- Virtual reality headsets are being used to expose addiction patients to settings where drugs, alcohol or gambling are prevalent
- New treatment reduces “arousal” in 80% of patients, according to initial data
- Patients at Priory Eden House specialist residential treatment service are the first to trial the new technology
- Priory clinicians will now roll the technology out to more patients across the UK this year
Virtual reality (VR) technology helps to improve self-control in addiction patients, according to early findings from a trial group of patients at a new Priory treatment service.
The new treatment uses virtual reality headset technology to expose patients with drug, alcohol and gambling addictions to settings such as pubs or bars, in a safe and controlled environment supported by specialist therapists and peers.
Early data indicates that the treatment may reduce physiological stress responses in 80% of patients who undertake repeated VR exposure. The reduction is based on measurements of patients’ skin conductance, used as a marker of sympathetic arousal.
Steve Clarke, addictions psychotherapist and Managing Director of Priory’s Flourish residential addiction treatment services, said: “When a person experiences stress, excitement, or other emotional states, the sweat glands become more active, leading to increased moisture on the skin’s surface. This moisture enhances the skin’s ability to conduct electricity, resulting in measurable changes in skin conductance.
“The results we’re seeing indicate that VR technology – when delivered in conjunction with other therapies – leads to patients experiencing significantly reduced levels of acute stress and improved psychological regulation during exposure to triggering environments.”
The physiological data from the trial group is supported by patients’ subjective experience. Patients reported very high perceived control over their harmful urges as a result of repeated VR therapy sessions, while their confidence levels in applying coping strategies in real-world situations were 74%.
One patient who took part in the trial, who preferred not to reveal their identity, said: “The VR is really enjoyable; it’s very realistic and I was put in the perfect scenario to help me understand my addiction.”
Clarke added: “When people are placed in triggering VR environments over time, they generally report low-to-moderate levels of craving, anxiety, and distress, rather than being overwhelmed by the scenarios. We have witnessed addiction patients successfully learning to regulate their physiological stress response.
“After one of our clients completed their first scenario, they rated their confidence to handle real-world triggers at just one out of 10. After three VR sessions, that jumped to nine out of 10. The shift happened because they weren’t just imagining success — they’d already practised it.”
Nine addiction patients at Priory Eden House in North London have been the first to trial the new technology, with five patients having completed multiple sessions. Based on the early indications of success, the technology will now be rolled out at a new suite of residential addiction services opening across the UK in 2026.
Early VR therapy patient data shows:
- Low self-reported craving and distress levels during VR exposure
- High perceived level of control and confidence in using learned coping skills
- Decrease in physiological responses to stimulus across sessions for most people
Clarke said: “Crucially, the VR scenarios are highly realistic. It is like a flight simulator for sobriety. Encouraging an alcohol addiction patient to walk into a busy pub or bar might seem counterintuitive. But we know that once patients leave addiction treatment, they return to their everyday lives and are exposed to triggering settings that they had been protected from during residential addiction treatment.
“Instead of just talking about triggers in a therapy room, we can now expose people to them in a controlled environment. We monitor their heart rate and stress levels while they’re supported by therapists and peers. They are coached through the breathing and grounding techniques that they’re learning in their treatment which transforms the way they prepare for these challenges. This has never been possible before in an inpatient or residential setting, but technology has improved significantly. The early indicators are extremely positive.
“These early findings indicate that for many people VR therapy could play a useful role in supporting recovery, while for others it will take more time. In all cases, the treatment should be delivered in conjunction with other proven addiction withdrawal therapies, with both peer and clinical support in place.”
Priory is the largest independent provider of addiction, mental health and working-age adult social care services in the UK. VR exposure treatment is provided as part of Priory Flourish, a new therapy-led residential addiction treatment service, available at Eden House in North London and soon to be rolled out at other locations across the UK.
