FDA-Cleared Device Offers New Opioid Detox Option in Miami

A new recovery center opening in Miami is taking a distinctive approach to opioid detox. They’re using an FDA-cleared neurostimulation device to manage withdrawal symptoms without medications.

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It offers an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical protocols for people struggling with opioid use disorder.

What the Device Does During Opioid Detox

The device works by delivering gentle electrical stimulation to nerves through electrodes placed on the surface of the skin.

According to George Rizk, an executive board member with NET Recovery, the technology targets some of the most debilitating opioid withdrawal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach and back pain, and profuse sweating.

“What makes the device incredibly unique is that it operates completely pain-free,” Rizk said. “The electrodes are attached on top of the skin, so nothing pierces the skin.”

The device has received FDA clearance specifically for withdrawal mitigation in opioid addiction, an important regulatory distinction that separates it from unapproved wellness products marketed for detox purposes.

One Patient’s Experience

For Rebekah Mutch, the device represented a turning point after eight previous treatment attempts.

Mutch developed an opioid dependence after being prescribed buprenorphine (Suboxone) during an earlier rehab stay for alcohol. A path that ultimately led to homelessness, legal problems and years of relapse.

She used the device at a facility in Kentucky during her ninth attempt at treatment. “That wasn’t running through my head for the first time ever in this situation,” she said of cravings, a sharp contrast to her prior withdrawal experiences.

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Mutch wore the device continuously for seven days, with daily check-ins from a medical technician to monitor her symptoms.

That level of clinical oversight is consistent with best practices for opioid withdrawal management, regardless of which inpatient detox method is used.

Why Medical Detox Matters

Opioid withdrawal, while rarely fatal on its own, carries serious risks.

The risks include severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, dangerous cardiovascular stress and a dramatically elevated risk of relapse and fatal overdose if a person leaves treatment prematurely.

This is why medical supervision during the withdrawal phase is strongly recommended.

By contrast, alcohol detox and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening, and should never be attempted without medical oversight.

Withdrawal from these substances can trigger seizures, cardiac events and a dangerous syndrome called delirium tremens.

Anyone considering stopping alcohol or benzos should seek evaluation at a medical detox program immediately.

Understanding Neurostimulation in Addiction Treatment

The use of electrical neurostimulation to treat opioid withdrawal is not entirely new, but it remains an evolving area of research.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine found the approach promising, while noting that long-term outcome data are still limited.

Clinicians should factor this evidence gap into treatment planning conversations, particularly for patients with complex addiction histories.

The FDA clearance for this device is a meaningful signal that the technology met federal safety and effectiveness standards for its intended use, though clearance differs from full FDA approval, which requires more rigorous clinical trial data.

Finding Opioid Detox in Miami

The NET Recovery facility is set to open at 860 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami on March 17.

Rizk estimated the cost at approximately $8,000 for the full treatment course, significantly less than residential rehab, which he noted can run $15,000–$25,000 per month. The treatment is not currently covered by insurance.

Publicly funded medical detox programs and medication-assisted treatment options, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, remain the most widely accessible and evidence-based treatments available for opioid use disorder.

If you or someone you love needs help finding medically supervised opioid detox or drug detox programs in Miami or elsewhere, search detox.com’s list of detox centers. You can also call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) for immediate assistance.