I love to see new innovations in the domain of opioid withdrawal treatment. One of the newest inventions in this area is the NSS-2 Bridge, which is the first-ever FDA-approved device for treating the symptoms of acute withdrawal.
According to Innovative Health Solutions (the creators of the NSS-2 Bridge device), “The NSS-2 BRIDGE is a percutaneous nerve field stimulator (PNFS) device system, that can be used as an aid to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, through application to branches of Cranial Nerves V, VII, IX, and X, as well as branches of the occipital nerves identified by transillumination.”
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FDA Approval of The NSS-2 Bridge Device
On November 15th, 2017, there was an FDA Press Release that provided detailed information on the approval of this device for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
According to the press release, “The FDA cleared the EAD (electro auricular device, now called Bridge Neurostimulation System) in 2014 for use in acupuncture. FDA’s granting of the current request for the NSS-2 Bridge expands the use of the device as an aid to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It is available only by prescription.”
Research Study on the NSS-2 Bridge for Opiate Withdrawal
Typically, to get FDA approval a medication or device would need to be tested in a randomized controlled trial. With the NSS-2 Bridge, however, there has been no such trial.
Instead, the FDA granted approval for the device to be used for opioid withdrawal based on data they reviewed from a single-arm clinical study of 73 patients undergoing opioid physical withdrawal.
The study evaluated patients’ clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) score.
The COWS is a clinical assessment conducted by a health care professional that measures opioid withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Resting pulse rate
- Sweating
- Pupil size
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Bone and joint aches
- Tremors
- Anxiety
The COWS score goes all the way up to 36, and the higher the score the worse the withdrawal severity.
Prior to receiving the NSS-2 Bridge device, the average COWS score was 20.1, and twenty minutes after the Bridge was placed, the average score dropped to 7.5. At 30 minutes, it was 4.0, and at 60 minutes it was 3.1.
How Does the NSS-2 Bridge Device Work?
The NSS-2 Bridge is a small electronic stimulator which is about the size of a hearing aid. Once the Bridge is inserted by a physician behind a patient’s ear, electrical pulses are painlessly delivered through the skin to four cranial nerves.
The Bridge is said to target an area of the brain called the amygdala, which is the place where fear originates. During opioid withdrawal, the amygdala goes haywire and fires off copious amounts of fear-generating hormones, and that’s one of the main reasons opioid withdrawal is so scary.
According to Innovative Health Solutions, “University-based research studies indicate that the Bridge sends gentle electrical impulses to areas of the brain and branches of nerves leading into the spinal chord via [electrodes attached to the skin] near nerve endings found in and around the ear, effectively aiding in the reduction of symptoms of opioid withdrawal in often as little as 10 minutes.”
Where Can I Get the NSS-2 Bridge?
If you would like to use the Bridge for opiate withdrawal, you simply find a treatment program or private physician that offers this device as a form of treatment.
You can find it at various inpatient and outpatient programs, and some private doctors also carry the device for use in treating acute opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Finally, since it is approved for acupuncture as well, you may be able to find an acupuncturist that can treat your withdrawal with the NSS-2 Bridge.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Skin irritation and a small amount of bleeding where the device rests behind the ear are the only found negative effects thus far. Furthermore, the NSS-2 Bridge is an electrical device, so one must be careful when wearing it.
It is water resistant but must be kept dry while showering. It is recommended that the patient cover the device with something plastic.
This device is not advised for patients with hemophilia, cardiac pacemakers, or psoriasis vulgaris.
Final Thoughts…
It’s too bad you can’t buy the NSS-2 Bridge at Walgreens, Longs, and other drug stores over-the-counter without a prescription. In reality, however, the device is only provided with a doctor’s prescription.
It costs around $600, and the treatment duration is 5 days.
I wish there was a randomized controlled trial for the NSS-2 to have more credit, but I do love the results of the study mentioned above.
I also appreciate anecdotal evidence, and so far I’ve heard from one person that said the Bridge took away nearly all of their acute withdrawal symptoms.
Hopefully, in the future, a company will come out with a device that can be used for the post-acute withdrawal symptoms, which often linger for weeks to months after the acute withdrawal has ended.
While the NSS-2 Bridge can potentially help you feel a lot better during the first 5 days getting off opioids, the post-acute symptoms arise when the Bridge is removed after 5 days.
If you have any comments or questions on the NSS-2 Bridge device, please post them in the comment box below.
I was kind of wondering about the ascorbic acid detox. black seed oil. and where could I get something to measure 25 grams and up.
I just found this page after looking for as many ways as possible to reduce my withdrawal effects as I plan to go cold turkey tomorrow.
