A Breakthrough Started By Accident.

Auricular acupuncture for the treatment of addictions and chemical dependency, started by accident in 1972, by a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong by the name of Dr. Hsiang Lai Wen. Dr. Wen was preparing a patient for surgery using electroacupuncture as surgical analgesia.

It so happened the patient was suffering from withdrawal symptoms from opium. After the electroacupuncture he informed Dr. Wen that his withdrawal symptoms had subsided. When Dr. Wen tested the same procedure on other patients that were also suffering from withdrawal symptoms, he noticed their discomforts dissipated as well.

When the news of this discovery made it the U.S. and to Dr. Michael O. Smith of Lincoln Hospital, in the South Bronx in New York City, Dr. Smith hired Chinese doctors to perform experiments with different protocols in the treatment of heroin addiction. Dr. Smith was involved in Methadone treatment, and was actively looking for alternatives. He started by using electroacupuncture, but soon switched over to manual Acupuncture, citing "more consistent clinical outcomes".

Dr. Smith continued to use and refine the techniques, and he expanded the program to treat alcoholic patients and crack cocaine user in addition to his heroin patients. In 1985, Dr. Smith started the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, known today as NADA. 

Today NADA conducts education and training related to the use of the specific auricular acupuncture NADA protocol within comprehensive addiction treatment programs to relieve suffering during detoxification, prevent relapse and support recovery.  

This specialized type of acupuncture treatment protocol developed by NADA and referred to as Acudetox, enhances relaxation and can reduce withdrawal symptoms, lower stress levels, and decrease cigarette or alcohol craving.

It is said that acupuncture helps turn back on the production system of your body's own endorphins and dopamine that the drugs and/or alcohol turned off during the time of use. The acupuncture allows the body to become more balanced, and therefore allowing many patients to sleep better and feel less anxious as they move through their revitalization process.

Acupuncture alone is not a cure for addictive behavior. Its dramatic benefit is evident when it is combined with counseling and patients attend meetings or programs that specifically focus on the addictive substance or behavior.

Acupuncture then becomes an integral part of the whole picture of a person's healing process.

In addition to the powerful relaxing effects of ear acupuncture, the most important aspects in treating addictions that are often understated are:

• It helps prepare patients for the future, and not merely just coping with the past.
   
• As patients develop a more balanced state of mind over time, the meditative relaxation lasts for longer periods of time, allowing the patient to learn that their private and internal process of healing can be a source of strength and renewal.
   
• Since many patients already know that food, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. are excellent "treatments" for stress, auricular acupuncture helps them substitute a healthy, self-nurturing behavior in place of harmful habits and substances.
   

 Auricular Acupuncture Helps Stop the Cycles of Violence

Acupuncture contributes to patients relaxation and encourages a meditative calm. This relaxed state enables patients to develop the necessary skills to change the cycles of violence. It gives people an opportunity to stop, breathe and think before responding.

When one is more relaxed they are less likely to react to confrontation or other issues with violence. This further enables patients to learn other ways of responding in interpersonal relationships using increased understanding and patience.

The treatments also help balancing emotions and help resolve or lessen the emotional blockages of grief, fear, and depression that often lead to anger and rage when not addressed.

Traditional Chinese Medicine strives for balance in all areas of life including emotions and is very effective in breaking up these types of blockages.

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