Virtual reality will be used in the British trial to help people beat cocaine addiction

Researchers are building a virtual reality world to help people overcome cocaine addiction by repeatedly exposing them to tempting scenarios in a safe environment.

The project uses the experiences of drug users to create tailor-made 3D experiences, such as being alone in a flat or at a party with friends, where people can be immersed in realistic situations through a VR headset that stimulates the urge to take drugs to use.

Studies have shown that “cue exposure treatment” can significantly reduce cravings and relapse in recovering alcoholics, but the approach has not yet been fully tested as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction.

Paolo Deluca, the lead researcher and professor of addiction research at King’s College London, said the virtual reality world should help users break the association between tempting scenarios and their cocaine use, and give them time to practice drug refusal strategies.

“We’re trying to better understand the scenarios – the cues and interactions – that trigger cravings in people who use cocaine,” he said.

The work is one of 11 projects announced on Friday as part of a £12 million government investment to reduce drug overdoses through virtual reality, artificial intelligence and wearable technology.

Across Britain, drug overdoses claim almost 5,000 lives every year. Several of the new projects will be based in Scotland, which has the highest number of drug deaths in Europe.

Another project supported by the program is investigating whether a wearable device that talks to a chest-worn breathing monitor can detect when someone has overdosed. If the device suspects an overdose, it alerts emergency services who have access to an antidote in the hope of delivering the potentially life-saving treatment more quickly.

One of the most effective antidotes for a heroin or methadone overdose is naloxone, but the treatment is usually only available as an injection or nasal spray and cannot always be administered in time. To make the drug more accessible, another team at King’s is investigating naloxone wafers that can deliver the antidote by melting in the mouth.

Patrick Vallance, the Science Secretary, said: “These innovative projects highlight the power of collaboration in delivering life-saving treatments. By investing in these partnerships, we are tackling addiction head-on and ensuring cutting-edge science reaches those who need it most.”

The projects were announced as research suggested diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Wegovy could become a tool to prevent overdoses.

Scientists at Loyola University Chicago analyzed the health records of more than half a million adults with a history of opioid abuse. The study found that those with prescriptions for weight-loss medications were 40% less likely to overdose than those without a prescription.

Similar results emerged for alcohol abuse. Health records of more than 800,000 people with a history of alcohol problems showed that the rate of intoxication was 50% lower among those with a prescription than among those without a prescription. a report in the journal Addiction.

The drugs affect the mesolimbic system of the brain, reducing appetite and providing satisfaction after eating. But they can also affect reward pathways in the brain that play an important role in substance abuse.

Matt Field, professor of psychology at the University of Sheffield, said they could reduce the number of hospital admissions due to heroin and alcohol abuse, but it was unclear whether they helped people cut back on how often they used the substances.

“We already have drugs like naloxone specifically for the rapid treatment of heroin overdose, and they work very well,” he said. “The best way to prevent ‘alcohol intoxication’ is to avoid large amounts, and the big question is whether Ozempic helps people with this.”