Virtual Reality and Its Role in Combating Addiction

At Victory Recovery Partners, a network of addiction recovery centers on Long Island, New York, we are always interested in new technology and treatment methods that could potentially help our patients. Recently, a company called RelateXR was formed by a group of researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine. Their goal with this startup company is to use virtual reality to help those with addictions overcome them by envisioning a brighter, positive future.  

One of the founders of RelateXR, Brandon Oberlin, explains that there is a common theme and pattern with those who suffer with addictions; they have a hard time looking to the future, and envisioning a future point in their lives where the addictions and substance use has resolved. Building on this thought, Oberlin explains that those suffering with addictions put less value on their future than those who do not suffer from an addiction.  

Let’s take a closer look at RelateXR’s platform and see how all of this works. The company creates avatars based on photos of the users, along with copying and replicating the users’ voices. By doing so, users are then able to “virtually travel” as far as 15 years into the future. The goal that Oberlin shares is that he is hoping that by traveling to the future (virtually, of course), the user will see more of a positive benefit to valuing their future. This allows the user to see two very different versions of themselves – one where they are suffering with an addiction, and a version of themselves in recovery.  

RelateXR has already raised several million dollars to begin the journey of their potentially game-changing invention. As of July 2024, there have been over 70 users that have tested the product.  

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, a shocking number – over 96,000 people die of drug overdoses annually. With this being said, here at Victory we are always looking for helpful ways to treat opioid addictions and other drug addictions. Is this virtual reality startup on to something big? It is still too soon to know. However, it’s certainly interesting to learn about new technology that could eventually be implemented along with the more traditional treatment methods. The unique features that RelateXR provides are the ability for the users to virtually “quit” their drug use. By doing so, they can see a better future, where drugs do not play a role. Rather, they will be able to see how they can accomplish important goals such as getting a better education, meeting a spouse, and raising a family. When the app was in development and being tested in a controlled trial, the app’s users saw an increase in efficacy, which means they have a greater chance of obtaining recovery. The key to the app’s success is to have both the avatars and voices of the users to be authentic and realistic to each individual user. This allows the users to feel like they are really part of the experience.  

Victory Recovery Partners, a network of five addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York provides the treatments needed to overcome addiction and substance use disorder. By providing treatment methods under one roof, including behavioral health, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), psychiatric and wellness services, we provide a “total and complete-care” environment for our patients. To learn more about Victory, visit our website www.victoryrp.com