Cover Story:
Mobile Electro Therapy
& Drug Withdrawal.

Therapy Closeup:
Wrist to Wrist Stimulation.

Special Guest Contributor:
Pat Searles, Snr. Counsellor
Drug Users Parents' Aid Foundation (DUPA).

User Profiles:
Two ex-drug users tell their stories.

The Fact Files:
Medical research from around the world in support of Electrical Stimulation in drug withdrawal programs.

Mobile Electro Therapy and Drug Withdrawal

At first glance, it might be hard to imagine a place for electrical stimulation in helping those involved in drug or alcohol misuse. But as Pat Searles, Order of Australia Medal recipient and counsellor says - seeing is believing.

Pat is the Senior Counsellor at the DUPA Foundation (Drug Users Parents' Aid), and has been dealing with the fallout of alcohol and drug abuse for over twenty years. DUPA is a non-profit organization whose aim is to offer counselling, advice and direction to both drug users and their parents.

Over the past twelve months, the use of BioStim™ has become an integral part of DUPA's service, and is used primarily to relax all those who attend counselling, as well as ease the pains of withdrawal. In fact, the use of this technique has been of great assistance during both individual and group sessions, as difficult and emotional topics can be raised without the person becoming fearful or agitated.

In Pat's own words, "One of my most difficult people arrived for counselling. I showed him the BioStim™, explaining that it would help him to relax and also help kick-start his production of endorphins, his own natural happy drugs.

This young person was always complaining about not being able to sleep. I attached him to the BioStim™, placed the pads onto the insides of his wrists, turned the intensity to two and a half and the pulse rate to medium.

He felt the 'tingle' as he watched his fingers moving in time with the pulse rate.

Within seven minutes, he was asleep. I left him sleeping for half an hour.

The result was that he felt relaxed and as though he had experienced a full night's sleep. He was eager to use the BioStim™ again. Word spread, and it reached the stage where people were in line to use the BioStim™."

Pat describes the initiative of using electrical stimulation as an adjunct to DUPA's services as a highly successful one. Attendees become relaxed and receptive, and show little or no aggression. Almost invariably, the 'business' side of counselling is reached much faster - instead of taking three or more sessions before the person would begin talking openly and honestly about their problems.

Pat allows the portable BioStim™ units to be taken home between counselling sessions, to reinforce the beneficial effects. And although there are those who have limited results with its use, the success stories are certainly encouraging. Pat reports a range of positive effects: better appetite, better sleep, less anger, less depression, better ability to think clearly, less self-hostility, better perception and decision making and a reduced urge to use marijuana, amphetamines or heroin.

Very importantly, BioStim™ reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms - especially aches and pains. Long term use of opiate-like substances (such as heroin) can seriously affect the body's ability to produce its own natural opioids (endorphins). This is thought to be the major cause of painful withdrawal symptoms, as endorphins are painkillers. It is also the rationale behind the use of methadone, which fills the chemical gap, but doesn't offer the user a 'high'. Unlike methadone, however, BioStim™ is not addictive - and does not create any problems of its own.

Pat Searles can be contacted at:

DUPA Foundation Inc.
Suite 7 / 532 Hampton St
Hampton VIC 3188
Australia
Phone: (+61 3) 9598 5366
Email: dupa@magnet.com.au