Virtual reality time-travel prompts to support abstinence in alcohol use disorder recovery
Official title: Enhancing Prospection with Virtual Reality in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11393833 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $654,583 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029396-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393833 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with early recovery from alcohol use disorder who are actively pursuing abstinence and open to VR-based interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not comfortable with VR or those at stages where abstinence is not the current goal may derive less benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a virtual reality intervention to help individuals in early recovery from alcohol use disorder strengthen their commitment to abstinence and improve long-term outcomes. Participants will experience immersive scenarios that depict plausible future selves and alternate futures to boost future orientation and the value of delaying reward. Brain responses will be measured to understand how this intervention changes decision-making and motivation, with the aim of making recovery more durable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve abstinence rates and long-term recovery by making future consequences more vivid and motivating.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work on episodic future thinking and VR simulations suggests potential benefits, but applying it to AUD recovery is a novel extension with promising early signals.
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
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Virtual reality to help people early in alcohol recovery imagine and connect with healthier futures
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Using virtual reality to help people recover from alcohol use disorder
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.
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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.