Virtual reality to help people early in alcohol recovery imagine and connect with healthier futures
Enhancing Prospection with Virtual Reality in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery
This program uses virtual reality to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder meet imagined future versions of themselves to support staying sober.
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 ID | NIH-11160711 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll enter a realistic virtual world where you meet aged versions of your future self across different possible futures that depend on today's choices. The experience uses a time-travel narrative and personal interactions to make future outcomes feel emotionally real and motivating. Researchers will measure changes in how you think about the future, choices between immediate and delayed rewards, and your brain responses before and after the VR sessions. The goal is to strengthen future-oriented thinking to improve abstinence and recovery outcomes during early recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults in early recovery from alcohol use disorder, such as those recently completing treatment or within the first months of sobriety, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People not seeking abstinence, those who cannot tolerate VR (for example severe motion sickness) or who cannot attend in-person visits for brain measurements may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people strengthen future thinking and reduce impulsive drinking, improving chances of long-term abstinence.
How similar studies have performed: Related 'episodic future thinking' and future-self exercises have shown promise for reducing impulsive choices, but immersive VR versions in alcohol recovery are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oberlin, Brandon — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Oberlin, Brandon
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 below.