Can a VR avatar help you stay sober? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT05835921

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Indiana University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a virtual reality experience, where people see an avatar that looks like them in a park, can help those in early recovery from stimulant use reduce drug use and stay abstinent longer. Researchers will compare this VR experience to a plain VR park without avatars. The goal is to see if the avatar helps people connect with their future self and make healthier choices.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Virtual Reality Avatar experience
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, non-drug tool to help people in early recovery from stimulant use stay abstinent and think more about their future.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with 200 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The VR intervention is experimental and may not lead to lasting behavior change.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for STIMULANT USE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

STIMULANT USE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Indiana University School of Medicine - Goodman Hall

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.