Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP, FASAM
Treating Opioid Withdrawal—With the Ear???
Treating Opioid Withdrawal—With the Ear???
Treating Opioid Withdrawal—With the Ear???
Monday 7th July 2025
Explore how ear stimulation via ST Genesis can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms, featuring insights from Shelley Halligan of Speranza Therapeutics.
43 minutes
informative
hopeful
innovative
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compassionate
About this podcast
Author:
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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Get the buttons here!Ear Stimulation: A Breakthrough in Opioid Withdrawal
Episode Overview
- ST Genesis uses ear stimulation to treat opioid withdrawal.
- Targets the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce symptoms.
- Clinical applications can shorten Suboxone treatment waiting times.
- Potential to prevent precipitated withdrawal symptoms.
- Aimed at improving patient outcomes in addiction treatment.
Treating addiction saves lives.
In this episode of Addiction Medicine Made Easy, Dr. Casey Grover introduces listeners to an innovative approach to treating opioid withdrawal through ear stimulation, featuring insights from Shelley Halligan, President of Speranza Therapeutics. The episode delves into how the FDA-approved ST Genesis device uses percutaneous nerve field stimulation to target cranial nerves in the ear, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This process is crucial as it helps calm the body, countering the fight-or-flight response associated with withdrawal. Dr.
Grover, an experienced addiction medicine doctor, explains the autonomic nervous system's role in addiction and recovery. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic system induces rest and digestion. By stimulating the ear, the device facilitates the switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic system, aiding in withdrawal symptom relief.
Shelley Halligan discusses the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) used to measure withdrawal severity, noting that the ST Genesis device can significantly reduce these symptoms when used correctly. The technology also shows promise in preventing precipitated withdrawals, which occur when medications like Naloxone induce sudden withdrawal. The conversation highlights the importance of empowering patients to guide their treatment, improving long-term outcomes. Dr.
Grover emphasizes collaboration and training among healthcare providers to expand access to this treatment, offering resources through Speranza Therapeutics. As the episode concludes, Dr. Grover acknowledges the support of various organizations in promoting addiction education and expresses gratitude towards healthcare providers dedicated to treating addiction. This innovative approach not only shows potential in treating opioid withdrawal but also inspires hope for better addiction treatment practices.