# Enhancing Prospection with Virtual Reality in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery

> **NIH NIH R01** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2022 · $708,569

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
We propose a novel virtual reality intervention to increase abstinence, enhance future orientation and delayed
reward preference, quantify brain responses, and improve recovery outcomes in early recovering alcohol use
disorder (AUD) persons. We also intend to demonstrate that aged future selves representing alternate futures
are the ‘active ingredient’ of the intervention. Impaired future orientation and discounted future outcomes
appear to be a behavioral endophenotype for AUD and other addictions. With recovery attempts usually failing
within 6 months of treatment, there is considerable room for improved efficacy for long-term recovery.
Converging evidence indicates that a hallmark of AUD is preference for immediate hedonic rewards and
impaired visualizing and planning for the future. To enhance visualization of the future, we extend prior work on
episodic future thinking through virtually experiencing plausible alternate futures. Our intervention increases
connectedness with one’s future by immersing subjects in a realistic interaction with their Future Selves in
divergent futures that rely on present decisions. We integrate self-discrepancy theory, focusing on the gap
between “what is” and “what could be” to heighten motivation, and we promote engagement by maximizing the
novelty and emotional salience of the experience. Early-recovering AUD persons enter a compelling virtual
world, are introduced to a time travel narrative, and interact with two digitally age-progressed Future Selves;
one after 15 years of ongoing alcohol abuse, and the other after 15 years of recovery. Both Future Selves
speak to the participant about their recovery rewards, or losses from returning to problem drinking, and
personal struggles during the journey. Strong emphasis is placed on agency, optimism, and decision-making.
After iterative development and tests of feasibility and safety, the paradigm yielded promising preliminary data
showing increased prosocial behavioral change and brain target engagement. Interacting with Future Selves in
virtual reality significantly increased abstinence rates compared to a treatment-as-usual comparison group,
increased identification with the future, increased behavioral delay-of-reward, and enhanced brain activation
and connectivity in executive and introspection networks. The current proposal will test this paradigm in a
larger sample with an expansion of Recovery Future Self interactions (30 daily experiences) to show efficacy
compared to a virtual reality control. Aim 1 will test the effectiveness of the virtual reality intervention on
abstinence and alcohol use outcomes at 1 and 6 months, future self-similarity, and behavioral delay-of-reward.
Aim 2 will demonstrate brain target engagement by showing stronger executive and introspective network
function during decision-making and at rest, and executive network connectivity that correlates with increased
delayed reward preference. Further, brain acti...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10444167
- **Project number:** 1R01AA029396-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Brandon Oberlin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $708,569
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-20 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10444167

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10444167, Enhancing Prospection with Virtual Reality in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery (1R01AA029396-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10444167. Licensed CC0.

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