Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Lessened With New Technology From Harford County Health

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A new FDA-cleared outpatient detox treatment called Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) will be offered as part of a treatment plan available through the Harford County Health Department.

Adults 18 years and older who struggle with opioid dependence are eligible for this treatment along with supportive medication to help those whose goal is to live an opioid-free life. The tAN device is a pain-free, wearable technology designed to deliver drug-free personalized opioid withdrawal relief through a non-invasive form of electrostimulation. Transcutaneous auricular neurostimulations are delivered through a multichannel earpiece electrode worn on and around the left ear and targeting two cranial nerves, the vagus and trigeminal nerves.

The device can be utilized until the patient is symptom-free of withdrawal and all participants enrolled in the detox are required to attend treatment at Harford County Health Department. Treatment, in addition to the device, includes individual therapy, an intensive outpatient program for three days per week, peer recovery support and medication management.

“Anytime we can break down a barrier of addiction, the path to recovery is more attainable,” said Dr. Julie Stancliff, medical director of the Harford County Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau.

For more information about this treatment, call the Harford County Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau at 410-877-2341 or visit www.harfordcountyhealth.com.