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THE BRIDGE DEVICE FOR OPIOID WITHDRAWAL

Opioid withdrawal can cause some painfully cruel symptoms.
The #1 reason for relapse back to opioids is the FEAR of withdrawal.
It’s what stops many from even starting on the road to beating their addiction.

What Is The Bridge Device

An FDA Cleared Device to Address Withdrawal Symptoms

The Bridge device is a small, battery-powered device that is worn behind the ear to help reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It was approved by the FDA in 2017 and is available by prescription. The device works by delivering a mild electrical current to the brain, which helps to block the transmission of pain signals. This can help to reduce the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, and insomnia.

The Bridge device is not a cure for opioid addiction, but it can be a helpful tool in the treatment process. It can help to make withdrawal more bearable, which can make it easier for people to stay in treatment and eventually achieve long-term recovery.

the bridge device

How Does The Bridge Work?

The Bridge device works by hitting the body where addiction starts: the brain. It uses neuro-modulation, or electrical stimulation of specific areas of the brain interfering with pain signals and reduces firing in an area of the brain linked to fear and anxiety, the amygdala.

The Bridge takes advantage of 4 cranial nerves that are well represented in the ear, Cranial Nerves 5, 7, 9, and 10. These nerves go back to the brainstem and into the spinal cord where they disrupt efferent and afferent pain signals.

These stimulations can provide relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Patients can use the device for up to five days during the acute physical withdrawal phase.

The INSynergy-Bridge Protocol transitions people in withdrawal from opiates more comfortably onto Vivitrol, a long acting, monthly injection of naltrexone, which is non-addicting and non-divertible.

Our published clinical data shows that 85% of the symptoms are reduced within 30 minutes and animal model imaging shows a 65% reduction of firing activity in the amygdala, the area of the brain responsible for fear and anxiety.

The device is contraindicated for patients with hemophilia, patients with cardiac pacemakers and those diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris.

Benefits of the Bridge Device

The following are some of the benefits of the Bridge Device:

  • It is non-invasive and drug-free.
  • It is effective in reducing the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms.
  • It is well-tolerated, with few side effects reported.
  • It can help people to stay in treatment and achieve long-term recovery.
  • Effectively blocks pain signals
  • Drastically lowers overall pain and discomfort levels

 

Symptoms People Experience During Withdrawal:

The Bridge Device works by gently sending electrical impulses to areas of the brain and branches of cranial nerves that lead into the spinal cord.  It is about the size of a half dollar and fits discreetly behind the ear.

During opioid withdrawal, out of control pain signals overwhelm the spinal cord and brain and cause terrible feelings of pain and anxiety. The Bridge Device interferes with these signals can oftentimes reduce 85% of opioid withdrawal symptoms within 30 minutes. University based animal imaging showed a reduction of neuronal firing of the amygdala by 65% with the Bridge Device. The amygdala is a part of the deep brain stem which is responsible for the fear and anxiety response.

  • Excessive sweating
  • GI upset, nausea, vomiting
  • Unbearable anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Joint and muscle pain

To combat this roadblock, INSynergy has implemented a revolutionary treatment. The NSS-2 Bridge is the first FDA approved device of its kind. Its development was pioneered for addiction treatment by Dr. Taca and his team.

The Bridge Device can reduce the pain of opioid withdrawal in less than 30 minutes. In about the time it takes to watch a television program, you can experience relief from the pain of withdrawal. INSynergy can reduce the hardest part of your first phase of recovery…and you can do it in the comfort of your own home.

WHAT IS The INSynergy-Bridge Protocol?

During this period, traditional non-narcotic rescue medications are offered to assure that the detox process is comfortable and successful. Many people enjoy the fact that they can still live their life with minimal interruption – all while going through what is supposed to be the most difficult steps of their path to recovery. After wearing the device for 5 days, it’s simply discarded…and the next steps toward recovery can be taken.

After a successful detox, VIVITROL can be used to people that desire to live opioid free and start laying the groundwork for a successful recovery.

So, if the pain of withdrawal is preventing you from taking that first step, this innovative INSynergy-Bridge Protocol can be your first step in your recovery. 

The chart below shows the mean clinical opioid withdrawal scale (COWS) scores while using The Bridge device during withdrawal.

There was an 85% reduction in COWS in 1 hour without medications for the patients using The Bridge device.

More About Opiate Withdrawal

Addiction to opioids, a class of drugs that includes heroin and prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and fentanyl, has skyrocketed in recent years across the United States. About 1.9 million people have prescription painkiller use disorder, and 435,000 are regular users of heroin, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Once addicted, stopping can be daunting. A body that has become used to regular infusions of a drug will start producing a cascade of physical symptoms if it is denied that drug. Symptoms include muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, shakes and vomiting. Many people who try to quit using the drugs start using again within a few hours if only to ease the pain.

FROM THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND Alcohol ABUSE

Neuromodulation with percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation is associated with reduction in signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal: a multisite, retrospective assessment

by Adrian Miranda, MD and Arturo Taca Jr., MD

Finding an effective, non-pharmacological approach to treat opioid withdrawal could remove some of the barriers associated with pharmacotherapy. The BRIDGE® is a noninvasive, percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulator developed to target pain.

This pilot study aimed to determine (1) the effects of the BRIDGE on withdrawal scores during the induction phase of opioid withdrawal therapy, (2) the percentage of subjects who successfully transitioned to medication assisted therapy (MAT).

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