Erin McNulty had been missing for weeks when her mother, Linda, sat exhausted in their Vermont living room. The search for Erin was a familiar struggle; substance use had plagued the family since high school. Methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine—every drug took its toll on Erin's life, interspersed with brief periods of sobriety.

One day, while flipping through TV channels, Linda stumbled upon a 60 Minutes segment highlighting a revolutionary procedure using ultrasound to treat brain disorders. Intrigued, she learned that Ali Rezai, based in West Virginia, was pioneering this non-invasive method for addiction and Alzheimer’s patients.

Rezai's journey began with deep brain stimulation but shifted focus due to the opioid crisis. His work has evolved from 16-hour surgeries in basement labs to a streamlined process that requires just a few computers. Now, ultrasound can deliver targeted therapy in under half an hour without breaking the skin or drilling into the skull.

Historically, focused ultrasound required invasive procedures, but modern machines can target precise areas of the brain through the intact skull. This non-invasive approach promises a future where surgery may no longer mean cutting open the body. For Erin and thousands like her, this could be a game-changer in their quest for recovery.