How To Find Acupuncture For Drug Addiction In Woodland Hills Ca
Harmony Place, located in Woodland Hills, California, is a Los Angeles drug rehab center for individuals with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The holistic program includes acu-detox, individualized treatment, yoga, acupuncture, individual counseling, group therapy, and more.
Are you or your loved ones battling with addiction? You can take comfort in finding holistic addiction treatments in Southern California. Visit Harmony Place rehab facility to get Acupuncture treatments and begin your recovery journey.
How Can Acupuncture Help With Addiction
Addiction creates a body-wide imbalance that affects the physical and mental health of anyone who suffers from it. In combination with proven treatment methods, acupuncture may help some patients restore some of this balance by managing a few of its symptoms. The origin of these benefits may lie in the way that acupuncture promotes dopamine production. In a study on acupuncture and opiate addiction, it was found that Manual acupuncture and EA are capable of triggering a chain of events EA of low frequency accelerated the release of -endorphin and enkephalin in the CNS whereas EA of high frequency accelerated the release of dynorphin. The release of these chemicals could help manage the physical and emotional pain of opiate addiction and withdrawal. For example, dopamine will naturally decrease the pain of withdrawal and create a more pleasurable state of mind. Understanding this impact is crucial to gauging how effective acupuncture is in treating various forms of addiction. ut.
Type Of Intervention And Needling Method
Four studies used auricular acupuncture, 4 studies used body acupuncture with manual stimulation, 1 study used body acupuncture with electrical stimulation, and 1 study used HANS on the treatment group.
The reported courses of treatment in 6 studies were between 1 to 2 weeks. The courses of the remaining studies were 3 days, 3 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months.
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Which Addictions Can Be Treated With Acupuncture
Acupuncture is often recommended within addiction treatment alongside more traditional methods such as counselling and detoxification and can be an effective complementary therapy.
While relatively unstudied compared to many other addiction treatments, acupuncture is thought to help with the following addictions:
It is important to note that acupuncture is not a cure, and should be viewed as a complementary treatment used alongside individual and group therapy. It is unlikely that the practice of acupuncture alone will be effective at treating a substance or behavioural addiction.
More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this treatment on other forms of substance abuse as well as behavioural addictions such as video games, food and gambling.
Ways Acupuncture Can Help Overcome Alcoholism
There are two ways that acupuncture helps in the fight against alcoholism. First, it helps to process alcohol more efficiently by strengthening your liver and the way it filters out toxins. Second, acupuncture reduces the effect that alcohol has on your brain, ultimately reducing cravings and the desire to drink more. Lets deep dive into the many ways acupuncture can support alcohol recovery.
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Possible Mechanisms For The Effectiveness Of Acupuncture On Opiate Addiction
The mesolimbic dopamine system originates in the ventral tegmental area and projects to regions that include the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, which are believed to play a pivotal role in the development of opiate addiction . Opiate abuse-induced changes in the levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with feelings of well-being and pleasure, providing positive reinforcement of continued opiate abuse . Conversely, withdrawal from chronic opiate administration reduces dopamine outflow in the nucleus accumbens . Opioid withdrawal causes dysphoria and significant distress, a state that addicts seek to avoid and one that can be a major motive for continuing opiate use .
Many studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that acupuncture causes multiple biological responses . Manual acupuncture and EA are capable of triggering a chain of events that can be understood through controlled experiments. The best-known mechanism is via endogenous opiates and their receptors. Different kinds of endogenous opiates, such as-endorphin, enkephalin, endomorphin, and dynorphin, reportedly act as frequency-dependent factors in EA. EA of low frequency accelerated the release of -endorphin and enkephalin in the CNS whereas EA of high frequency accelerated the release of dynorphin .
Should People In Recovery Try Acupuncture
Recovery from alcohol use disorder is challenging for many reasons. Often, people use alcohol to medicate severe stress, trauma, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. It can feel scary and overwhelming to give up the relief alcohol provides. It can also be difficult to overcome barriers like alcohol cravings and painful withdrawal symptoms.
While more research is needed, existing studies on acupuncture for addiction show it may help with anxiety, depression, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to stick with recovery.
Acupuncture may not be effective for everyone, but it appears relatively safe to try it out. Most people dont experience side effects from acupuncture. When they do, side effects are generally mild, including soreness, fatigue, and lightheadedness.
