Successful VR Therapy Pilot in Vancouver Now a Permanent Addiction Treatment
After a successful VR therapy pilot for addiction treatment in 2024 at a Vancouver-based clinic, our VR Coach smart system has now been permanently adopted. This cutting-edge approach uses virtual exposure therapy to recreate high-risk consumption situations involving hard and illegal substances. Patients actively engage with realistic addiction triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and strengthen their ability to resist cravings, reducing the risk of relapse.
Initiated by the University of British Columbia: A Global Search for the Best VR Therapy System
In late 2023, we received an inquiry from Chief Physician Dr. Schutz at the University of British Columbia, who was searching for a VR therapy solution for addiction treatment. The goal was to find a system that could be integrated into a planned pilot study in Vancouver.
After an extensive global search, three VR therapy systems were shortlisted for testing. We accepted the invitation and provided our VR Coach smart system for evaluation, focusing on its ability to deliver highly immersive virtual exposure therapy tailored to addiction recovery.
Sponsored by Telus Health: Supporting Innovation in Addiction Treatment
The project received financial backing from Telus Health, a leading health technology subsidiary of the Canadian telecommunications provider Telus. Telus Health operates in over 100 countries, investing in groundbreaking addiction treatment solutions.
To support the pilot study, we developed a custom VR training environment specifically designed for the needs of addiction patients in Vancouver. We called it “Back Alley”—a realistic virtual setting where patients confront high-risk consumption situations, experience addiction triggers, and practice making alternative choices. Within this environment, they can simulate substance use, safely dispose of drugs, or engage in relapse-prevention strategies.
Implemented by the Provincial Health Services Authority: A Three-Phase VR Therapy Approach
The initial study took place at the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health & Addiction, with additional support from the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). The VR therapy was structured into three phases to ensure gradual exposure and maximize patient comfort:
Phase 1: Patients explore a neutral VR training environment to familiarize themselves with the technology and assess their level of comfort.
Phase 2: They navigate real-world scenarios, such as a supermarket or an apartment, without direct exposure to addiction triggers.
Phase 3: Patients gradually encounter addiction-related stimuli within realistic consumption situations. They learn to recognize cravings, regulate emotional responses, and practice alternative coping mechanisms.
After the successful completion of the pilot project, the VR therapy program was fully integrated into the clinic’s addiction treatment protocols, reinforcing its effectiveness as a long-term tool for relapse prevention.
Why Our VR Therapy System Stood Out: Advanced Technical Capabilities
Our VR Coach smart system was ultimately chosen over the other two competing VR therapy solutions due to its unique technical advantages and high level of interactivity:
✅ Full Therapist Control – Clinicians customize therapy sessions, adjusting the intensity of addiction triggers and selecting from various virtual exposure environments.
✅ Immersive & Interactive – Patients actively engage with objects, such as holding and opening bottles, lighting joints or crack pipes, or administering injections.
✅ Alternative Behavioral Choices – Instead of consuming substances, patients can opt to pour out alcohol, discard syringes, or safely dispose of drugs in the virtual world—reinforcing healthier decisions.
This combination of highly realistic VR exposure therapy and patient-controlled decision-making makes our VR Coach smart system a game-changer in addiction treatment, helping individuals resist cravings, develop self-control, and prevent relapse.
Learn more about this VR Coach smart system here
