In a room resembling a computer lab on campus, each person has their own seat. The “trainees†here wear VR headsets and stand on podiums, looking somewhat alien-like. Sitting in the front row on the left side of the classroom, one student seemed particularly unusual. He was seen hitting the device and even the computer screen. This was Dacheng, a 29-year-old participant using the VR setup. In his virtual reality world, he saw a group of men and women taking methamphetamine. One person casually offered him a straw, and without hesitation, Dacheng opened his mouth and mimicked taking the straw. His actions mirrored those on the screen.
Accompanying this VR detoxification system, which was launched this year by the Drug Addiction Administration of Zhejiang Province under the name “Virtual Reality Drug Addiction Assessment and Correction System,†participants wear VR glasses to view immersive content. Currently, four compulsory isolation detoxification centers in the province have incorporated this VR detoxification feature, completing over 1,008 effective sample treatments. The data collected shows a 95.9% accuracy rate in predicting drug cravings among addicts, with an effective treatment rate of 73.6%.
During my first VR detox session, I found myself instinctively opening my mouth towards the straw on the screen. Unlike regular VR experiences, those undergoing detox also have ECG stickers attached to their arms. Throughout the process, the heart rates of drug addicts fluctuate differently, and the system records these changes to create an objective “drug craving†metric. This is measured by comparing the levels before and after treatment to assess effectiveness.
On the screen, a strip of tin foil appeared, folded and tilted back and forth. A faint blue flame dripped from beneath it. I watched as Dacheng and another young man simulated the act of “skating†and “floating fire,†familiar sensations for drug addicts when using meth. This ritualistic aspect of drug use was vividly recreated.
Next came the curling phase—meth was poured onto a tin foil-covered small bucket connected to a straw, which was then inserted into a jug of water and filtered. Finally, it was pulled out to form a makeshift pipe. Dacheng mimicked taking a deep drag from the screen.
The VR then transitioned to a room where several men and women were smoking methamphetamine together, lounging on sofas, and even fighting in front of computers. “Too much,†Dacheng remarked, noting how similar the scene was to his past life, where he often indulged in such activities with friends.
Dacheng, the sole child in his family, grew up with parents who were preoccupied with business and provided him with ample funds. Bars, cafes, and karaoke joints became his natural hangouts. One night, he picked up a straw from a friend, leading him down the path of addiction. Arrested multiple times, he was sentenced to two years in a compulsory isolation drug treatment center last year.
The VR detox program, developed in three stages, aims to induce memories of past drug use, evoke disgust towards drug usage, and finally instill a desire for freedom and a drug-free life. The first stage recreates past drug scenes, inducing memories and analyzing heart rate changes. The second stage uses aversion therapy, contrasting drug use scenarios with images of legal consequences. The final stage presents a harmonious family life and free activities to inspire hope.
Dr. Wu Xuanchen, a psychologist and co-developer of the program, explained that VR detoxification is essentially a psychological intervention. By recalling drug use memories and pairing them with aversive stimuli, the program rewrites memories associated with drug use, turning positive associations into negative ones. The team meticulously designed VR content based on interviews with numerous addicts, capturing their deepest fears to enhance the disgust response.
After completing the VR sessions, participants envision a future of freedom and normalcy. Dacheng, now out of the treatment center, hopes to reintegrate into society and start anew. However, the fear of returning to old habits remains strong. For many, the greatest fear isn't physical withdrawal but the risk of falling back into the same circles.
As the program continues to evolve, it offers a unique approach to combating addiction, blending technology with psychological insight to provide a powerful tool for recovery.
Shenzhen Essenvape Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.essenvape.com