Opiate Craving Reduction Study Using Post-detox Patients on Suboxone and Use of TEAS as Adjunctive Treatment

Opiate Craving Reduction Study Using Post-detox Patients on Suboxone and Use of TEAS as Adjunctive Treatment

A Crossover Study Using Transdermal Electroacupuncture as Adjunctive Treatment to Reduce Opiate Cravings in Post-Detox Outpatients Receiving Buprenorphine-Naloxone

Pilot study of 12 outpatients in early recovery from illicit drug use,post-detox and on buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance will be offered 12 TEAS adjunct treatments over 6 weeks(X2/week) to ascertain if they experience any improvement in mood,sleep,overall quality of life and decrease drug cravings ultimately while facing everyday life stressors.

this crossover study will involve participants who will be randomized into two treatment groups,A&B. TEAS treatments will be given for 30 minutes,X2/week,for 6 weeks(12total sessions). Group A will receive 2 weeks(4 sessions) of active treatment followed by 4 weeks of sham treatment(8 sessions). Group B will receive 2 weeks(4 sessions) of sham treatment,2 weeks (4 sessions)of real treatment,and finally 2 weeks (4 sessions) of sham treatment. parameters to be measured include vital signs and questionnaires weeks 1,3,5,6 to assess self-reported past 14-day substance use,alcohol and drug craving,withdrawal symptoms,sleep,mood,pain and overall quality of life. goals include better lives for post-detox opiate addicts as they incorporate this treatment into their lives,saving themselves and loved ones more horror,and their communities resources.

week 1-2 real treatment, week 3-6 sham treatment with Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator while receiving concurrent buprenorphine-naloxone as prescribed

week 1-2 real treatment, week 3-6 sham treatment with Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator treatment while receiving concurrent buprenorphine-naloxone as prescribed

Mood measured by self-report on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR-16) questionnaire.

Sleep patterns measure by self report through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire

Cravings for drugs and alcohol measure by self-report through the Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM), the Craving Scale (CS), the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), Substance Use Report, and a Brief Pain Inventory

Inclusion Criteria: 18-59 years old early recovery(0-3months of abstinence not currently detoxing maintained on buprenorphine-naloxone under the care of qualified MD proficient in the English language Exclusion Criteria: having acute,psychiatric symptoms which would pose safety concerns,or an adherence to treatment barrier(active suicidality/psychosis/mania) severe cognitive disorders*not competent to give informed consent active cardiac disease or EKG abnormalities or with cardiac pacemaker currently detoxing from alcohol or illicit drugs inability or non-intention to attend all treatment sessions*history of seizures*pregnancy or breast feeding.