In other words, acupuncture for alcoholism is a potentially useful tool with few drawbacks. If you feel it might be helpful for you, theres little harm in giving it a go.
If you decide to try acupuncture, choose a licensed acupuncture practitioner, and take precautions such as disclosing other treatments, medications, and health issues. Additionally, remember that acupuncture seems most effective when combined with other treatments. Youll likely get the best results if you look for other forms of support as well.
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How Does Acupuncture For Addiction Work
Acupuncture is a holistic modality that addresses emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental health. Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health and World Health Organization for treating numerous conditions. An ancient Chinese medicine used for thousands of years, acupuncture is based on the meridian system. According to traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are pathways in the body where life energy or qi flows. There are 12 meridians. Most are named for the organ in the body that they are associated with .
Acupuncture is the practice of using very fine, sterilized needles the thickness of a hair at pressure points to stimulate parts of the nervous system. The needles are inserted into specific places to unblock a blockage, move blood flow, and promote overall balance in the body. Acupuncture is sometimes used in holistic mental health treatment and addiction treatment programs.
Common conditions acupuncture therapy has been used to treat include:
- Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Depression and anxiety symptoms
Acudetox: Acupuncture For Addiction
Acupuncture is increasingly used for addiction. In fact, one specific type of acupuncture, called auricular acupuncture, or acudetox, involves inserting needles in the outer part of the ear to help quiet symptoms of withdrawal.
The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association endorses acudetox as part of a comprehensive treatment program for addiction. According to Kulas, tapping into these five main points on the ear helps smokers quit by:
- Reducing cravings: Acupuncture slows down the body’s stress response, which can help curb your cravings for nicotine, especially in the earliest stages of withdrawal when you’re also battling fatigue and irritability. “Instead of smoking, your body learns to rest, relax and breathe deeply,” says Kulas.
- Releasing feel-good hormones: Studies show acupuncture triggers the brain to pump out feel-good chemicals called endorphins that can help stabilize your mood and mitigate irritability.
- Enhancing overall health and well-being: When you start eliminating unhealthy habits, you feel physically better. And when you feel physically better, you may feel empowered to pick up other healthy habits.
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Is Acupuncture A Cure For Addiction
First of all, there is no cure for addiction. Someone with addiction problems will always be an addict however they can be an addict in recovery with the right sort of treatment. One such method of treatment is acupuncture. Research has shown that acupuncture can raise the level of endorphins in the nervous system. Endorphins are natural painkillers that the body produces and produce a similar effect to certain substances, creating a sense of euphoria. Raising endorphins within the nervous system has been shown to alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking and anxiety.
Auricular acupuncture involves inserting short, thin, sterile needles into certain points on the ear. Whilst this may sound painful to those who have not had it before, if done correctly acupuncture is meant to be fairly painless. Acupuncture is believed to create a sense of calm and well-being within the person, and is especially beneficial to the organs that suffer most with addiction the kidneys, liver and lungs.
Whilst acupuncture has been shown to be a helpful source of support in treating addiction, it is important to remember that acupuncture does not deal with any psychological issues which may be contributing to the addiction. Therefore, acupuncture is usually utilised by rehabilitation centres alongside other more traditional forms of therapy such as the 12 step programme or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
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Ways To Combat Ptsd Naturally
PTSD is a physiological disorder that can result from being exposed to a traumatic event. The disorder results in several different symptoms including anxiety, irritability, insomnia and flashbacks. The effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in someones life can be far reaching. Feelings of hopelessness, shame and despair, problems at work or with relationships, serious health
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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.
How Does Acupuncture To Help Quit Smoking Work
Acupuncturists target certain areas of the body for certain conditions. When it comes to helping smokers quit, pressure points in the ears are especially effective in suppressing cravings. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association even has an entire protocol around this set of ear suppression points to combat addiction.
In between acupuncture treatments, you can also use ear seeds at home which work as a form of acupressure. This involves placing tiny balls on your ear with adhesive tape in targeted areas. This technique allows you to self-treat by applying pressure to points on the ear to help temper the urge to smoke.
The cranial nerves, accessed through the ears, stimulate the nervous system to suppress the urge for cigarettes, explains Starkey. Were trying not only to suppress cravings, but also to engage the relaxation response. Were really manipulating the body using needles and targeted pressure to help support people as they work through withdrawal symptoms.
After acupuncture, you may have fewer cravings, decreased irritability, improved mood, improved bowel movements and improved sleep.
