Acupuncture for Addiction and Substance AbuseAddiction are social problems that have penetrated all levels of society. Whether you just can’t get going in the morning without coffee or you are suffering from a serious heroine habit, acupuncture can help you overcome your addictions.

Acupuncture alcohol and drug addiction treatment can curb cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms to help you naturally detox from substance abuse.

Auricular Ear Acupuncture treatments can help with various types of addiction:

• Alcohol

• Nicotine: Cigarettes, Chewing Tobacco, Cigars

• Cocaine and Crack

• Methadone (Crystal Meth)

• Marijuana

• Heroin (Morphine)

• Caffeine: Coffee, Tea

• Pain Medications: Hydrocodone, Vicoden, Oxycotin

 

How can acupuncture help recover addiction?

Acupuncture can assist in alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation. When combined with psychological counseling by addiction specialists, acupuncture can be a holistic method to help manage withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings.

Most acupuncture addiction recovery treatments utilize Auricular Ear Acupuncture. This microsystem of acupuncture has been show to be highly effective in assisting addiction programs.

One study conducted by Yale University on the use of acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction found that recipients of acupuncture were twice as likely to have cocaine-negative urine screens as control groups during treatment. In addition, the acupuncture group in the cocaine addiction study was able to refrain from returning to cocaine use for longer periods of time than the control group. Auricular Ear Acupuncture has also had long-term success in group setting addiction treatment programs in New York City’s Lincoln Hospital and prison programs in Dade County Florida.

 

The NADA Protocol

All of these acupuncture treatment for addiction programs are making use to the work of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Treatment Protocol. The NADA protocol has be shown to help with emotional, psychological, and physical difficulties of overcoming addiction.

The NADA protocol uses five specific ear acupuncture points on each ear for addiction treatment:

• Sympathetic point – Balances sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and has a strong analgesic effect.

• Shenmen point – Called “Spirit Gate”, has a calming and relaxing effect to help alleviate anxiety and nervousness that can accompany withdrawal.

• Kidney point – Tonifys the source energy and essence that is often damaged through chemical abuse. The point can also help resolve fear and increase the willpower needed to overcome addiction.

• Liver point – Promotes repair of the Liver from drug and alcohol abuse and aids in resolving anger and aggression.

• Lung point – Strengthens the immune system and accelerates detoxification. Emotionally, it is associated with grief and letting go.