The “Bridge” device, which has been reported to reduce the pain of drug withdrawal. Provided photo
An area health system recently approved a groundbreaking device it will soon incorporate into some of its substance abuse treatment.
Reid Health last week signed off on use of the Neuro-stim System Bridge – better known as a “Bridge” – which is a non-opioid device which can help manage pain, along with the symptoms which can accompany heroin and opioid withdrawal, for a pilot program within its organization.
The “Bridge,” which goes on the ear of a patient, provides a small amount of electrical simulation to specific areas of the brain, which in turn have been shown to decrease the pain that comes with drug withdrawal up to 75 percent, per the company which created the device, Innovative Health Solutions of Versailles.
Reid’s announcement last week puts it at the forefront of health providers, nationwide, using the “Bridge” for drug treatment, and it will be a large part of the health system’s efforts to treat patients battling drug addiction.
Drug withdrawal, particularly with heroin and opioids, can result in extreme cravings and pain, which often ends up an obstacle to effective addiction treatment. With the “Bridge,” however, the pain of withdrawal will be reduced while a patient undergoes detox. With that pain reduced, it also will make the likelihood of medication and mental health treatment more successful for those battling addiction.
“Using new technology alongside addiction counseling helps reduce the barriers towards completing withdrawal and moving into further treatment and recovery. Appropriately called ‘the Bridge’, this device transitions patients through withdrawal and into treatment, which is a clearer pathway towards being themselves again,” said Craig Kinyon, president and chief executive officer of Reid Health, in a statement last week. “Our team welcomes the Bridge to bring new hope to managing withdrawal and overcoming addiction.”
Approval of the device by Reid came after several informational presentations and both hands-on and classroom training on the device.
One of those who underwent the training was Sheila Dunn, psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner for Reid Health, who actually wore the device along with Lisa Suttle, line director of Reid Health’s Psychiatric Service
“Lisa and I actually wore the device overnight to gain an understanding of what it felt like to have it in place,” Dunn said in a statement. “I quickly forgot that the device was in place … It did not interrupt my sleep at all.”
Suttle commented that she also forgot she was wearing the device, which is disposable and has a life of five days.
“I had a meeting later that day with the medical executive committee, and I forgot that I was even wearing it.” she said in a statement. “I know that for me, it helped to provide a calmness and I slept better that night.”
Reid plans to use the “Bridge” as the first step in its treatment plan for patients, with the next steps – after patients undergo the detox phase with the device – including treatment assisted by medication such as Vivitrol, followed by counseling.
“Patients are more able to engage more quickly in the therapies that are needed for recovery,” Dunn said in a statement.
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