The treatment usually involves treating acupuncture points on the outside of the ear. Short, thin, sterile acupuncture needles are inserted at three to five points. Patients sit or lie comfortably for about forty-five minutes. The acupuncture treatments often have a profoundly calming effect on the mind and body, creating feelings of peace and well-being. Three of the five acupuncture points strengthen the liver, kidneys and lungs, which are the major organs of elimination. They have often grown weak in addicts because they have been subjected to the daily burden of eliminating an excess of toxins from the body.

People addicted to hard drugs are advised to receive daily acupuncture treatment until they are clean. They then receive acupuncture treatments a couple of times a week for a while to help them to remain so. Alcoholics also require daily acupuncture treatments during the initial period of treatment. To insure long-term abstinence, both groups are encouraged to seek counseling and participate in a support group. Interestingly, alcoholics receiving acupuncture during the withdrawal period rarely experience seizures.

Smokers are in a different category because nicotine is a much milder drug. It does not produce the dramatic effects of hard drugs, though it is probably just as addicting in a more insidious way. Smokers do not generally need daily acupuncture treatments and can usually kick the habit in a shorter period of time. After one or two acupuncture treatments, the craving for nicotine is usually sharply reduced. After four or five acupuncture treatments spread over a two-week period, seven out of ten patients will have managed to quit. Others will have drastically cut down on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The same five acupuncture points on the ear are used. Smokers need not come in daily, so after each treatment, small pellets or press tacks are taped over these points, and the patient is sent home with instructions to press on them frequently. This pressure creates a mini-stimulus which helps to keep the endorphin level high.

Acupuncture is very effective in controlling addictions, and the drug problem in this country is a serious one. Let us all hope that more acupuncture detoxification centers will be established in the future.

Safe Herbal Medicine Used by Acupuncturists to Help Addictions

Ear acupuncture points, Ear Heart, Ear Liver, Ear Shenmen