Acupuncture & Auriculotherapy:
Valuable Natural Treatment
Modalities for Addiction
Valuable Natural Treatment
In the last few years acupuncture and now auricular therapy have been used increasingly to treat substance use disorders. Studies of these modalities have validated their use, and more studies are needed and in process. Perhaps most important to the future are the growing acceptance of this treatment and the willingness of both Drug Courts and managed care organizations to provide it via licensed practitioners for use with multiple addictions.
While the mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood, modern research has demonstrated that successful acupuncture treatment results in a numbed of changes in important body proteins that could, themselves, act to decrease physical symptoms. These include indications that acupuncture mobilizes the opioid peptides (i.e. enkephlins, endorphins, dynorphins) or increase levels of other peptides such as substance P and cholecystokinin (CCK) among many others. There are also indications that acupuncture may induce alterations in certain hormones including Cortical and ACTH to reduce stress.
Since scientific research has shown that addiction, withdrawal, and recovery are all related to brain chemicals such as the opioid peptides and to stress regulating hormones in the body, it is reasonable, then, that use of procedures that effect these systems be explored. Some may be reluctant to trust the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and auriculotherapy. However, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized electrical devices used in auriculotherapy and the acupuncture needle as a medical devices. Research support for the effectiveness of the procedures is abundant and will be discussed later.
While there are some who claim that there are not enough sound clinical studies to support efficacy of acupuncture, ear acupuncture or auriculotherapy, others would support its use. It is our contention that, in light of the positive studies, it would be unwise to dismiss its use as being worthless and that many more controlled studies are warranted.
