Wristband Biosensors for Opioid Relapse

It is well known in the world of addiction medicine that relapse rates are extremely high among people with an opioid use disorder, people who are addicted to drugs like oxycodone and/or heroin. While relapse is a terrible occurrence for anyone in recovery, for those addicted to opioids relapse often results in an overdose, a potentially fatal incident. As the nation continues to grapple with an opioid epidemic, some novel experiments are being conducted that could save peoples' lives down the road.

New research suggests that wristband biosensors could be used to alert doctors and the addict's family members when a relapse occurs, Medical Daily reports. The study involved 30 emergency department patients in Massachusetts, some of whom used opioids daily while others had rarely or never used opioid painkillers. The findings were published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology.

All of the patients were given an injection opioid pain medication for acute pain, while wearing a wristband biosensor, according to the article. The researchers were able to tell when an opioid was used intravenously through the detection of less body movement and a rise in skin temperature. By tracking the physiological processes and responses to opioid injections, wristband biosensors could give physicians and/or addiction counselors an invaluable tool for determining if a recovering opioid addict relapses.

“Opioid analgesic use is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., yet effective treatment programs have a limited ability to detect relapse,” the researchers write. “Wearable biosensors have the potential to improve detection of relapse by providing objective, real time physiologic data on opioid use that can be used by treating clinicians to augment behavioral interventions."

Opioid use disorder is a serious problem for millions of Americans. However, addiction recovery is possible, and we can help you begin the road of recovery. Please contact Whiteside Manor to begin the necessary journey.