I honestly cannot see how this device would work AT ALL. Drugs that work to reduce the central nervous system over stimulation after rebound from being consistently attenuated through the use of opiates can help somewhat – propanalol for anxiety, any benzos (they work – but I would avoid giving more additive drugs to an addict).. things do exist to help, but all they do is mask certain symptoms.
The brain is CRYING OUT for the chemicals it has stopped making because it expects to get them from the opiates you were taking. Endorphins – short for Endogenous Morphine, ie Morphine made by the body.. Tha’ts why opiates work, they’re mimicking something the body makes itself – one of its roles is in feeling pleasure, but it obviously has multiple functions because it regulates anxiety, fear, depression and temperature – to name but a few.
This device will not magically make the brain produce those missing neurotransmitter chemicals. You’re still going to have to go through acute withdrawal – this may work to calm parts of the brain involved in anxiety and over-stimulation of the CNS. But apart from that, the effects have got to be pretty minimal and nothing that probably can’t be treated more directly with a known drug.
Look no further than right here buddy. It works. And it works well. I went from writhing and puking to sitting up having a normal conversation in maybe 5 minutes. Watch the YouTube videos, not just from the IHS, but other facilities that use it. It’s a goddman miracle. I’m US Marine Combat Vet and I’m tearing up writing this. I just had mine taken off today. This thing will play an integral role in stopping the opioid epidemic since for most of us stopping is the hardest part. Not any more my friend.
I got the NSS-2 Bridge device to get off of Percocet; I was on a low dosage 5/325mg 3x a day (I am a combat veteran with back injuries). I got the Bridge within 24 hours of stopping Percocet as I could not take any time off of work or mommy duties. Doctor also prescribed clonidine, zofran, and bentyl. First 3 days was rough. Now I am on day 7 and started LDN 1.5mg. I don’t have the need to take the clonidine, zofran, or bentyl. Feeling pretty good. Hopeful as I titrate up to 3.0mg of LDN, I will feel even better, and my pain will be controlled. From my experience, the NSS-2 bridge device was a success! Downside–I had to pay $800 out of pocket to get the device.
You said you are s combat vet as am I. I was wondering if you have any idea how to get one through the VA? I lost my private insurance and only have the department of veterans affairs to lean on and could use a friggen break with no more medical bills if possible. Anyway, hope you are still well and look forward to hearing more feedback regarding this device, as well as treatment at the VA.
Thank you.
Who installed it for you Michelle? Usually they charge a premium for the cost of the device and the prescribing etc. etc….
Hello, I would just just like to relay my recent experience with the Bridge. I finished a 10 day NAD, which stands for (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment here in the Northwest of the the United States and on on the 2nd day had the Bridge device installed. This was done in a clinic run by a Psychiatrist who specializes in addictions. I was having severe withdrawals the night before and had to take 4 mg of suboxone plus clonidine, baclofen, clonazepam, hydroxyzine, tizanidine as well as herbs and vitamins such passion flower and ashwaganda. When I showed up the next morning, a lot of the -climbing the wall all night symptoms- had subsided somewhat. I elected for the Bridge device to be used at that point because it is supposed to be helpful for 5 days and I was to be there another 9, so any help I could get, I wanted to try. I noticed at first some zinging or zapping on the ear where the points of the Bridge were connected. I stopped noticing them sometime that day. Other than that I can’t tell you I noticed any other effect. I still bounced up and down all night with restlessness for the next few nights. A little sleep happened on the 3rd after taking a large dose of clonazepam which has been prescribed for chronic anxiety with derealization and insomnia that started at age 23. Marijuauna and probably a disposition as well as trauma’s all have a contributing factor in why these developed. I am now 53. The next night was a little less restless and I had another 5 to 7 mg of clonazepam for a few hours of sleep. I had weened down to 0.5 for well over a year so I feel I have gone backwards to some degree. I also had some alcohol witch was discouraged but I’m also addicted to it as well. I completed the rest of the duration of NAD+ therapy without the use of heroin but relapsed as soon as I came home. I have support from family and friends so there is still hope, although not much at times. Feel like I have fallen thru the cracks. I have noticed benefit from the the I.V infused NAD but I cannot recommend either (NAD or the Bridge) as a stand alone treatment as both are expensive and I have already relapsed. Neither helped during the first 5 days and nights as I was hoping for less withdrawal. According to testimonials, it was this and the lessening of the post acute including insomnia that both of these treatment’s are supposed to help with. According to the provider of the clinic, (anyone who tells you that you will not still experience withdrawal especially during the acute phase is basically not telling the truth). To be fair, I have had these malady’s for 30 years. Expecting a 10 day I.V drip and an