Researchers Create Virtual Reality 'Parties' To Treat Drug Addiction

Jason Koebler (3528235) writes To help people overcome drug addiction, researchers at the University of Houston's Graduate School of Social Work are building hyper-realistic virtual worlds to recreate situations that trigger cravings for nicotine, alcohol, weed, and now, hard drugs like heroin. Traditional relapse therapy usually involves roleplaying: Therapists often pretend to be a friend or some other familiar person and offer the patient their drug of choice in order to teach them avoidance strategies. By strapping patients into a virtual reality headset and running them through a familiar scenario where they commonly use the drug, like a party, the treatment can be much more realistic and effective, researchers say (video).

Comments

We all know the real reason for this

[wonkey_monkey]

Many respectable physicists said that they weren't going to stand for this, partly because it was a debasement of science, but mostly because they didn't get invited to those sorts of parties.

-Douglas Adams

Virtual beer goggles

[antifoidulus]

So essentially I can use my Occulus Rift as virtual beer goggles then?

Being a former drug addict, I think

[Nyder]

that this is really stupid. Maybe it will help the non real addicts that people think need help, but those of us who are true addicts it's about our will power, nothing less. Back when I was strung out on heroin, it didn't matter if I went to rehab, got clean, i would be strung out again within 1 week once I got left to my own ends.

What got me to quit was getting help for some of my mental issues, and me getting completely sick of the junky scene. I hated being dope sick. I hated the crap I did to stay well. I learned to remember all the bad shit associated with being a heroin addict, and I left that as a reminder in my mind on what the path leads to.

On top of that, I got as far away from other users as possible. I don't want to associate with them, hang with them, even talk to them. Fuck that. If you think you can still be friends with addicts/users, you are mistaken. If they can't get clean, screw them, they will only pull you down.

There is plenty to do without hanging around people who use/abuse drugs. If you really want to stay clean, you accept that as reality and change your life, otherwise you are just setting yourself up to fail on purpose.

Re:Being a former drug addict, I think

[gunz_n_space80]

Well said! I know it's not the same, but I had serious problems with alcoholism years ago and got the same impression that you did from reading this article. After-school special peer pressure users or drinkers are not suffering from a real addiction. My addiction was a very personal thing for me that no one else who knew me would understand or approve of which is why I had to keep it secret. I felt OK and was able to cope only when I was under the influence, or knew that I was not far removed from being able to achieve that state. I lacked the mental toughness and tools to fix the problems that the sober me could not reconcile and turned to liquor to define me because I just could not be bothered with it. After coming face to face with the fact that I had irrevocably altered my life in a profoundly negative way, I made the choice to live life sober and take control.

Re:Being a former drug addict, I think

[imidan]

On top of that, I got as far away from other users as possible. I don't want to associate with them, hang with them, even talk to them.

Isn't that kind of the point of this, though, to simulate a party with those people, and immerse you in it while you're sober, and reinforce that preference to stay away from users of your drug? I mean, I don't think it's a cure-all, and it sounds like the project is too young for clinical trials or to produce statistics about relapse rates or anything, but isn't it worth checking out this avenue as a possibility for addiction therapy? I mean, maybe kicking an addiction is much about willpower, but whence that willpower?

Re:Being a former drug addict, I think

[SuricouRaven]

In the case of most drugs, not only is it a chemical effect, but it's possible to point to the exact chemical receptors. Morphine, for example, binds to -opioid receptors - causing analgesic and euphoric effects. This causes the receptors to desensitise - which both means the morphine doesn't work so well and the dosage must be increased, and that the subject feels like crap any time they don't have enough morphine in them to counter the desensitisation to the point of physical symptoms. That's why opioids are generally not used medically unless the patient is in very severe pain, or terminal.

Nicotine works in a similar way, affecting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The effect is less dramatic, but the basic mechanism is the same. Just ask someone who has quit smoking how hard it was for them.

Re:Being a former drug addict, I think

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

If you think you can still be friends with addicts/users, you are mistaken. If they can't get clean, screw them, they will only pull you down.

I suppose it can work with hard drugs or alcohol - I am not, and never was, a user or either, so I'm no specialist though.

However, I AM a nicotine addict. I say nicotine and not tobacco, because I have switched to vaping as a risk mitigation strategy (and quit smoking for good as a result).

One thing I can tell you as a former smoker is, when you're hooked on tobacco, there's no escaping it. You can't avoid being with other smokers, because the smell of cigarette is everywhere. When I quit smoking, it'd only take some random guy who had just smoked outside, walking past me, reeking of cold cigarette smoke, to send me craving like there was no tomorrow.

Random guys who smell of tobacco are everywhere. You just can't escape the smell. You're constantly bombarded with reminders that, yes, you'd really REALLY want to smoke one just right now.

Re:Being a former drug addict, I think

[Thanshin]

If you think being a nicotine addict makes it hard to avoid contact with the addiction, just imagine being addicted to sex.

Your choices go from cabin in the woods to monk temple.

Re:Unrealistic...

[bickerdyke]

This is about teaching on HOW to say no despite peer pressure.

Re:Unrealistic...

[Black Parrot]

The nice thing about this "treatment" is that you can experience the VR party at home, where you can reach for your stash.

Re:Unrealistic...

[flyneye]

Peer pressure has LITTLE to do with it. WILL has everything to do with it.
First, rehab is for those who have the will to quit,want to quit, will work to quit.
Being sent to rehab by the court or family only results in a "go along, get along" approach to rehab.
These are the people who run out and get a fix upon release from the facility. They don't really want to quit. They enjoy their lifestyle, they are predisposed to the pleasure the drug brings and that is the way they want to live their life. The doctors and staff KNOW this.
MOST people in rehabs aren't there by choice, but their presence indicates a stream of revenue into the rehab; so nothing will ever change.
Carry on.....

Re:What if one becomes addicted to the VR?

[operagost]

Don't be so thick.