Can Acupuncture Help Alcohol Addiction

Implications For Research And Practice

Non-pharmacological treatments are an important therapeutic option for people with alcohol-related problems, and there is some evidence that acupuncture is valued by service users . Recommendations for future studies to improve the quality and statistical power of the next review on this topic include:

• Larger sample sizes Further RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed. An increased sample size increases power statistically, enhancing a meta-analysis. Large sample sizes also provide the opportunity to explore potential moderators and mediators of response.
• Relevant statistical information reported Summary statistics on outcomes should be reported to a high standard so that these data can be included, thereby enhancing the robustness of the meta-analyses. An assessment for publication bias could also be conducted using a funnel plot.
• Female participants More studies should recruit female as well as male participants, so that results can be better generalised to the female population of problem drinkers.
• Longer-term follow ups for at least 1 year are recommended, along with parallel cost-effectiveness analyses.
• Increase methodological quality Future studies should follow STRICTA recommendations , which are guidelines specifically aimed at producing high quality reporting of acupuncture interventions, and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement , which are guidelines on study design and reporting to reduce potential bias and increase methodological quality.

How This Therapy Is Used In Addiction Recovery Assistance

The NADA protocol is designed specifically for those in drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Its focus is to manage withdrawal symptoms, ease physical pains, help balance emotions, and reduce stress and anxiety. The process is simple: inserting five needles into specific places on each ear. This can be done privately or in a group setting and usually takes about 30 minutes.

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What Can Nada Acupuncture Help Treat

The NADA protocol has been shown to decrease cravings for alcohol, drugs or even cigarettes. Sobo says it makes withdrawal symptoms less intense as well. This form of acupuncture can also be used to help manage gambling problems and food addiction.

NADA acupuncture has been instrumental in helping people recover from trauma or natural disasters. When used after 9/11, it helped people relax and sleep better. The same could be said when it was utilized after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Theres a group called Acupuncturist Without Borders which goes to places after natural disasters occur. These acupuncturists administer the NADA protocol to those affected to help decrease the stress of these situations, says Sobo.

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Relaxation Helps Alcoholic Rehabilitation

It is the release of these pain killers and endorphins that potentially helps alcoholics. With this boost of natural calming agents in the blood stream, an addict will find it easier to resist the urge to relapse. Withdrawal systems weaken and cravings are not as severe. Some specialists even believe that acupuncture has the potential to eliminate toxins built up from substance abuse.

Best of all, this happens without synthetic treatments or drugs. An acupuncturist is able to help an alcoholic tap into their own natural pharmacy. Along these lines, acupuncture is an ideal complement to rehabilitation. Some rehab centers staff acupuncturists, while others can make referrals for interested patients.

Where Is Acupuncture For Addiction Used

Acupuncture for addiction recovery is used at many holistic treatment centers. A holistic treatment center is a facility that offers a drug and alcohol addiction program that treats the whole person, which means focusing on their physical, emotional, and mental well-being in addiction recovery.7

In addition to holistic treatment centers, acupuncture services are also available at a variety of other addiction facilities, both inpatient and outpatient. Each treatment center establishes its own services, which may include acupuncture as a treatment component in addition to more traditional approaches that could include group counseling, family therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.8

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Acupuncture As An Alternative Therapy For Pain Management May Prove To Be A Powerful Component Of Addiction Recovery Programs

The path to recovery from addiction is often long, and the route it takes varies for different people. While addiction recovery requires sustained hard work, it also requires sustained self-care. How people choose to care for themselves as part of recovery varies because of factors like upbringing, culture, and a persons individual personality.

Addiction recovery is a process that encompasses the entire individual, body, soul, and mind, and all three of those components must be looked after for the highest probability of long-term success. Some people with substance abuse issues turn to care methods that are traditional to other cultures, such as acupuncture.

