Virtual reality helps drug addicts to recover in Shanghai rehab centers

Drug rehabilitation centers in Shanghai have become the first in China to use virtual reality technology to help addicts, according to the city government.

Around 700 addicts in two of the city's five rehab centers have been using a newly developed system since late September to help staff members understand the sufferers' level of addiction and assist them to turn their lives around more quickly, the Shanghai Drug Rehabilitation Administration said.

The AI system was developed by the Shanghai Mental Health Center in cooperation with the administration, East China Normal University's School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, and Shanghai Qingtech, a company specializing in technological tracking of eye control.