Spinal cord stimulation as a treatment for addiction to nicotine and other chemical substances

A method for suppressing chemical substance craving comprising the steps of:

• (a) implanting one or more leads comprised of at least two electrodes into the epidural space of a human body overlying the spinal cord in the sacral to high cervical position;
• (b) connecting the lead to a lead extension connector;
• (c) connecting the lead extension connector to a power source capable of generating electrical power;
• and varying the amplitude of the electrical power from between about 0 to about 15 volts, varying the pulse width of the electrical power from about 0 to about 450 microseconds and varying the rate of the electrical power from about 0 to about 150 cps for a time period sufficient to suppress the chemical substance dependence of the patient.

A method for suppressing nicotine craving comprising the steps of:

• (a) implanting two leads comprised of between four to eight electrodes each into the epidural space of a human body overlying the spinal cord in the throracic region;
• (b) connecting the lead to a lead extension connector;
• (c) connecting the lead extension connector to an internal receiver capable or receiving power from an external source and transmitting said power as electrical energy to the implanted lead;
• and
• (d) varying the amplitude of the electrical power from between about 0 to about 4 volts, varying the pulse width of the electrical power from about 240 to about 290 microseconds and varying the rate of the electrical power from about 80 to about 120 cps for a time period sufficient to suppress the nicotine dependence of the patient.