The University of Houston is Using VR to Help Drug Users
Michael Hemsworth — February 29, 2016 — Lifestyle
References: ca.reuters & damngeeky
Understanding drug use more intensively and individually is key in many drug treatments, which a new study out of the University of Houston helps enhance.
Rather than just partake in therapy sessions to reveal triggers, drug users are being immersed in a virtual reality world called the "heroin cave." Here, users are subjected to an environment full of images that might set off their urge to use. Therapists can then help to decipher a better form of treatment or intervention from the VR simulation results.
Associate dean of research Patrick Bordnick, one of the leaders on the study, explains the process: "In traditional therapy we role-play with the patient but the context is all wrong. They know they're in a therapist's office and the drug isn’t there. We need to put patients in realistic virtual reality environments and make them feel they are there with the drug, and the temptation, to get a clearer picture and improve interventions."
Rather than just partake in therapy sessions to reveal triggers, drug users are being immersed in a virtual reality world called the "heroin cave." Here, users are subjected to an environment full of images that might set off their urge to use. Therapists can then help to decipher a better form of treatment or intervention from the VR simulation results.
Associate dean of research Patrick Bordnick, one of the leaders on the study, explains the process: "In traditional therapy we role-play with the patient but the context is all wrong. They know they're in a therapist's office and the drug isn’t there. We need to put patients in realistic virtual reality environments and make them feel they are there with the drug, and the temptation, to get a clearer picture and improve interventions."
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality Drug Treatments - Virtual Reality is being used to enhance drug treatments by immersing users in realistic environments called the 'heroin cave' to reveal triggers and improve interventions.
2. Individualized Drug Treatment - By immersing drug users in virtual reality simulations, individualized drug treatments can be formulated based on individual triggers and reactions.
3. Virtual Reality Therapy - Virtual reality therapy is emerging as a disruptive innovation in the field of mental health, providing more effective and immersive therapy sessions.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Virtual reality drug treatments have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by offering more effective and personalized drug treatments.
2. Mental Health - The use of virtual reality in mental health therapy has the potential to disrupt the traditional methods of therapy by providing more immersive and individualized sessions.
3. Technology - Virtual reality is disrupting the technology industry by finding new and innovative ways to incorporate its use in various fields such as mental health and drug treatments.
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