acupuncture device to totally fix me is a little unrealistic. I would like to point out that NAD+ is toted as helping with addictions of many kinds, sleep, ptsd and even anti aging so My Life is worth the try and experience. Many have been helped by both NAD and the Bridge according to testimonies and I doubt that they were all paid handsomely to say so. I say if you have the money, try it. Unfortunately, both of these are out of reach of the average Joe. Fortunately, I did not start heroin till my 50’s and I have been able to stop for long periods of time. The lack of sleep is probably my biggest trigger, but there are numerous as most of you know. I have tried many modalities of treatment and spent thousands of dollars. Everything from A.A, Medical intuitive’s, psychiatrist’s, Dialectic behavior therapy to inpatient rehab and tons of different medications. Maybe my suffering has somehow lessened someone else’s.? Balance as in the Yin and the Yang of the world, Although I think it would be better to find more of this with in myself. I have really enjoyed reading the many articles on your site Matt. I feel you have helped many! Our world needs more of the type of compassion and understanding that this and other like minded sites, individuals and groups of all kinds have to offer. Thank you! I need to try at least one more time and I have a good idea of what I would like to add to and for my journey that I have discovered here. Jim
My problems is tramadol,Matt we’ve discussed and you know my problem well,anxiety, depression, terrible headache, my legs pains as if my bones are breaking a part,insomnia among many more,kindly give a prescription I live in Kenya where most of the things (drugs) you talk about can’t be found.Kindly advise
Can you get vitamin C in Kenya?
To finally see something developed for opiate withdrawal that doesn’t have to be ingested, & therefore, so few side effects or drug interactions to worry about is promising. Not to mention a device like this could become cheaper with time & more widely available. It’s that acute opiate withdrawal Hell that sends addicts right back out so quickly, but I agree about PAWS being just as much of a factor, long term, in what makes it so difficult for those trying to recover & stay clean to maintain abstinence.
As I’ve said before, an addict who becomes involved in a program of recovery with the support, guidance, & fellowship of other addicts is going to have a far greater chance of staying clean than someone just applying the proper remedy of detox cocktails or even using a device like this alone. For many addicts, getting off the drug can seem like the easy part; it’s re-engaging in normal, every day life that proves to be so darn hard with some symptoms persisting for 12-18 months.
The more supports one places in their toolbox such as exercise, sleep, nutrition, supplements, meds for underlying disorders or conditions, & a support system, the better one’s chances are.
Thank Matt for all you continue to do to help save lives👍😊
Wonderful words of wisdom, Lise. Thanks for posting this. 🙂
Hey lise, I just read you comment on opiateaddictionsupport.com after I posted a comment about using the bridge device and I just wanted to say that you are speaking with and from wisdom. I wish I would of read it before posting for some reason.
Can you tell me what is easier to come off ocycodone or Hydromorph cotin 18 mg
The oxycodone of the same mg is not as powerful.
What about Kratom? Why doesn’t the fda fo a simple study like this with a natural leaf? Is it a crutch? Is this a crutch. Give me a break. Hopefully not terrible side effects.
Kratom is natural so it cannot be patented by drug companies. No money in it for them, and thus you’ll never see a study done.
Does this work for methadone? I have experienced cold Turkey withdrawal symptoms and I didn’t feel right for like 4 to 6 months. Horrible. I am currently on methadone because I relapsed on heroin and was discharged from my suboxone clinic. I’m wondering if I use this device initially, and then kratom, exercise after, would that work? I realize there are no studies on kratom, but I have heard it works, I have never tried it though. Is that possible?
Yes, it works for any opioid drug, including methadone. However, since methadone withdrawal lasts longer than 5 days it wouldn’t be the only treatment to use. The easiest way to get off methadone is to switch over to a short-acting opioid (my favorite is kratom) for a few weeks, then taper off the short-acting opioid over the span of a few more weeks. I wrote an ebook on this methadone and published for free on my blog. Here is a link to the book, called The Kratom Playbook For Opiate Recovery.
I’ve helped clients and friends use this methadone to come off methadone with ease.
Is the NSS_2 device available in the UK?? If so where and how much does it cost??
I just Googled it and didn’t find anything on that in the first 3 pages. My guess from that search would be “no” though I’m not certain about that. However, I feel like it would’ve come up in the search results if it was approved in the UK.
You rock! You’re on point and about helping your fellow addicts. Congrats on making it outta hell! Your page is the kine! Thank you For your help and time sweetie, really. You helped me learn about kratom, loprerderm, and many other topics. Including this device. I’m at a year clean again and I just can’t go back. Blessings to you and yours! 🤘😎🤘
Thanks for the feedback, Jess!! And CONGRATS on your year off opiates well done!!! Blessing to you and your family as well. 🙂