Could This New Device Help Heroin Addicts Kick The Habit?

An Indiana court becomes the first in the U.S. to offer a new drug treatment program for offenders addicted to heroin that features a device that eases the pain of heroin withdrawal.

Kristopher Sturgis

See how the Neuro-Stim System Bridge from Innovation Health Solutions works

Greenwood City Court in Indiana kicked off a new drug treatment program this week offering those on probation that are addicted to heroin an opportunity to choose recovery over jail time. The path to recovery will be a three-step program that begins with the use of a new medical device from Innovation Health Solutions known as the Neuro-Stim System Bridge.

The device is slightly larger than a half dollar and fits just behind the ear, sending electrical feedback to the brain to block the pains of detox. A doctor or physician's assistant can place the device behind the ear where the cranial nerves sit close to the surface of the skin. From there, a battery-operated chip will send impulses to the nerves to help block pain, making it much easier to withstand the throes of withdrawal.

Often times the prospect of enduring withdrawal pains will prevent many opiate addicts from even attempting recovery. The bridge device was designed to help heroin addicts get through the agonies of withdrawal in just five days time before entering a rehabilitation program with medication-assisted treatment and counseling.

Over the summer the Union County Opiate Treatment Center in Indiana ran a six week pilot program that offered clients the Bridge device. Over the six week period 37 different patients used the device, and all 37 patients successfully completed the outpatient detox program without any setbacks.

The Bridge device is the latest in a string of advancements aimed at leveraging advanced technologies to help patients combat drug addiction. Last year FDA held a competition asking innovators to create a mobile phone app to connect patients suffering from addiction in an effort to aid in the recovery process. And for those who actually struggle with the prospect of overdosing, they could potentially be rescued by a new opioid overdose treatment device that comes in the form of a nasal atomizer to deliver life-saving drugs.

However, this new Bridge device is the first of its kind to address the process of withdrawal that patients face on the road to recovery. After five days of wearing the device, the Bridge is removed from the patient, and they will then begin to receive monthly injections of Vivitrol -- a drug designed to block the opiate receptors from producing feelings of euphoria that draw patients to use opiates. In addition to the monthly injections, patients will also receive 16 weeks to 26 weeks of rehab counseling to further help them on their road to recovery.

The program kicked off Monday and has already seen multiple offenders sign up for the treatment. The city court still considers this a pilot phase for the device, as they seek to iron out any issues that crop up with addicts using the device. If successful, the device could eventually be offered not just as an alternative to jail time, but to offenders with charges still pending. The device is also now being offered to patients outside of court on a limited basis for $600.

Kristopher Sturgis is a contributor to Qmed.