Acupuncture For Activity Of Hypothalamic

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a major component of the neuroendocrine system, in charge of the response to various stressors. In reaction to stress, CRF neurons residing in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus secret CRF, which stimulate the release of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and ultimately adrenal CORT . It is reported that acupuncture at ST36 significantly inhibited the increased plasma levels of CORT and ACTH in the ethanol-withdrawal rats . Also, EW-elevated concentrations of NE and MHPG, phosphorylation rate of TH, and expression of CRF protein in the PVN were all prevented by acupuncture at ST36 . Further, given that NE is an important secretagogue of CRF in the PVN, post-acupuncture injection of NE into PVN remarkably reverses the inhibitory effects of acupuncture on the over-secretion of plasma CORT in EW rats . Altogether, it is suggested that acupuncture at ST36 can block the EW-induced hyperactivity of the HAP axis, which may be mediated by inhibiting the hyperactivity of hypothalamic Norepinephrine system.

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Acupuncture For Alcohol Abuse Recovery

While acupuncture is not considered a treatment for alcohol use disorder, its an excellent alternative and complementary therapy for treatment. While more studies need to be completed to fully understand the effects of acupuncture on alcohol abuse recovery, many rehab facilities choose it as a complementary treatment offer. Acupuncture can help treat the many psychological and physical effects of substance abuse and help patients find a healthier way to maintain long-lasting recovery without resorting to drugs or other medications.

Nonetheless, if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, seek professional help. An addiction specialist can help you find the best treatment program to match your needs and help you find the right road towards addiction recovery and sobriety.

Helps Memory Impairment And Cognitive Abilities

One of the many side effects of alcohol use disorder is impaired memory. Acupuncture can decrease damage to the brain and successfully reduce the damage alcohol has on a persons cognitive abilities. While acupuncture wont reverse permanent brain damage, it can help ease some symptoms and promote recovery.

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Can Acupuncture Help With Alcoholism

Acupuncture has been used to treat chronic and acute health conditions for thousands of years, but has only recently become popular in the United States. Evidence shows, however, that it can be helpful in treating a number of chronic conditionsincluding alcohol addiction.

But how effective is acupuncture for alcoholism, really? What aspects of addiction does it help with? And if youre in recovery, should you try acupuncture? Below, well look at the research on acupuncture and alcohol use disorder, and whether it could be a good part of your recovery arsenal.

Acupuncture Predates Alcoholic Rehabilitation

Acupuncture is a Chinese practice with unclear origins, but it clearly dates back more than 2,000 years. Some sources say that soldiers wounded by arrows were able to overcome chronic diseases. Others imply that acupuncture was in use long before the days of bows and arrows.

The first Westerners to encounter acupuncture were missionaries from Portugal. They arrived in Asia in the 16th century and noted cases of acupuncture in Java and Japan. With the arrival of Western medicine in Asia, acupuncture went out of fashion for a few hundred years before resurging in the 20th century. By 1973, the United States Internal Revenue Service allowed tax payers to write off acupuncture as a healthcare expense.

IRS recognition signaled a turning point for acupuncture as a modern medical treatment. Today, the ancient Chinese art is being explored in a range of clinical settings. From a rehabilitation standpoint, it is believed that a regimen of acupuncture treatment can help weaken an alcoholics urge to drink.

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What Is Acupuncture For Alcohol Detox

In the past century, acupunctureâs science has been researched and investigated in its relation to traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, the acupuncture technique has been used for medicinal purposes to treat diseases and enhance health. Acupuncture is applied to different body locations, but the most common acupuncture points used in the treatment are called âJing Qiâ. Jing Qi is divine energy and is the primary energy of our body. Acupuncture targets these energy centres to stimulate the meridians or energy channels. Acupunctureâs principle is to cultivate Qi, which in Chinese medicine refers to the human bodyâs health and facilitates Qiâs flow within the meridians.

Alternative Treatments For Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol is everywhere at social gatherings, from baby showers to book clubs to work events. As the universal social lubricant and self-medication for stress, its easy to dismiss alcohols addictive potential or even joke about it. Yet for millions, alcohol consumption becomes a destructive compulsion that they cant control or stop. It damages not only the physical and emotional well-being of the users, but the lives and relationships of those around them. The social cost and public health burden of alcohol use disorder is enormous. In the search for a wider array of effective treatment options, acupuncture has emerged as a powerful adjunctive therapy for AUD.

