The Morph Device: Drug-Free Support Through Opioid Withdrawal
The Morph Device is a small nerve stimulator worn behind the ear that was FDA cleared in 2018 as an aid in reducing the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It's drug-free, it's worn for up to 10 days, and at EllieMetanoia it's placed and overseen by a licensed physician, in coordination with Enlighten Health.
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. If you or someone you love is ready to stop using opioids but is terrified of withdrawal, this post is for you.
If you're in crisis right now, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. Both are free, confidential, and open 24/7.
Why is opioid withdrawal so hard?
When the body gets used to opioids, it changes how it makes and responds to its own natural pain-relieving chemicals. Stopping suddenly can bring on anxiety, sweating, chills, muscle and bone aches, nausea, diarrhea, restlessness, and insomnia.
For many people, fear of those symptoms is the biggest barrier to even trying. That fear has nothing to do with willpower. The body is reacting to a real chemical change. I wrote more about what happens in the brain in Beyond Detox: Understanding the Addicted Brain.
What is the Morph Device?
The Morph Device is a percutaneous nerve field stimulator, a small device that sits behind the ear and connects to tiny electrodes placed on specific points of the ear. It received FDA 510(k) clearance in May 2018 as an aid in reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms (Morph Device news).
It's a Class II medical device that requires a physician's prescription, so it isn't available directly to the public.
How does the Morph Device work?
The device sends gentle electrical pulses to cranial nerves in the ear. These pulses are designed to help the brain release its own natural chemicals, like endorphins, that ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal. It works continuously for up to 10 days, designed to cover the most intense days of withdrawal.
The manufacturer reports that withdrawal scores can drop by more than 60% within 20 minutes and by about 80% within an hour (Morph Device, how it works). Individual results vary.
Is there research on this kind of device?
Yes. In 2017, the FDA authorized a similar ear-based nerve stimulator, the NSS-2 Bridge, as the first device to help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. In the study behind that decision, all 73 patients had at least a 31% drop in withdrawal scores within 30 minutes, and 88% went on to the next stage of treatment after five days (FDA, 2017).
Who is the Morph Device for?
The Morph Device is for adults who want support through opioid withdrawal, whether that's from prescription pain pills, heroin, fentanyl, or 7-OH, the opioid now sold in gas stations and smoke shops. If 7-OH is new to you, read 7-OH: The Opioid Hiding in Plain Sight.
The device is cleared for opioid withdrawal only. It isn't intended for alcohol or other substances.
Who shouldn't use the Morph Device?
The device isn't right for everyone. It's not recommended for people who:
Have a cardiac pacemaker
Have hemophilia or another bleeding disorder
Take blood-thinning medications
Have psoriasis on or around the ear
The physician reviews your health history before the device is placed.
What does the process look like?
Free consultation with me. We talk through where you are, what you've tried, and whether the Morph Device may be a fit.
Physician evaluation. A licensed physician reviews your health and eligibility.
Placement. The device is placed behind your ear and starts working right away.
Up to 10 days of support. You wear it continuously through the hardest part of withdrawal.
What comes next. Withdrawal is only the first step. I'll encourage you to keep working with your medical and recovery team.
Is the Morph Device a complete addiction treatment?
No. It's designed to ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal, which can make it possible to get through detox. Lasting recovery usually takes more: medical care, counseling, support groups, and sometimes medications for opioid use disorder. Talk with your physician about all of your options.
At EllieMetanoia, I can also support the nervous system and the emotional side of recovery. The Theta Chamber has built-in programs designed for opiates, pain killers, and other addictions, and Emotion Code and Belief Coding work with the emotional patterns that often sit underneath.
Take the first step
If fear of withdrawal has been holding you or someone you love back, you don't have to face it alone. Book a free consultation or call me at 281-305-3246. We'll talk through your options, including pricing, privately and without judgment.
Keep reading: 7-OH: The Opioid Hiding in Plain Sight · Beyond Detox: Understanding the Addicted Brain
Stacy Ellie, RN-BSN, is the owner of EllieMetanoia Quantum Wellness in The Woodlands, TX, located inside Vibe Acupuncture & Holistic Healing. After years as a psychiatric and home health nurse, she became a Certified Emotion Code and Body Code Practitioner and an Accredited Master Facilitator of Belief Coding. She blends frequency technology and energy healing to help clients get to the root of what's keeping them stuck.
The Morph Device is FDA cleared as an aid in reducing opioid withdrawal symptoms and is placed under the care of a licensed physician. Other statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. EllieMetanoia's services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and are meant to complement, not replace, care from your healthcare providers. Individual results vary.
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