Using virtual reality to help people recover from alcohol use disorder
Official title: Enhancing Prospection with Virtual Reality in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10893448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new virtual reality program to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder by helping them imagine and plan for a healthier future, making it easier to stay committed to their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $628,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029396-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in the early stages of recovery from alcohol use disorder who are motivated to improve their future outlook.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently in recovery or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new virtual reality intervention designed to support individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) by enhancing their ability to visualize and plan for the future. Participants will engage in immersive experiences that allow them to interact with representations of their future selves, which may motivate them to make healthier choices. The study aims to quantify brain responses and improve recovery outcomes by addressing the common challenge of immediate reward preference over long-term goals. By creating a compelling narrative and emotional engagement, the intervention seeks to strengthen participants' commitment to abstinence and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel therapeutic tool that significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of virtual reality in therapeutic settings is gaining traction, this specific approach targeting future orientation in alcohol use disorder is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oberlin, Brandon — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Oberlin, Brandon
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using Virtual Reality to Help Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder Cope in Real-Life Triggers
A VR-based program helps adults with alcohol use disorder learn and practice coping skills in realistic high-risk situations to support abstinence.
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Virtual reality time-travel prompts to support abstinence in alcohol use disorder recovery
A VR program helps people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder imagine and engage with possible future selves to stay abstinent and plan for a healthier future.
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Virtual reality to help people early in alcohol recovery imagine and connect with healthier futures
This program uses virtual reality to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder meet imagined future versions of themselves to support staying sober.
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Functional Connectivity-Guided TMS for Alcohol Use Disorder
A new approach uses targeted brain stimulation to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent longer by focusing treatment on specific brain circuits.
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Alcohol Use Disorder and Suicidal Behavior: Finding Why They Occur Together
A study using Swedish population data to understand why alcohol use disorder relates to suicidal thoughts and acts, with the goal of improving risk prediction and prevention.
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Non-hallucinogenic psilocybin derivative for alcohol use disorder
A new, safer psilocybin-like compound is being studied to help people with alcohol use disorder.
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.