Acupuncture & addictions

Stop Smoking

Acupuncture can effectively help with withdrawal symptoms but I cannot help with the habitual aspect of smoking. You have to want to give up smoking and you have to manage the habitual aspect of smoking yourself. For example, if you find that you crave a cigarette when you go to the pub then consider not going to the pub for a period. If you crave a cigarette immediately after eating a meal then think of something else which will help distract you from this craving.

Treatment is based on a combination of ear acupuncture points that are used extensively in centres for drug addition. Nicotine is a drug and the principle of alleviating withdrawal symptoms is the same, whether it is heroine, cocaine, alcohol or nicotine. The combination of ear acupuncture points is called the 'NADA' protocol. These are chosen because they influence the sympathetic nervous system, calm the mind and help the body detoxify.

If particular problems arise during treatment then these will be addressed, for example, excessive hunger, mood swings/ irritability or difficulties sleeping. Thus, even though a particular protocol is used, treatment will always be individualised.

Drug Addiction

Acupuncture, especially auricular (ear) acupuncture, is often used to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction. The Gateway Clinic in London is a 'drop in' clinic for drug addicts taking hard drugs such as heroine and cocaine. Ear acupuncture is used as one of their main treatments for the withdrawal symptoms of these drugs.

The use of acupuncture for drug withdrawal was first noted in the 1950's by a surgeon who was using ear acupuncture for pain relief following surgery. He noticed that patients who had been taking opiate drugs suffered less from the withdrawal symptoms when he used ear points.

There is now a protocol called 'NADA' which was developed in New York for the primary use of treating drug withdrawal symptoms. For serious drug addiction, treatment maybe necessary 2-3 times daily to begin with. In the clinic in London, drug addicts go and have treatment whenever they feel the need.

Five tiny needles are placed in each ear and left for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate or think about changes that need to be made.

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