Professional outpatient and inpatient rehab facilities apply the latest evidence-based approaches in order to treat addiction effectively. These evidence-based approaches typically include dual diagnosis, one-on-one counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medical detox. among other options.
Rehabilitation programs recognize that every individual has unique needs. Such programs may include alternative therapies that may complement conventional treatments in order to provide tailored plans for individuals seeking substance abuse treatment.
Acupuncture is one of the holistic treatment strategies that is increasingly being used to manage addictions. It has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Scientists have been studying its efficacy for various scientific applications, including the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse. It is important to understand acupuncture and the scientific research about it to determine if it is right for you.
Brief History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced in China for thousands of years. Some scholars believe its origins predate recorded history when people used sharp bones and stones to puncture and drain abscesses more than 6,000 years ago.
One of the earliest recorded texts that describes the practice is the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine), a work that dates to 2600 BC. The text is said to have been written by the Emperor Huangdi. It was based on Taoist concepts such as ying and yang.
A text that dates back to the Ming Dynasty provides the basis for modern-day practices of acupuncture. The text, The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, describes how to restore the life force (qi) by stimulating certain points of the body to promote health and an overall sense of wellness.
Modern acupuncture is a modification of The Great Compendium philosophy that seeks to restore the balance of various systems, such as the immune, endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Currently, in the United States, acupuncture therapists often must undergo training and obtain licenses, depending on their state’s regulations. It is important for people seeking treatment to understand how acupuncture works and how it is used in addiction treatment.
Is Acupuncture Effective for Substance Abuse Treatment?
As a holistic therapy, acupuncture seeks to restore the balance in the body caused by substance abuse and alcoholism. Scientists have been studying neurochemical and behavioral evidence to determine how acupuncture may help people recover from addiction.
Even though the scientific study of this Chinese practice is still in its early stages, there are promising findings that may confirm its efficacy in treating addiction.
Alcohol use disorder
One review of studies compared control groups treated with placebo needles and other groups treated with acupuncture needles at specific points (acupoints). Researchers found that the subjects with acupuncture needles and acupoints displayed positive results for psychological markers.
People treated with acupuncture showed significant improvement. They experienced fewer alcohol withdrawal symptoms, alcohol cravings, and drinking episodes.
Smoking cessation
Forty-six men and women who smoked at least twenty cigarettes per day were split into two groups in a 2001 study. They answered questionnaires and gave blood samples. Some of the participants in the study received acupuncture while others did not.
Researchers found that the people who received acupuncture reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked per day. They also reported that cigarettes tasted worse than before the treatment. In the control group, no positive changes were observed over a period of eight months.
Cocaine dependence
Another randomized trial divided eighty-two cocaine-dependent people into three groups. One received acupuncture, another control group was exposed to needles, and another control group used relaxation techniques.
All of the study’s participants submitted urine toxicology tests. The test results indicated that there was significantly less cocaine in the urine of people who received acupuncture treatments.
Heroin cravings
Scholars have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the effect of acupuncture in suppressing regions of the brain related to cravings. Heroin affects specific brain regions related to learning, memory, and rewards.
Researchers determined that acupuncture was effective in limiting the effect of heroin on these brain regions. They theorized that acupuncture could be effective in reducing cravings for heroin.
Opioid detox and withdrawal symptoms
Rapid opioid detoxification is one option for treating opioid addiction. But this process may cause severe discomfort for clients and may thus lead to relapses.
One study examined whether acupuncture could suppress withdrawal symptoms during rapid opioid detoxification. Scholars recommended acupuncture as a strategy for reducing the effects of the symptoms.
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Using Acupuncture to Treat Substance Abuse
Treatment for substance abuse begins with an assessment of a person’s health history. The initial assessment includes an evaluation of the psychological aspects of his or her addiction.
Medical practitioners evaluate people’s physiological states and various aspects of their physical health, even if they may not seem directly related to the substance abuse problem.
This is important since practitioners needs to learn about any underlying problems that may be contributing to addiction. Underlying problems may include distress caused by mental stress or physical pain caused by conditions such as arthritis.
After the initial assessment, acupuncture practitioners may be ready to place needles on certain points of people’s bodies, depending on the conclusions they made from the evaluation. The procedure may include massages or the application of ointments to prepare for the insertion of the needles.
You may feel stinging sensations as the needles are inserted, but the needles are inserted very precisely to minimize pain and ensure the efficacy of the treatment. In some cases, the needle may be twirled or an electric current may be applied to stimulate these points.
The depth of the needle insertion will depend on the treatment. It should be shallow enough to ensure that no organs or tissues under the skin are damaged. Practitioners leave the needles in place for five to thirty minutes.
A person’s condition determines the number of acupuncture sessions he or she undergoes. For acute cases of drug or alcohol addiction, people may be required to undergo two to four sessions. (Acute means that the condition is relatively new.) For severe cases of long-term addiction, people may require up to twelve sessions.
Benefits of Substance Abuse Treatment
While studies have shown that acupuncture may be beneficial for treating a wide range of substance abuse problems, researchers have recommended that more studies need to be conducted. Currently, many professionals suggest that acupuncture may be used to complement conventional protocols for substance abuse and alcoholism in outpatient and inpatient rehab programs.
Acupuncture may be beneficial for treating addiction in the following ways:
- Relieving pain: Physical pain is one reason why people turn to drugs, especially opioids/opiates, to self-medicate and reduce distress. Many Americans struggle with chronic pain. Acupuncture may be used alongside conventional medication to treat chronic pain and possibly eliminate the need for prescription medications that may cause dependency and addiction.
- Reducing mental distress: Mental distress is another factor that may increase the risks of dependency and addiction. The effects from substances such as cocaine, heroin, and alcohol may offer temporary psychological relief for people with mental conditions such as anxiety and depression. There is evidence that indicates that, if performed correctly, acupuncture may trigger neurological systems to modulate the release of dopamine and thus minimize psychological distress.
- Managing cravings: People addicted to drugs often find it hard to quit after using certain types of drugs for an extended period of time. Acupuncture therapy seeks to balance the body’s physiological systems in people with substance abuse problems. Acupuncture may suppress certain regions of the brain associated with cravings for substances such as heroin and alcohol.
- Reducing sleep problems: Adequate sleep is necessary to avoid physical and mental health issues. Insomnia may increase the risk of stress, depression, and cardiovascular illnesses. Sleep problems may complicate the recovery process. Acupuncture has been found to be effective in addressing a wide range of sleep problems.
- Providing a safe treatment option: When performed by qualified practitioners, acupuncture is considered safe, with few to no side effects. It may complement conventional treatment protocols used in outpatient and inpatient rehab programs. It may reduce symptoms of withdrawal and allow medical practitioners to use protocols such as rapid opioid detoxification that may otherwise be too uncomfortable. It is also helpful in situations where people cannot use medications due to their medical histories.
Conclusion
Acupuncture may be beneficial for addiction treatment. There is evidence that it may reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
In addition, acupuncture may reduce psychological distress that encourages dependence on substances. Scientists and researchers recommend using acupuncture as a holistic therapy alongside other evidence-based protocols in conventional rehabilitation programs.