Virtual reality to be used in UK trial to help people beat cocaine addiction

Researchers in a UK-based trial are developing a virtual reality programme to help tackle cocaine addiction, immersing participants in realistic situations designed to strengthen their resolve against relapse.

The virtual reality trial is one of 11 projects announced on October 18^th as part of a £12 million government scheme to reduce drug overdose and addiction relapse. With the number of people seeking treatment for cocaine addiction increasing by 17% in 2023, drug overdose now accounts for nearly 5,000 fatalities across Britain each year.

With most current treatments for cocaine addiction being deemed as having little real impact, the virtual reality trial seeks to develop an innovative use of ‘cue exposure treatment’ (CET), a technique designed to desensitise participants to environmental triggers of cravings.

“We are trying to better understand the scenarios – the cues and interactions – that trigger cravings in people who use cocaine," said Paolo Deluca, the lead researcher behind the trial and an addiction research professor at King’s College London.

One of the primary obstacles in treating cocaine addiction is classical conditioning, which refers to the phenomenon where certain environmental cues – such as places, people, or objects - can trigger cravings in the brain, increasing the risk of relapse.

To tackle this, participants will first be assessed with watch-like devices that, when worn, can monitor their physical responses to triggers in their daily environment. The trial will then employ virtual reality technology to immerse the individuals in realistic scenarios that mimic these personal triggers, allowing them to gradually break the association between these cues and their cocaine use.

When commenting on the trial, Andrew Gwynne, the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “We’re determined to harness the full potential of cutting-edge technology to save thousands of lives across the country. I want the UK to lead the way in championing innovation to end the harmful effects of addiction.”

Whilst CET has been previously proven effective in treating alcohol dependence, its use for cocaine addiction has yet to be explored. Should the project prove successful, it could be implemented for widespread use across the UK, offering hope for thousands struggling with addiction and paving the way for innovative treatment approaches in the future.