Using Virtual Reality to Help Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder Cope in Real-Life Triggers
Official title: Using Virtual Reality to help adults with Alcohol Use Disorder learn and practice coping skills in realistic high-risk situations
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11420341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VR-based program helps adults with alcohol use disorder learn and practice coping skills in realistic high-risk situations to support abstinence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,242 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AA032298-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with alcohol use disorder who are seeking treatment and are able to participate in VR sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who cannot tolerate VR, have severe cognitive impairments, or are not seeking treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses virtual reality to immerse adults with alcohol use disorder in realistic scenarios where they might be tempted to drink, enabling them to practice coping skills in a safe setting. Participants will engage with VR scenarios and receive guidance on cognitive and behavioral strategies to resist drinking. The goal is to strengthen treatment effects from CBT-style approaches by translating coping skills into real-world responses that patients can use outside the clinic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could improve abstinence rates and strengthen everyday coping skills for people with AUD.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests VR can enhance skills practice, but large-scale effectiveness in AUD remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wray, Tyler Blake — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Wray, Tyler Blake
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.