Substance use recovery is a lifelong process, but environmental triggers, such as alcohol at social gatherings or pain medication advertisements, can put individuals in recovery at risk of relapse.

Research by George Mason University social work professor Holly Matto, with colleagues from the College of Science and College of Engineering and Computing, and their Brightline Interactive Industry partner, examined how positive stimuli, what they call ‘recovery cues’, can counteract drug cravings and lower relapse risk.

Read more: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-08/harnessing-vr-prevent-substance-use-relapse