Chinese practitioners have used acupuncture for more than 2,500 years to treat everything from digestive disorders to migraines. However, doctors have only recently begun using it to treat dependency issues. Acupuncture for addiction treatment is beneficial to clients in a number of ways. Here are just a few of them:
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncturists believe the body has certain pathways of energy known as meridians. In turn, meridians correspond to various organs in the body. The disruption of energy flow causes negative health effects. Inserting needles into strategic points either unblocks that energy or redirects it elsewhere.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Addiction
People often try acupuncture treatment as a method of pain relief. Ironically, many people with dependency issues also suffer from chronic pain. These individuals may have first started taking prescription drugs to manage their pain and later progressed to street opioids. Acupuncture can make it possible to enjoy pain-free living without having to take drugs. This treatment can be part of a comprehensive, holistic approach to chronic pain management.
Acupuncture effectively treats mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression often accompany addictions. The term dual diagnosis describes the situation where addiction and a mental health disorder coexist. Finding the right dual diagnosis treatment center is a key consideration when searching for care. Scientists believe that acupuncture helps raise levels of GABA, serotonin, and dopamine levels in the brain. Those chemicals often plummet following drug use as well as during the withdrawal period.
Another use involves promoting sleep. Proper sleep helps repair some of the damage caused by drug use, yet it is something many people struggle with, particularly during detox.
Using acupuncture for insomnia is one way in which this treatment can make detox less painful. Another is by easing withdrawal symptoms. Some research indicates that acupuncture can help minimize withdrawal symptoms for those addicted to alcohol or opioids. In sum, acupuncture can be a useful tool for a variety of addiction treatment programs.
Other Treatment Options
Aside from acupuncture for addiction treatment, we offer a number of other therapies, including:
We believe a well-rounded approach to treatment benefits our clients best. Accordingly, your treatment plan will vary based upon factors that are unique to you. You will likely experience many different therapies during your time here. As you progress, we focus more on ones that work and less on those that don’t. In that way, we continue to tweak your treatment plan so that it continues being effective.
During intake, we will assess your condition as well as the presence of any underlying mental health disorders. Only then can we come up with a custom treatment plan that is just right for you.
Gain Control of Your Addiction
Are you struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction and don’t know where to turn? If so, you have come to the right place. Our addiction therapy services will help you create your recovery. Contact us at 866.782.0247 to find out more about acupuncture for addiction or any of our other treatment options.