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Mood Food: What To Eat To Curb Depression
Mood Food: Using food as medicine to help depression Many have heard the question posed what came first, the chicken or the egg? But how does that concept apply to depression? Its well-known that when were depressed, our motivation and interest in maintaining a healthy and balanced diet subsides in the same way our energy
Can Acupuncture Be Beneficial In Treating Drug Addiction
Overcoming drug addiction is an incredibly difficult journey that can require a variety of different approaches and methods in order to be successful. However, an increasing number of studies are showing that acupuncture could potentially be an effective tool in treating drug addiction and aiding the detoxification process. In addition to mental health treatment, such as counseling and group therapy, acupuncture can help patients find relief from their cravings, and be more successful in sustaining a life of sobriety after substance abuse and addiction.
Acupuncture is increasingly becoming a popular method for treating a number of ailments including many different forms of addiction. Treatments subdue patient cravings for drugs while also creating feelings of calm and relief from withdrawal symptoms. It is not entirely understood how acupuncture is effective in treating drug addiction. Research results show evidence that acupuncture raises the level of endorphins, the bodys natural painkillers, in the nervous system, and that cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated by raising endorphin levels. However, Chinese medicine explains the efficacy of acupuncture in a different way, describing acupuncture as a way of balancing yin and yang energies. By receiving acupuncture treatments, a person struggling with substance abuse nourishes the yin energy and brings balance back to their natural energies.
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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.
Acupuncture May Reduce Addiction Cravings
Cravings are a common side effect of recovery. Many clients will experience intense cravings for drugs or alcohol long after detox has ended. Over time, these cravings will lessen, until they may disappear altogether. Until that time comes, acupuncture can help reduce cravings.
Part of sobriety is learning to recognize and avoid temptations. Even when you do all that, however, cravings still exist. They are merely a physiological response to a lingering addiction. If acupuncture can reduce some of these cravings, then it is worth trying out while in rehab.
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Acupuncture Treatment Increases Blood Circulation For Drug & Alcohol Detox Patients
Increasing circulation and blood flow are recommended for those undergoing substance abuse treatment. The better your circulation, the more oxygenated blood can get to the body and the brain to aid in recovery. Activities like hiking and yoga can both be useful means of increasing circulation, but so can acupuncture.
When needles get inserted into the surface of the skin, blood is drawn to the surface as well. All this movement means more circulation, which in turns means more oxygen is moving throughout the body. While virtually everyone can benefit from acupuncture, it is especially beneficial to those who are limited in their physical activity.
What Happens During The Treatment
Tiny needles, usually five of them, are inserted into specific points of the ear. There is an almost immediate sense of calm that settles over the patient, and they can sit in a chair with their feet up, resting in a meditative state for the duration of their treatment.
The lights are usually lowered to facilitate mental stillness. This can last between thirty and forty minutes. During that time, heart rate and blood pressure are reduced.
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How Does Acupuncture Help Addiction
Research on acupuncture is still in its infancy. Using acupuncture for addiction began in the early 1970s in China when a physician observed that acupuncture provided a reduction in withdrawal symptoms for people who abused opiates. Acupuncturists found that inserting and manipulating meridian points could possibly help reduce cortisol and balance dopamine levels to decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings that come from drug and alcohol detox.
NADA or AcuDetox is a specific acupuncture protocol developed to ease alcohol and drug detox symptoms. Developed 40 years ago by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, research suggests AcuDetox is an effective addiction treatment as a relapse prevention tool and a complement to traditional approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy. Its been shown to:
- Ease drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Increase chances of completing addiction treatment programs.
- Increase chances of staying sober after addiction treatment.
- Improve quality of life.
- Increase energy.
Holistic addiction recovery centers often use AcuDetox during drug and alcohol detox and throughout treatment. Acupuncture for addiction works on the central nervous system to reduce the severity of common alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms like:
- Digestive issues
Do Not Settle For A One
If there were a single addiction recovery method that worked all the time, there would be fewer worries about relapse and recovery rates. In the real world, a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery will inevitably leave some people behind. If you are struggling with the illness of addiction, do not settle for addiction treatment that is the same for everyone in a facility. While many of the components of recovery treatment will be similar, your best chance for long-term recovery comes from a program that is individualized to your needs, and it may or may not include alternative therapies like acupuncture.
We encourage you to learn more about admissions. There is no obligation, and finding out more will put you one step closer to your unique path to successful recovery from addiction.
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