A new study says that a 'virtual-reality' therapy could help people who are addicted to alcoholism. The treatment may help reduce their craving. The findings are a result of a small study of 10 patients. Researchers said that they are positive about the prospective of the treatment for alcohol-use disorders.

According to Dr. Bernard Le Foll, head of the Alcohol Research and Treatment Clinic, Addiction Medicine Services, Ambulatory Care and Structured Treatments at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, "Although this pilot study seems to indicate that virtual reality may produce some changes in brain metabolism, this is not yet studied as a treatment approach".

He added that more research work is needed to find out if 'virtual reality' treatment could be used in the treatment of alcohol-use disorder in western countries. According to senior researcher Doug Hyun Han of Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul, the technology is already admired in the fields of psychiatry and psychology.

Han said that virtual-reality therapy has been used for treatment of phobias and posttraumatic stress disorder. As per reports, people are needed to be exposed to situations that lead to fear and anxiety, in a safe and controlled space. After that, expectantly, they learn how to manage those situations in real life in a better way.

According to Han, it is not much clear whether virtual reality can help deal with substance use disorders. However, there has been some evidence that it can lead to reduction in people's craving for tobacco and alcohol.