About this Event
Relate XR was founded as a collaboration between Oberlin and Andrew Nelson. The duo teamed up after Oberlin sought a partner who could turn his research on the power of “future-self avatars” in the addiction recovery process into an experience available to people in early recovery.
Through the technology, individuals in recovery experience a realistic digital representation of themselves who speaks in their own voice about having fulfilled personal goals and ambitions — such as a stable job or a family — versus another version of themselves who did not stay in recovery. The approach is based on Oberlin’s extensive research on the role of valuing the future in addiction recovery.
“There are a number of approaches that have been tried to help people value their future more than their present, but it’s difficult because some people are predisposed to favor immediate gratification — and there is some evidence that drug use itself exacerbates focus on the present,” Oberlin said. “VR offers a uniquely immersive experience, which gives it its power as a therapeutic for shifting focus onto the future.
Event venue & nearby stays
Innovation Hall (IO) 101, 625 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.