Stillpoint Press Home

The 5-point auricular protocol recommended by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) was initially established in a methadone program in New York, and has been successfully incorporated into countless programs world-wide that also use replacement therapies for detox and "methadone maintenance."

Acupuncture can not only provide profound support to those clients undergoing a detox regimen, but can also help clients abstain from other illicit drugs and alcohol during the course of their treatment.
People who are maintaining opiate abstinence on a prescribed dose of methadone will sometimes seek acupuncture as a means of reducing or ceasing their methadone use. The effects of acupuncture are not generally strong enough to successfully address the symptoms of acute withdrawal that occur with abrupt methadone cessation. These clients need to be encouraged to follow a prescribed regimen of gradually tapering down their methadone use.

For the infants of pregnant women who have been on methadone maintenance during their pregnancy, NADA provides special training in the auricular treatment of the infants using seeds.

previous - Read FAQs in Sequence - next

Index of Articles - Links - Home

Scroll Down for More "Frequently Asked Questions"

More FAQs

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?

Won't adding "alternative medicine" such as acupuncture make our program seem experimental or "fringe" with our referral sources, funders, or potential clients?

Can I start an acupuncture treatment program if I am not currently an alcohol and other drug treatment provider?

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?

What staffing is required?

How do we get the needles?

How do we clean or dispose of the needles after they are used?

What about medical liability?

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?

Articles on this Website