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With fatal overdoses now the No. 1 cause of accidental death in the U.S., the crisis of misuse and abuse of opioid drugs is impacting communities across the country — and Miami-Dade County is no exception.
Most significantly, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and powerful pain-reducing prescription medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine all have increased between 2020 and 2021.
As the opioid epidemic continues to spread, affecting Americans of all kinds, it is more important than ever for professional providers of addiction treatment and recovery services to help individuals work through the most devastating challenges associated with opioid use disorder (OUD).
“GIA Miami is on the front lines utilizing a full scope of innovative therapeutic advancements in primary prevention, evidence-based treatment, and recovery support that address every part of our patients’ mental and physical health,” said Dr. Antonello Bonci, GIA president, chief scientific officer and partner.
“We’ve got a lot of experience in this field — and a lot of work ahead of us.”
Opioid withdrawal symptoms
One of the first and most serious challenges in treating a patient with OUD is to manage their withdrawal from the drug whether the patient is using medically prescribed opioid medications or is suffering OUD because of abuse.
“Either way, the initial phase in overcoming addiction to opioids is an extremely difficult one,” Dr. Bonci said.
Symptoms of withdrawal include vomiting, muscle spasms, feeling of coldness and sweating, heart pounding, and muscle aches. This acute physical sickness is usually accompanied by anxiety, agitation, sleep problems and, of course, drug craving.
“Even more problematic, the physical symptoms of severe opioid withdrawal are often the biggest barrier for patients seeking help,” he added.
Start with a “Bridge Device”
One of the latest approaches in mitigating OUD’s physiological symptoms is the application of a wearable neurobiological/electrical device for reducing the acute symptoms. The Bridge Neurostimulation System, or Bridge Device, is a small FDA-approved electrical nerve stimulator about the size of a half-dollar, which is worn behind the patient’s ear. Applied by a qualified healthcare professional in a short non-surgical procedure, it can provide several days of continuous relief from opioid withdrawal.
The Bridge Device delivers gentle electrical impulses around the ear to stimulate branches of certain cranial nerves, whereby blocking the transmission of pain signals sent from the spine and brain. Used for up to 14 days only, the Bridge Device is intended as a primary intervention to acutely control the physical side effects of withdrawal before the patient transitions to next-step therapies, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which effectively controls, reduces, and eliminates the cravings — as well as the underlying causes of addiction.
According to Dr. Bonci, “When coupled together, the Bridge Device and TMS serve as an impactful ‘one-two punch’ for patients entering treatment for opioid addiction. In fact, the device allows TMS to do its job sooner and more safely.”
Next step is TMS
TMS is a novel treatment for a range of mental health conditions such as substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. It serves to increase abstinence, reduce cravings, and help improve symptoms of substance abuse like memory lapses and decreased cognitive performance.
TMS also is a non-invasive procedure, noted Dr. Bonci, but unlike the Bridge Device, it works by passing gentle magnetic pulses across the entire surface of the head at multiple sites, as needed.
“The pulses pass through the scalp and stimulate certain areas of brain cells, whereby having a significant impact on mood and behavior,” he added.
Typical courses offer daily TMS sessions for around four to six weeks.
Decades of experience
“GIA Miami has decades of experience in addiction treatment. With the right medication, treatment, and evidence-based psychotherapies, GIA Miami is committed to making our clients’ first steps into sobriety as safe and easy as possible,” Dr. Bonci said.
The center’s client-centered programs are designed to give patients seeking recovery the most comprehensive treatment possible, as its clinical team works with each individual patient to develop a plan to suit their specific needs.
GIA Miami is located 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 200, Miami, FL 33132. Visit https://gia.miami/ for information or contact a representative via email at info@giamiami or by calling 561-462-4099.
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