Resources for Acupuncture in Chemical Dependency Treatment and Recovery
Is acupuncture appropriate for mandated or court-referred clients?
These protocols - which were
established by the National
Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) - were used in the first
"Drug Court" established in Dade County, Florida, in 1989 (see
article Why Drug Courts Work). The
NADA protocol includes unique therapeutic daily urine
testing, and - through its network of Registered Trainers - NADA provides
consultation and support in educating referral agencies on strategies
for retaining clients in treatment during the early relapsing stages of
recovery.
One problem has been noted in mandated programs in which the acupuncture is the only non-required or elective activity offered. Many clients in such settings are prone to decline any activity if it is the only one in which they have a choice! It is therefore recommended that participation in acupuncture be treated the same way as participation in other program elements.
previous
- Read FAQs in Sequence - next
Index of Articles - Links - Home
Scroll Down for More "Frequently Asked Questions"
How many clients can be treated at once?
How often do clients need to be treated?
How long to clients have to keep having treatments?
Does it matter what time of day the acupuncture is provided?
What
national organizations support acupuncture in treating addiction? What
resources are available to support us if we decide to do it?
Does
the acupuncture program have to include herbs or nutritional supplements?
What
is the history of how acupuncture began to be used in chemical dependency
treatment?
What
does the acupuncture clinic look like exactly?
How
much space and extra equipment will we need to do it?
How
do we clean or dispose of the needles after they are used?
How
does acupuncture fit with drug testing?
How
do we find and train people to do the needling?
Could
we just try it experimentally to make sure it's a good fit for us?
What
technical assistance will be required to start and maintain an acupuncture
component?
Is
it compatible with harm reduction?
Is
it compatible with 12-Step or abstinence-based treatment approaches?
Is
it appropriate for mandated or court-referred clients?
Is
it appropriate for adolescents?
Is
it appropriate for pregnant women?
Is
it appropriate for people with co-morbid psychiatric problems?
Is
it appropriate for people with HIV/AIDS?
Is
it appropriate in methadone programs?
Is
it appropriate in residential programs?
What
training is required for current program and administrative staff?
What are the steps we should take to add an acupuncture component?