Isaiah House offers FDA-approved opioid treatment devices

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (LEX 18) — A new device to treat opioid addiction in just one week has already been approved by the FDA, and Kentucky is the first state in the country to offer the device.

Over the past 53 years, NET Recovery has gone through many iterations to perfect the Neuro Electrode Transmitter device to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in people who use opioids. After a two-year, randomized, double-blind study, the device was approved by the Federal Medicines Agency in 2023.

Kentucky is the first state in the nation to offer 30 devices at Isaiah House, a men’s and women’s recovery facility in Mercer County.

The device is about the size of a telephone and is connected to wires that are connected to electrodes placed behind each ear. Signals are then sent to the brain, allowing the brain to resume producing its own dopamine and serotonin without the need for drugs.

“Many addicts are afraid of withdrawal symptoms. One of the reasons they don’t seek help is because they are afraid or have experienced the illness that comes when you stop using a particular substance,” explains Mike Cox, chief operating officer of Isaiah House.

“It’s more easily managed when the person isn’t craving or withdrawing, so the NET device ultimately gives the patient a choice,” says Owen Fielding, an independent NET consultant. “Do I want to take drugs? Do I want to take medication for the first time in my life? Or maybe I want to stay drug-free?”

According to Fielding, the treatment relieves withdrawal symptoms within five days and eventually brings the user to zero tolerance. Each patient can control his or her treatment and its intensity. The devices are built to be a one-time treatment; once the patient completes treatment, the next patient can use the device.

“They can eat. They’ll usually sleep, you know, we talk about that from day one, even day three, when opioid withdrawal peaks,” Fielding describes. “People will be relaxed, they’ll eat, they’ll sleep, they’ll be engaged in the program.”

Isaiah House has helped several patients overcome addiction and they remain sober to this day.

“I have seen clients who would normally be very sick for several days start eating and doing other activities within 24 hours. It was amazing,” explains Cox. “We used that word sometimes. It’s just a miracle that some people saw a quick change.”

While this puts the user on the path to recovery, leaders from NET and Isaiah House emphasize that there is no cure. Everything related to addiction needs to be addressed, and continuing to use resources to stay on track is essential to maintaining sobriety.

“Don’t go back to using drugs because your tolerance to opioids is literally zero. So going back to even half a bite of heroin to see if it’s not a bad idea,” says Fielding.

To be eligible to receive one of the 30 devices, you must be 18 years of age or older and have been examined by the Isaiah House medical team.

NET leaders hope to one day expand the number of devices offered throughout Kentucky and allow them to be offered to more states.