Using virtual reality to help people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder
Enhancing Prospective Thinking in Early Recovery
This study is testing a new virtual reality program to see if it can help people in early recovery from alcohol use disorder drink less and stay sober.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Indiana University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Indianapolis, Indiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT06302413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel virtual reality intervention designed to reduce alcohol consumption and promote abstinence among individuals in early recovery from alcohol use disorder. The study will assess various outcomes, including the frequency of alcohol use, duration of abstinence, and improvements in future self-identification and time perspective. Participants will engage in the virtual reality sessions and their progress will be monitored through follow-up visits to determine the intervention's impact on their recovery journey.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals who have been abstinent from alcohol for at least 14 days but less than one year and are committed to their recovery.
Not a fit: Patients with unstable medical or psychiatric conditions, habitual drug use, or those on mu-opioid drugs may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly enhance recovery outcomes for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in addiction treatment is an emerging field, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Abstinence between ≥14 days and ≤1 year * Verbal endorsement of commitment to recovery * Outpatient * Psychotropic drugs for SUD-comorbidity * Drug/alcohol abstinence ≥ 24 hours at the time of the study day visit * English comprehension Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable medical disorders * Habitual drug use * Mu-opioid drugs * Smell/taste disorders * Unstable psychiatric conditions * Extravagant/elaborate face tattoos
Where this trial is running
Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indiana University School of Medicine - Goodman Hal — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brandon G Oberlin, PhD — Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Sarah Turo, BA
- Email: sturo@iu.edu
- Phone: 317-963-7220
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.