Acupuncture for Addiction

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We are happy to announce that we offer acupuncture as an elective treatment to control cravings in nicotine, drug and alcohol withdrawal. We suggest that you take 2 sessions a week at the beginning or as needed.

This is what our acupuncturist Laura Powels says about the role of acupuncture in addiction recovery:

    • Acupuncture helps people recover from cigarette smoking, drugs and alcohol problems by reducing withdrawal symptoms, relieving tension, and relaxation.
    • Acupuncture treatments in general, clear the mind, build energy, and give a sense of well being.
    • According to Chinese tradition, placing acupuncture needles in the ear affect specific organs.
    • Western science has confirmed that acupuncture treatments change levels of chemicals in the body and act on the nervous system.
    • Acupuncture itself is not a substitute for therapy but is used in addition to counseling and self-help programs.

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How It All Began

One day in the early 1970′s, H.L. Wen, MD., then the only neurosurgeon in all of South China and Hong Kong, was preparing to use electro-acupuncture as surgical analgesia and the patient, who happened to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opium at the time, reported his symptoms had disappeared. Wen canceled the surgery and scouted the hospital for other patients in withdrawal. He gave his pre-op procedure to them and their symptoms also ceased. Acupuncture for substance abuse was born.

Why Acupuncture for Detox?
* Reduces the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
* Relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
* Profoundly relieves withdrawal symptoms including cravings, body aches, headache, nausea, sweating, muscle cramping, etc.
The acupuncture detoxification program is an ideal partner with our natural detox program. It alleviates withdrawal symptoms so mental and physical stability are quickly achieved. This gives a new level of comfort allowing for more effective counseling. Participation in a holistic program is considered important to sobriety.

In addition, acupuncture…

* Can be used safely with any other health condition.
* Does not utilize other potentially addictive drugs for treatment
* Can be continued on an outpatient basis.
* Is successfully used as a drug detoxification method at over 100 different drug treatment clinics in the United States and is also successfully used for this purpose in at least 25 other countries.

Acupuncture Treatment

Five tiny needles are placed in each ear, and then the clients rest quietly for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate or think about changes to be made in your life. In detoxification treatment, points in the ear correspond to specific organs including the lungs, liver, kidneys and nervous system. One of the points is for relaxation. The treatment triggers the release of natural body chemicals, including endorphins, which help reduce cravings for drugs, ease withdrawal symptoms, and increase relaxation.

How Will I feel During the Treatment?

Once the needles have been placed, your ears may tingle or feel warm. Some people even fall asleep. These are normal responses. Some people say they feel very relaxed when they are having a treatment, other’s don’t feel much at all. Even if you don’t feel much you are getting benefit from treatment. Acupuncture is most effective after a series of treatments over a period of time.

The Detoxification Process

During detoxification, your body filters out the toxins that you have been storing up. Blood circulation begins to improve. Sometimes during the detoxification period you may feel achy, not sleep well, be cranky, or even have drug dreams. Please let the acupuncturist know if you have any of these symptoms so that additional acupuncture points can be added to your treatment.

Acupuncture at our retreat

Detox-acupuncture is done at Hawaii Naturopathic Retreat by appointment that is scheduled for each patient. In Hilo, at Aloha Wellness Center, we refer patients to a trusted acupuncturist within walking distance or our Hilo location.
Once you return home, ideally you should get daily acupuncture treatments for the first two weeks, then three treatments a week for several weeks, then two treatments per week for several additional weeks. Final treatments should be once a week. If relapse occurs or something stressful happens in your life, then additional treatments are recommended. I will be happy to help you find an acupuncturist in your area to continue your progress.