Acupuncture for Addiction Recovery Support
HOW ACUPUNCTURE BECAME A TOOL FOR TREATING ADDICTION
In the early 1970's, H.L. Wen, MD., a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong, was preparing to use electro-acupuncture as surgical analgesia and the patient, who happened to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opium at the time, reported his symptoms had disappeared. Dr. Wen went on to pursue the plausible link between acupuncture and relief of withdrawal symptoms, and concluded that acupuncture could provide effective relief in (heroin) withdrawal syndrome. His method was later adopted in many clinical settings and was adapted by the US National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) to support addiction, withdrawal symptoms, trauma and emotional/mental health.
ACUPUNCTURE IS BOTH A SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
HOW ACUPUNCTURE HELPS WITH ADDICTION
Acupuncture, as a complementary and alternative therapeutic intervention, has been widely practiced in eastern countries for thousands of years. Studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that acupuncture causes neurobiological responses in the brain by stimulating specific sites (acupoints) on the skin and muscle with insertion of fine, sterile and disposable, acupuncture needles.
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for reducing drug addiction in pre-clinical and clinical trials. In particular, acupuncture has been accepted to be an effective detoxification method for drug addiction as a standard procedure. The current model defines drug addiction as a chronically relapsing disease characterized by uncontrolled or compulsive use of addictive drugs that results in serious personal, economic, and social problems.
One of the main factors that causes relapse is the exposure to stress. Stress can be characterized as the nonspecific responses of the body to any demands for a change. Acupuncture has also been proven to be an effective treatment for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression via modulation of the brains stress and endocrine systems in clinical studies.
“Ask “not Why the Addiction,
but why the pain” -
Dr. Gabor Maté
AURICULAR (EAR) ACUPUNCTURE
A simple and effective solution to help ease the body and mind into new ways of being.
Auricular acupuncture supports relief from stress and aides the healing of emotional trauma.
Addressing the accumulation of everyday stressors and long held traumas promotes the healing of addictive choice patterns that diminish health & quality of life.
Promotes increased inner peace & calm, decreased agitation & strengthens inner resolve.
Cravings and withdrawal symptoms are decreased with regular treatment.
Helps to regulate sleep.
Eases physical pain.
The NADA protocol involves insertion of five small disposable needles in specific points on the ear. During treatment recipients are encouraged to sit quietly for 30-45mins. NADA is most effective when used in conjunction with additional therapeutic support such as counseling and self-help groups (ie: AA & NA).
The five points that are selected for this particular protocol are chosen because of the regulating effects they have on the body-mind. Each are intended to support creating greater harmony and balance among the organ systems.
Lung Point: improves lung function and alleviates feelings of grief.
Liver Point: aides removal of toxins from the liver and blood, supports a decrease in aggression and irritability.
Kidney Point: repairs vital organs and eases fears.
Shen Men(aka Neurogate &/or Spirit Gate): decreases anxiety & promotes tranquilization/calm. Enlivens the psychospiritual vitality.
The Autonomic (or Sympathetic) Point: promotes relaxation and soothing of the nervous system by supporting balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems- the fight/flight and rest/relax systems.
Additional auricular points that are supportive in the healing of trauma and supporting greater harmony and balance while tending to the changes that the body-mind undergoes when letting go of particular choice patterns such as substance use include:
Point zero: supports mind-body homeostasis
Master Cerebral: influential in psychoemotional issues that are accompanied by chronic pain and pain itself. Reflex zones for the limbic system and prefrontal cortex are located in the Master Cerebral area.
Hippocampus: Influences memory encoding and retention of emotional experiences. This is important for concentration and memory.
Amygdala: modulates expression of irritability, aggression, anger & fear.
Hypothalamus: stimulates parasympathetic functions of calming, focusing, centering, anxiety control and decision-making. This point triggers the HPA axis (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis) which is important for maintaining vigilance, attention and arousal.
Thalamus point: Affects signals between the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and hypothalamus
Endocrine point: Promotes hormone regulation
INTEGRATIVE CARE
Holistic solutions are designed to treat the whole person by improving physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Acupuncture is strengthened when acting as a treatment for addiction recovery support when used in combination with other recovery strategies, such as psychotherapy, 12-step programs, group counseling, or other alternative and complementary treatments, such as additional forms of bodywork, art or music therapy, meditation, nutritional counseling, exercise programs, or yoga.
Your practitioner can help you develop a plan to incorporate acupuncture as part of your treatment regimen.