The study of acupuncture for treatment of AUD is ongoing, but a growing body of research suggests it can help sufferers to both quit and stay quit. Acupuncture helps not only to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, but also to recover from the damaging health consequences related to AUD. Its worth exploring the holistic benefits of acupuncture and how seeking treatment offers support for the body, mind, and spirit.

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How Stylostixis Affects Neurotransmitters

While the mechanism behind the effectiveness of stylostixis may not yet be fully understood, research has shown that the technique has significant effects on the brain, especially the neurotransmitters involved in the pain modulatory pathway.

So, how does acupuncture work? Does it help improve the functions of neurotransmitters?

Here Are Some Neurotransmitters Affected by Stylostixis Intervention:

Acupuncture Eases Alcohol Cravings

Details

11/04/2014

Acupuncture reduces alcohol cravings in alcoholics. Researchers note that acupuncture is both safe and effective for reducing cravings in alcohol dependent patients. They add that acupuncture is an inexpensive modality of care for the treatment of alcoholism and produces significant results.

This study breaks from other research on this topic. Prior research focused on National Acupuncture Detoxification Association acupuncture point prescriptions for addiction. This typically involved use of auricular acupuncture points including Kidney, Sympathetic, Shenmen, Liver and Lung. However, this study used only one acupuncture point that is located on the lower leg. The researchers note of this acupuncture point, Traditionally, it has been used as an acupoint for detoxification.

Whats the Point?The acupuncture point investigated in the research is Zhubin that is translated as guest house. It is located on the medial aspect of the lower leg and is 5 cun superior to KI3. It is approximately 1 cun posterior to the medial border of the tibia at the lower end of the gastrocnemius muscle. It is placed on a line drawn between KI3 and KI10.

Reference:Lee, Jin-Seong, Sung-Gon Kim, Taek-Geun Jung, Woo Young Jung, and Seong-Yeon Kim. “Effect of Zhubin acupuncture in reducing alcohol craving in patients with alcohol dependence: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.” Chinese journal of integrative medicine : 1-5.

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Begin Your Wellness Journey Today

If you have been struggling with alcohol addiction, or if you simply want to reduce your drinking while supporting your overall health, Inner Works Acupuncture can help. Schedule an appointment at our Portland clinic by calling 227-2127 today.

References

• Mate, Gabor. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. 2010, North Atlantic Books.
• Whitaker, Holly. Quit Like a Woman. 2019. The Dial Press.

How Does Acupuncture Help With Addiction

Once opiate is removed from the persons system, the level of dopamine in the brain decreases. This leads to a state of distress, which is why the user has a strong desire to seek the drug.

According to a study, acupuncture may help reduce the feelings of withdrawal by stimulating the production of naturally-occurring opiates in the body. As these help bring about the feelings of pleasure of euphoria and pleasure, the addicts tendency to seek drugs can be curbed.

Add to that, acupuncture can also reduce cravings by activating several opioid receptors in the brain.

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Addiction Treatment Programs That Use Needle Therapy

Acupuncture and addiction treatment may go hand in hand with other forms of therapy, as well. However, it is essential to note that stylostixis intervention alone isnât enough as a treatment regimen for addiction treatment. Other techniques such as EMDR therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, one-on-one counseling, group and family sessions, and other evidence-based methods are required for a more effective treatment. Some treatment programs integrate acupunctural therapy into their schedules to ensure a full recovery.

Some of These Therapies Include:

Acupuncture For Treating Alcoholism

Can acupuncture help alcoholism? The use of acupuncture for treating alcoholism was thought by the Chinese practitioners to help rebalance energy in the body, particularly the liver qi stagnation with fire, It is believed that the body is out of balance, specifically the liver. By using acupuncture, it has been shown that alcoholics or addicts helps reduce cravings and has a calming effect.

