Acupuncture for addiction
Recently the supermodel Kate Moss has been reported to be using ear acupuncture to combat her cocaine addiction. For most acupuncturists, ear acupuncture is the treatment of choice for people who are suffering from any kind of addiction, such as to food, smoking, alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs. In this article, we explain how ear acupuncture can help.
Ear acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins in the brain, which helps to combat the cravings. If treatment is given on a regular basis, this helps to break the cycle of addiction. From a Chinese perspective, the surface of the ear is like a map of the whole body. Points on the ear correspond to different body parts, so by placing needles in the points that correspond to the organs most affected by addiction, treatment helps to detoxify those organs. Typically, the ones that are most affected are the liver, kidneys and lungs, hence the use of those points in the picture below. The other two points in the picture are used to help calm the body in crisis through its necessary period of withdrawal.
Ear acupuncture is now employed in many drug services, prisons and mental health units all over the UK, as well as being used by many private acupuncturists for addictions of all kinds. Our practitioners are fully trained in the protocols of ear acupuncture for addiction and detoxification.
For more information about our addiction service, or any questions in general, please use our contact form and we will do our best to answer your queries.
