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Neuromodulation Devices for Opioid Withdrawal: FAQ

By Eric Hulsey, DrPH 

Neuromodulation devices are increasingly being marketed as “unmedicated opioid treatment,” but treating opioid withdrawal symptoms is not the same as treating opioid use disorder. 

As interest in these devices grows, it is important for policymakers, professionals in correctional and treatment settings, and decision-makers who are responsible about managing opioid settlement funds to understand the available evidence for these devices. 

IRETA developed Neuromodulation Devices for Opioid Withdrawal: Frequently Asked Questions to support informed decision-making and to help people evaluate interventions for overdose prevention and response. The FAQ provides a clear, data-informed overview of these devices and where they may (or may not) fit within the broader continuum of overdose prevention, treatment, and recovery.  

This FAQ emphasizes that neuromodulation devices are not treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) and should not be viewed as a replacement for evidence-based treatment. While early studies suggest these devices may modestly reduce some withdrawal symptoms, the overall evidence remains limited.  

This resource addresses the following questions: 

  • What are neuromodulation devices? 
  • How do they work to reduce opioid withdrawal? 
  • Are these devices FDA-approved? 
  • Are these devices effective in treating opioid withdrawal symptoms? 
  • What are effective treatments for managing opioid withdrawal symptoms? 
  • What are some of the potential risks of using neuromodulation devices to treat opioid withdrawal? 
  • How much do these devices cost compared to other options? 
  • Where might these devices fit in the overdose prevention, treatment, and recovery continuum? 

 

View the full FAQ here 

Eric G. Hulsey, DrPH, MA is the executive director of the Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA) based in Pittsburgh, PA.  He has over 20 years of experience in health and human services including clinical services, health analytics, information systems, SUD services innovations and quality improvement and has worked in overdose prevention for most of his career.  In recent years, he has worked extensively with counties and states to support decision-making related to managing opioid settlement funds.