Acupuncture for alcoholism involves what is referred to as 5 element acupuncture, meaning the piercing of five locations in and around the ear, or auricular acupuncture. The process takes about 30 minutes and effects include:

• Reduced cravings
• Reduced anxiety
• A sense of peacefulness

A meta-analysis of clinical studies of acupuncture as an adjunct treatment measure for alcoholism demonstrated overall that acupuncture was potentially effective in reducing alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms

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Ear Acupuncture Factors For The Nada Protocol

Whereas conventional acupuncture classes would possibly contain the location of needles in numerous factors on the physique, the NADA protocol is an auricular or ear remedy. Needles are positioned in 5 particular factors and sufferers relaxation for about 30-45 minutes with them in.

The factors are:

• Kidney This level promotes therapeutic within the organs and will help ease fears.
• Liver The liver ear level helps with blood purification and cleansing. Its additionally believed to scale back anger and enhance confidence.
• Lung The lung ear level will help with the discharge of feelings and increase lung capability.
• Shen Males Also called the Divine Level or Heavenly/Spirit Gate, the Shen Males level is believed to have a relaxing impact on the thoughts and physique. It may well additionally promote cleansing, cut back ache and assist energize different acupuncture factors.
• Sympathetic This level helps handle the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Its good for ache reduction as properly as a result of it may well dilate the blood vessels.

NADA is often provided in group settings which makes it extra inexpensive. However theres one other added worth on this neighborhood acupuncture method. Folks experiencing it would know that theyre not going by way of issues alone.

Acupuncture For Treating Depression

Using acupuncture to treat depression as a complimentary measure, along with antidepressant drug therapy, has also shown great promise in relieving the debilitating symptoms associated with major depression. It is thought that this effect can be due to the way acupuncture induces the release of the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Acupuncture has been studied as a stand alone treatment for depression. The study results that examined acupuncture as complimentary to either antidepressants or psychotherapy, however, demonstrated more strident effects on depression symptoms that using acupuncture alone.

To ease depression symptoms, acupuncture acupoints include:

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Acupuncture Treats Chemical Addiction And Behavioral Compulsions That Feed A Persons Addiction To Abuse Harmful Substances Like Smoking Drinking Pharmaceuticals And Drug Abuse

Acupuncture can be used to aid in treatment of addiction and to help patients to reduce prescribed medications which are difficult to withdraw from. Acupuncture treatment reduces withdrawal symptoms, aids in relaxation in cases of anxiety, improves sleep, and reduces cravings for drugs. It has been used for withdrawal from drugs of abuse such as heroin and methamphetamine cigarettes and alcohol and prescribed medications such as pain medications: oxycodone, percocet, etc, benzodiazapenes: valium, xanax, ativan, antidepressants: effexor, paxil, etc.

While acupuncture is a valuable part of addiction treatment, it is not a stand-alone protocol for drug treatment. It is very important that patients working to reduce drug use utilize a complete array of modalities. For addiction, counselling and medical supervision are usually appropriate. For detoxification from prescription drugs the prescribing physicians cooperation is essential. Cigarette addiction can often be adequately addressed by acupuncture but other modalities such as medical treatment or nicotine patches or gum may be used as necessary.

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What Is An Acupuncture For Addiction And Substance Abuse Session Like

AcuDetox extracts on auricular acupuncture protocols that are targeted to trauma, addictions, and mental health disorders. Overall, the actual acupuncture for addiction and substance abuse experience and session is similar to a regular acupuncture session. It will begin with an acupuncturist inserting extremely small and sterile needles into an individuals skin.

After that part of the process is completed, the person is then instructed to sit quietly for about 20-30 minutes. The acupuncture for addiction and substance abuse targets five areas on the persons ear that are believed to be connected with substance abuse. Generally, this type of acupuncture for addiction is performed commonly in a group session that lasts 30-45 minutes.

There have been various participants who have reported feeling more energized after AcuDetox, but also relaxed and calm. Acupuncture for mental health disorders or co-occurring disorders can sometimes co-occur with alcohol and drug addiction. Individuals with depression, anxiety, and various other conditions might abuse alcohol and drugs in an attempt to cope.

Effective substance abuse treatment must address alcohol and drug abuse as well as underlying mental conditions such as mental health disorders. As stated, acupuncture can act as a supplement to traditional mental health disorder treatment. There has been some research showcasing acupuncture to be a promising depression treatment when combined with therapy and antidepressants.

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