When Virtual Reality Benefits Heroin Addicts

Virtual reality suggests major innovations in the future and in all areas. It is illustrated both in leisure and in business. It could also benefit drug addicts, especially heroin addicts. The University of Houston has done just that.

Virtual reality to treat addictions

Drug addiction is a scourge well known to societies of all times … The goal of virtual reality in the treatment of drug addiction would be to recreate an atmosphere allowing heroin addicts to get rid of their addiction. Indeed, the researchers tried to design a virtual reality house comprising “stimuli" aiming to make you want addicts, and allow them to control this urge like in the real world. It took over a year to develop this virtual house.

Patrick Bordnick, researcher at the head of this study, explains that this therapy works thanks to very realistic role playing where everything is made and made from scratch.

Data from Bordnick’s latest studies on other addictions like smoking, show that participants more easily trust doctors to resist, like in the real world taking drugs. Adaptation in the virtual environment allows adaptation in the real world.

Recreating an environment conducive to heroin addicts

When during the same period, the American president wants to invest even harder in the fight against drug abuse and addictions, the University of Houston specializing in social work embarks on the fight against heroin. The system implemented uses an infrared system of eight cameras who projects ultra real 3D avatars and environments, where patients can interact and have the same behaviors as in real life. This house is named “Heroin Cave", That is to say"Cave of Heroin".

Everything is in place to make heroin addicts want to take drugs as much as possible.

Recreating the urge to take drugs in an environment where drug addicts are comfortable, allows help them control their impulsive cravings. It also lets doctors know how understand and understand the moments when heroin addicts go back, and therefore to find better ways in the treatment of their addictions.

[ad_2]