Opioids are a class of drugs that include illegal drugs like heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and more. Unintentional overdose deaths involving opioid pain relievers have more than quadrupled since 1999, and in 2016, more than 42,000 people died from an opioid overdose, averaging out to approximately 115 people per day.
Although there are effective treatments for opioid addiction, the symptoms of withdrawal can be painful and unpleasant, and many people choose to continue using rather than suffer the effects of withdrawal. Of those who do start treatment, an unfortunately high number discontinue it once these symptoms begin to present themselves.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a wearable device for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms. The device is called Drug Relief, made by DyAnsys, Inc., and it’s available by prescription only. The device is called a percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator, which in layman’s terms means it is worn on the head and there are needles inserted at three specific points around the ear to facilitate electrical stimulation. Drug Relief is small and battery-operated, and it is held in place behind the ear with adhesives. Tiny needles are placed at nerve endings in the ear. During treatment, electrical pulses are sent through the needles into the nerve endings. This method of treatment is called auricular neurostimulation therapy.
The treatment is non-addictive and it’s meant to be worn for 120 hours (five days) and then discarded. A reduction in opioid withdrawal symptoms can start to occur within as little as 30 to 60 minutes of beginning the treatment. Drug Relief is meant to reduce to need for or even completely eliminate opioid agonist treatments – namely methadone (Methadose) or buprenorphine (Suboxone), which are long acting opioid drugs that prevent withdrawal for 24 to 36 hours without causing a person to get high. Both of these drugs have the potential for abuse and addiction, particularly methadone, and are frequently sold to other drug users who take them to get high. The Drug Relief device, on the other hand, has no such potential for misuse.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can include agitation, anxiety, muscle aches, increased tearing, insomnia, runny nose, sweating, yawning, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dilated pupils, goose bumps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms can begin as soon as 12 hours after your last drug use and may last anywhere from a week to the month. They’re often described as being similar to having the flu and are typically not life threatening, although there are some exceptions. If left untreated, persistent vomiting and diarrhea may result in dehydration, hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium level), and eventually heart failure.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
