Unique Opioid Detox Treatment Introduced in Israel

At Rambam Health Care Campus in Israel, a groundbreaking treatment has recently been carried out to help a man in his 40s overcome a severe addiction to opioid painkillers. This patient had been consuming around 130 pills a day, and the detoxification process was completed in just 20 minutes.

This innovative procedure utilizes specialized technology from Insightec, a company based in Israel. The treatment is part of an international study happening in several medical centers in the United States, with Israel joining the ranks.

Dr. Lior Lev Tov, who oversees the Functional Neurosurgery Unit at Rambam, noted, “This is a new therapeutic platform allowing us to offer various noninvasive treatments for numerous health issues worldwide. It is a significant scientific advancement that has the potential to transform our treatment methods.”

The individual, referred to only as H., lives in northern Israel and had sustained a neck injury years ago that led him to start taking pain medication, which eventually spiraled into addiction.

As Dr. Amir Minerbi, the director of Rambam’s Institute for Pain Medicine, explained, “His pain had diminished over time, but he remained dependent on the medication. His consumption escalated to nearly 130 pills daily.”

“H. didn’t experience pain; he needed the substance in his system to feel composed and function correctly,” Minerbi added.

Opioids are medications that alter the brain’s reward system, triggering feelings of pleasure and reward, which can compel continued use beyond the initial pain relief.

During the treatment, specialists focused on the electrical activity of the nucleus accumbens—a brain region associated with pleasure and reward.

The technology employed in this procedure is akin to methods that are currently used for treating neurological disorders like essential tremor and tremors associated with Parkinson’s. However, in this case, the new noninvasive technique called neuromodulation works by adjusting the activity of nerve cells without damaging the brain tissue. Instead, it precisely influences nerve cell activity where needed.

This allows access to deep, delicate brain areas tied to cravings and impulse control without the risks associated with invasive surgery.

H. underwent this treatment about two weeks ago. “We noticed a decline in his cravings during the actual procedure,” said Lev Tov. A week afterwards, tests showed no presence of opioids or other substances. The patient reported a craving level of zero out of 10, along with an unexpected reduction in his desire to smoke cigarettes.

According to Lev Tov, H. went from smoking three packs daily to a few cigarettes, and he expressed no urge to drink alcohol. “In just about 20 minutes, we helped him detox from a dependence that had plagued him for years,” Lev Tov remarked, calling it a medical and therapeutic breakthrough.

“Since the treatment, he has remained clean. His cravings have completely vanished, and he told us he feels he regained his life. Tests confirm his body is fully clean, and both his physical and functional states are normal.”

This study is taking place across three centers in the United States as part of a larger trial that has reportedly yielded excellent outcomes in opioid withdrawal management. Some participants have struggled with heroin addiction, known for its challenging withdrawal process.

H. was the first patient to receive this treatment while actively withdrawing, a significant therapeutic challenge that greatly contributes to the research body.

Opioid addiction is often described as a global epidemic, particularly in the United States, where it has resulted in countless fatalities and massive economic losses. In Israel, after a previous spike in opioid use, steps are being taken to reverse the trend.

Minerbi emphasized that although opioid painkillers are critical for short-term pain relief, a concerning number of long-term users may develop addiction.

“With prolonged use, these medications often become less effective and may lead to negative side effects, including health risks and a decreased quality of life,” he added.

Minerbi expressed hope that this new development could assist many people dependent on opioids in a safer and less traumatic manner.

Currently, there are two primary strategies for treating addiction: slowly reducing doses until elimination or using substitute medications that interact with the same brain mechanisms.

Withdrawal includes both physical symptoms and the psychological drive to resume use, which can persist for considerable periods.

“We hope this innovation will assist countless individuals struggling with opioid dependency, providing a safer and less distressing option,” Minerbi stated.

“This method noninvasively reaches sensitive areas of the brain linked to reward, craving, and impulse control,” Lev Tov concluded, emphasizing its potential to address a variety of serious conditions like PTSD, OCD, and severe depression. Eventually, he hopes the technology could assist with cognitive issues such as attention deficit disorders, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Rambam Health Care Campus aims to continue making strides in this focused ultrasound technology for various applications.