching a Startup for Substance Users

Earlier this year, Oberlin submitted an application for worldwide patent protection on the technique, with assistance from the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office. To enhance technology and economic potential, Oberlin co-founded Relate XR, LLC, with IU alumnus Andrew Nelson of Half Full Nelson.

Partnering to Advance VR Therapy for Substance Users

Simran Trana noted that Brandon’s technology uniquely targets mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, impacting individual and societal health. Additionally, she stated, “We anticipate collaborating to develop and deploy this technology through Relate XR and secure additional funding.”

Key Collaborators, Institutional Support, and Benefits for Substance Users

Yitong Iris Shen, a graduate student at IUPUI working in Oberlin’s lab, and Nelson are additional authors on the pilot study. Moreover, funding for the original investigation was provided by the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the Department of Psychiatry.