Habits, Addictions and Acupuncture
Did you know that Acupuncture is an established complementary treatment in addiction recovery programs? Used in settings where addictions to food, drugs, alcohol and other substances like opioids have disrupted people’s lives, acupuncture is one of the components of care in many inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs across the country. We continue this care at Triangle Acupuncture for people who have left these programs and seek to continue the acupuncture for ongoing recovery at home.
Auricular or ear acupuncture is one of the main ways acupuncture is administered for addictions, it is called the NADA protocol. This involves just a shallow insertion of tiny needles at 4 or 5 points on the outer ear. Ear acupuncture is deeply relaxing and helps with addiction in 6 major ways:
- Help reduce cravings
- Ease withdrawal symptoms
- Ease physical pain
- Help the person regulate emotions
- Decrease anxiety and stress
- Help regulate sleep
Acupuncture is thought to regulate the nervous system and release of dopamine that is tied to addiction and subsequent withdrawal. This results in a more peaceful feeling, limiting the impulses or desire to choose the food, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc.
January is the time when many of us decide to turn over a new leaf. If you are suffering with an addiction, please consult your doctor and decide on the appropriate path of care. Acupuncture is a great adjunct for your ongoing treatment. If you feel like you have a “bad habit” that you want to work on, then you may find it helpful to come to a talk January 9th at the Chapel Hill office from 7-8pm. Patrick and Danny will be discussing “Habits: How to Break a Habit & How to Start a New Habit.” They will be going through the science of Habit breaking and discuss how the NADA protocol works as well as going through some real-life examples of habits from folks in the audience. Come join and bring a friend! It should be a fun and informative evening and help you learn how acupuncture can treat addictive behaviors. There will be a Part 2 for the class to bring everyone back together and discuss how the process went February 15th from 7-8pm in the Chapel Hill office.
We are always here to help and provide ongoing support with acupuncture in addiction recovery. All of our practitioners are trained in the NADA protocol. We also have Friday afternoons set aside in Chapel Hill for "Acupuncture Happy Hour" which is a walk-in community clinic. Treatments are sliding scale $35-45 and everyone is treated who shows up. It is a great way to get a peaceful boost before the weekend or augment your regular acupuncture schedule so you can afford to come more than once/week.