In Germany alone, 1,6 million people are alcohol dependent. Affected individuals suffer from health issues, unemployment and social exclusion. The indirect costs for the economy are estimated to 30 billion euros. Alcohol dependence is a chronic disorder with relapse rates up to 80 percent after treatment. This points to a fundamental deficit in the current care path.
One mechanism contributing to relapse is craving, which is defined as a strong urge and desire to consume alcohol. Craving is most commonly experienced in situations that remind the individual of alcohol intake. This includes the smell and sight of an alcoholic beverage and more complex sceneries such as the local pub or gatherings of social groups. To date, most therapies do not incorporate these real-life situations. Thus, after therapy most patients have not learned how to cope with situations, that make them particularly prone to relapse.
We are developing an immersive virtual reality therapy that exposes alcohol dependent patients to personalized high-risk situations. With VirtuCueR patients can acquire specific skills to overcome craving and reduce relapse risk. Patients wear a head-mounted display, that exposes them to the environments. The exposure can be controlled and adjusted by a therapist. As the treatment is easily applicable it can be administered by various professionals (e.g. social workers, psychotherapists, nurses). The treatment can be used in outpatient settings, counselling and rehabilitation centers.
We are a multiprofessional team consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists and scientists from Charité and a partner agency (neomento GmbH), specialized to develop virtual-reality treatments.
Dr. S. Gutwinski
Psychiatrist
N. Tsamitros
Psychiatrist
Dr. A. Bröcker
Psychotherapist
Dr. Sebold
Psychologist
Prof. A. Beck
HMU Potsdam
Prof. T. Wolbers
Psychologist
P. Stepnicka
VR-T-Designer
Dr. Streck
VR-Programmer