Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment: 7 Ways it Can Help
What Is Acupuncture?
As recovery centers constantly look for new therapies to incorporate into their addiction treatment programs, many have added holistic approaches that have been around for hundreds of years to give their clients the best chance of a successful recovery from drugs and alcohol. Acupuncture therapy is just one of these many complementary and alternative medicines that have shown to help addiction recovery when added to traditional substance abuse treatment.
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and it involves inserting very thin, sterile needles through the skin at strategic acupuncture points throughout the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine explains its mechanisms as balancing the flow of energy, Qi (pronounced chee), which is believed to flow through meridians (pathways) in the body. Western medical practitioners view acupuncture as a way to stimulate nerves that signal the brain to release hormones and biochemicals that reduce stress, inflammation, and pain, such as serotonin. Acupuncture treatments are used to relieve a wide range of symptoms and conditions such as various aches and pains, headaches and migraines, digestive issues, stress, mental health disorders, and insomnia.
How Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment Works
Acupuncture is used as adjunctive therapy in treating addiction. It is a safe, all-natural medicine, which, when combined with traditional addiction treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, individual therapy, support groups, and group counseling, can benefit those with substance abuse. Many recovery centers have added acupuncture treatments to their drug and alcohol addiction programs.
7 Ways Acupuncture Therapy Can Help With Addiction
1. Ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol and drug withdrawals can be very intense, and it is recommended to enter a medical detox program. Acupuncture can help relieve some withdrawal symptoms like depression, anxiety, cravings, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and irritability.
2. Help detox the body
Through a protocol called NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) or AcuDetox, acupuncture points in the ear can help clear substances still present in the body while reducing cravings and managing stress during medical detox.
3. Speed up the brain’s healing
Acupuncture protocols help produce serotonin and endorphins that the brain is having a hard time regulating on its own without the use of alcohol and drugs.
4. Reduce stress and trauma
Because it helps release feel-good hormones and chemicals, it can help relieve stress that may be present during recovery and help heal past traumas that may have been the root of the addiction.
5. Help treat co-occurring disorders
Acupuncture can help treat mental health disorders like anxiety and depression when used with other therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.
6. Relieve pain
Pain killers may not be an option for many in recovery, but acupuncture sessions are a natural way to help relieve aches and pains without risking sobriety.
7. Reduce the likelihood of relapse
For those who wish to continue with acupuncture sessions after their addiction recovery program, it can help manage triggers and stress that may lead to a relapse.
Acupuncture and Other Holistic Therapies at Novo Detox
At Novo Detox in Los Angeles, California, acupuncture therapy is just one of the many ways we incorporate complementary and alternative medicine into our residential treatment program for addiction recovery. Your comfort and safety are our number one priority at our treatment center. We offer 24/7 medical care and customized medication-assisted treatment based on your bioenergetic metabolic profile.
We genuinely believe in the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture therapy. Along with acupuncture, our other holistic therapies include herbology, reflexology, QiGong, Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, and detox massages. Nutrition is also critical in recovery, and our chef will create organic, healthy meals during your stay with us, including healthy smoothies. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, our 24/7 intake team can quickly get them set up into detox and even provide same-day admission into addiction treatment. Please give us a call at (844) 834-1777 today to get started with your recovery.
