If you or a loved one is suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), it can often feel like there is no escape from the effects of addiction. However, with April being Alcohol Awareness Month, we thought we would take this opportunity to shine some light on an alternative addiction treatment therapy that may be able to provide you or your loved one with relief from their addictions and cravings.
Recent studies suggest that acupuncture can help treat alcohol addiction by reducing alcohol cravings, reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and improving alcohol abuse recovery rates. While this may be surprising to many people, as using acupuncture as a holistic health treatment is relatively new to the United States, the fact is that this form of ancient Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat various conditions. Acupuncture is even recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its potential as a treatment for AUD as well as other addictions and cravings.
If you or a loved one has been struggling with AUD, a drug addiction, or other craving in Jacksonville, Florida take a moment this alcohol awareness month to learn how acupuncture could help provide relief.
Why Should You Use Acupuncture For Cravings?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for treating addiction and cravings. While traditional methods like medication-assisted treatment and therapy can be effective in addiction treatment, acupuncture can be an invaluable complement to these treatments that has been shown to provide numerous benefits in the treatment of addiction and cravings including:
- Reducing Alcohol Cravings: Acupuncture can help reduce cravings for alcohol and other addictive substances as it has been proven to treat both physiological and psychological dependence effectively. Acupuncture can then help in the detox process as it has been demonstrated to effectively reduce cravings for not only alcohol but also cigarettes and even opioids. By reducing cravings, acupuncture is then practical for both acute detoxification as well as in aiding long-term recovery efforts.
- Increasing Mood and Energy Levels: Acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system. One of the biggest advantages of acupuncture then is that it can help increase energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost overall mood by stimulating the release of endorphins. Acupuncture can then help give people recovering from addiction the strength, energy, and resilience that they need to manage their cravings and maintain sobriety.
- Helping With Withdrawal Symptoms: In addition to making it easier to quit drinking, acupuncture can also make the recovery process easier by relieving withdrawal symptoms. This can be a huge help, as withdrawal symptoms are often one of the biggest hurdles that prevent people from overcoming their addictions, often leading to relapse. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, insomnia, and pain; however, acupuncture has been shown to alleviate these symptoms, making the recovery process more manageable.
For those looking to overcome addictions and cravings, acupuncture can be a valuable addition to their treatment plan by helping them overcome the physical and emotional challenges associated with addiction recovery.
What is The 5 Needle Protocol for Addictions?
Developed by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), the five-needle protocol is the most commonly used and recommended form of acupuncture in addiction treatment. The five-needle protocol involves inserting five needles into specific points in and around the ear: the Shen Men point, the kidney point, the lung point, the sympathetic point, and the liver point. Each of these acupuncture points is believed to produce a different effect meant to aid in treating addiction symptoms.
What Can You Expect When Using Acupuncture to Help Treat Addiction and Cravings?
So what can you expect when using acupuncture to treat addiction and cravings? If you choose to incorporate acupuncture into your addiction recovery plan, it will likely be used in conjunction with other treatment methods such as behavioral health treatment. The actual acupuncture treatments will be much like a regular session. An acupuncturist will insert very small, sterile needles in and around both ears, and you will then sit/lie quietly with them in for about 30 minutes. NADA acupuncture is often performed in group sessions, and treatments may be needed on a regular basis to maximize the benefits of acupuncture therapy for addiction treatment.
Acupuncture can be a valuable component of your addiction recovery plan by helping reduce the cravings and physical/psychological symptoms that often hinder the recovery process. Contact us in Jacksonville, Florida to learn more about acupuncture detox and how it can help treat addictions and cravings.
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