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Net Recovery pitches FDA‑cleared neuroelectric device to Lexington commission, seeks pilot funding for jails
Summary
Net Recovery presented an FDA‑cleared neuroelectric therapy (NET) device to the Lexington Opioid Abatement Commission, describing trial results that reduced withdrawal and cravings and asking local governments to consider paying for pilot treatment in detention centers with opioid‑settlement funds.
Jeff Lott, communications director for Net Recovery, presented the company’s neuroelectric therapy (NET) device to the Lexington Opioid Abatement Commission and described clinical results and ongoing county partnerships.
Lott said the device — a patient‑controlled stimulator worn with electrodes behind the ears — received full FDA clearance in 2024 after a randomized, double‑blind trial completed in 2023 involving about 108 participants. He told the commission the trial showed rapid reductions in withdrawal measures and cravings for many participants and that patients who used the device more than 24 hours were more likely to remain in residential levels of care during the study.
Lott described specific outcome measures from the company’s trial and follow‑up work: he said a very high share of trial participants experienced a “meaningful decrease” in withdrawal scores within an hour of use, and that many participants reported lower cravings after device use. He and other presenters emphasized the device can be used both as an alternative for people seeking abstinence without medication and as an adjunct or transition aid for people entering medication‑assisted treatment. Lott also cited a peer‑reviewed paper published in Frontiers in Psychiatry summarizing trial results.
Commissioners and attendees focused on cost and delivery. Lott said Net Recovery charges $5,500 per patient for the full treatment package; he said the company provides the device as a service and currently does not sell the hardware or receive Medicaid reimbursement. Commissioners asked about profit margins and manufacturing cost; Lott said the company has not sold devices and currently operates as a turnkey service provider, with Net Recovery staff administering treatment in partner facilities.
Public testimony from Scott County officials followed the presentation. Rick Costetler, representing the Scott County fiscal court, told the commission Scott County used opioid‑settlement funds to sponsor NET treatments in the county detention center and residential sites and reported roughly 20–30 people had been treated in the jail, with staff observing reduced withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The county has committed funding for dozens of treatments and is expanding the effort, Costetler said.
Net Recovery representatives said they currently partner with counties across Kentucky and treat residents in both detention centers and residential facilities; they described a turnkey model in which company staff administer treatment, collect data and adjust device software as new drug adulterants appear. Net Recovery staff argued centralizing treatment and data collection enables rapid program adjustments — a reason they cited for not selling units into wide distribution yet.
No commission votes or funding commitments were made at the meeting. Commissioners discussed whether to recommend a city pilot for the device, and several members suggested the appropriate path would be for the Metro Council or mayor to set aside pilot funds for a defined number of people. Lott and supporters urged the commission and council to consider a small pilot or jail program as a test case.
