Addiction and substance abuse are social problems that affect every level of society. Addiction & acupuncture can help you overcome addictions. Additionally, it can curb cravings and ease withdrawal, supporting natural detox from substance use. Professional guidance can tailor treatments to individual needs and support sustained recovery.
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
How Can Acupuncture Help Addiction Recovery? Addiction & acupuncture.
Acupuncture can assist 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 micro-system of acupuncture has been shown to be highly effective in assisting addiction programs.
One Yale University study found that acupuncture users were twice as likely to have cocaine-negative urine screens during treatment.
Moreover, the acupuncture group in the cocaine addiction study stayed cocaine-free longer than the control group.
Auricular Ear Acupuncture has also had long-term success in group addiction treatment at Lincoln Hospital and in Florida prisons.
When did NADA begin?
In 1985, after 10 years developing the NADA protocol for addiction treatment, staff and others at Lincoln Hospital acted.
Additionally, a national-level organization was needed to expand training and raise awareness of acupuncture as a recovery tool.
NADA was then established to enroll members and to codify a training curriculum. It also created reference materials and a flexible system for registering qualified trainers and delivering training.
Moreover, NADA has trained and certified more than 10,000 health professionals. This group includes counselors, social workers, nurses, doctors, psychologists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, outreach workers, judges, and officers.
The NADA Protocol
All of these acupuncture treatments for addiction programs use the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Treatment Protocol. Additionally, the NADA protocol has been shown to help with emotional, psychological, and physical difficulties in overcoming addiction.
Additionally, 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.
Additionally, what are Auricular Ear Acupuncture Addiction Treatments Like?
The NADA protocol is provided in a seated group setting.
Additionally, acupuncture addiction treatments last approximately 40 minutes.
There is no Oriental Medicine diagnosis provided during the acupuncture addiction treatment, as only the standard NADA protocol is followed.
The acupuncturists are trained to provide a supportive non-confrontational environment focused on harm reduction.
During your initial detox from alcohol and drug addition, daily acupuncture is important until you are clean. Ask your acupuncturist about ear seeds to stimulate auricular points at home between treatments to manage cravings and withdrawal. Once you have ceased using alcohol or drugs, you can decrease the frequency to once per week for several weeks. Additionally, for long-term recovery, Addiction & acupuncture can support ongoing well-being.
Additionally, get the Help You Need.
It is also important to receive counseling during your addiction therapy. Working with organizations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), during your acupuncture addiction treatments can increase the success of your substance abuse recovery.
If you are able to seek the help of a private acupuncturist or herbalist for your addiction treatments, you can also benefit from herbal remedies for addiction withdrawal symptoms. These Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas can enhance the effects of your acupuncture addiction treatments and improve your overall health.
Acupuncture for addiction and substance abuse offers a proven, side-effect free method of assisting you in the process of recovery. Acupuncture treatments are non-addictive and provide relief of anxiety, depression, cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms. Free yourself of addiction today!
Summary
Beyond the actual needling treatment, a key element of the protocol specifies qualities of behavior and attitude on the part of the clinician. We create a zone of peace within which patients can begin to experience their own inner strengths. The points utilized are ear acupuncture points to stimulate the major detoxification organs (lung, liver and kidney) and the emotions associated with them (grief, anger, and fear) using the Chinese Medicine ear acupuncture model. Feelings of calm and peacefulness are often reported after receiving the acudetox needling. In addition to reduced withdrawal symptoms and increased feelings of calm, some recipients find they can more easily focus on and work through the underlying problems that are major contributing factors to their addiction problems.
Acupuncture takes the edge off of the anxiety and the body has more room to make subtle adjustments of connectedness within the body and with the outside environment in a holistic process (i.e. lowering anxiety may change a sleep pattern, the immune system may be less strained, the overall health improves, and we have renewed energy for ourselves and perhaps the care of others.
