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In 1972 in China, it was noted that when patients were being treated with auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) for surgical anesthesia, some of the patients had lost their desire for drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Thus, this was the first documentation of auriculotherapy decreasing cravings. In 1974, Bronx, NY, the first protocol was developed and implemented utilizing auriculotherapy to assist the patients with their heroin detoxification. In 1986, this same program was expanded to accommodate referrals from the New York City Criminal Justice System as an alternative to jail sentencing. To date, there are over 500 chemical dependency clinics worldwide utilizing auriculotherapy in conjunction with psychological treatment programs for the treatment of drug addictions.
The treatment procedure for Acupuncture Detoxification Therapy (which utilizes auriculotherapy exclusively) is very simple. The patient sits in a chair while the practitioner inserts 5 sterile, disposable acupuncture needles into specific points on each external ear. The patient then remains seated in a meditative, relaxed mode for 30 to 40 minutes. The needles are then removed and the patient is dismissed. This therapy is non-verbal. No questions are asked of the patient.
Since the needles are only inserted less than one millimeter into the skin of the outer ear, most patients respond that acupuncture needles in the ear do not hurt. Some patients also state that it is much less painful than getting their ears pierced. Some state that they initially feel a small pin-prick-like sensation, but that it disappears within a second or two. Depending upon the individual’s pain threshold level, the sensations felt do vary from patient to patient. For the vast majority, however, it is not a painful experience. There are no side effects with acupuncture detoxification therapy. It is anticipated that the patient will experience: a decrease in his/her anxieties; relief from long term depression; improved control over one’s emotional state; a decrease in cravings; a decrease in withdrawal symptoms; an improvement in the body’s immune function; and an improvement in the patient’s over-all health. The patient will also feel more relaxed and more willing to participate in other treatment modalities as well.
With acupuncture there is minimal risk of infection. All steps are taken to further minimize this risk. For instance, prior to needle insertion, the area of the ear is cleaned with alcohol. Only sterilized, disposable needles are utilized. Other risks may include: minor bleeding which is uncommon and easily controlled; ear tenderness; and the patient may feel a bit drowsy especially after the first few treatments. Again, there are no side effects associated with acupuncture. The number of treatments required varies greatly from patient to patient. Therefore, it is recommended that each patient receive 5 treatments per week for 4 consecutive weeks and then the patient is allowed to set his/her own treatment schedule. This approach allows each patient to participate in one’s own treatment. To fully understand and appreciate how acupuncture detoxification therapy works, one must understand the definition of addiction and the physiologic processes involved. Addiction, from a natural healing point of view, is defined as the utilization of a substance that has a mixture of both pleasant and unpleasant properties, most of which have a deleterious effect on the human body. However, with continued use of an addictive substance, the body’s awareness of those toxic and unpleasant effects is suppressed. Withdrawal is, therefore, a crisis state of the body involving both a decrease in the eliminative functions of the various organs as well as an increasing awareness of the symptoms of generalized toxicity due to the accumulation of those waste products. In other words, with continued drug usage, the body’s eliminative functions are impaired, the level of toxins circulating in the body is increased, and the body’s awareness of those circulating toxins is suppressed. When the body is denied the addictive substance, the body’s awareness to the generalized toxic state increases, thus the development of cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Acupuncture detoxification therapy utilizes specific points to treat the body as a whole. There are specific points to balance the nervous system, to produce a relaxing effect for the patient, and to stimulate the healing processes for those organs of elimination, which have been suppressed by the substance abuse. Acupuncture detoxification therapy restores the natural healing processes of the body. Once these organs of elimination have been stimulated and are healing, they can more efficiently remove the circulating toxins within the body, thus reducing the withdrawal symptoms and thereby decreasing the need or cravings for additional drugs.
Any person who is participating in a substance abuse program should consider supplementing his/her existing therapies with acupuncture detoxification therapy. The same acupuncture detoxification protocols are utilized for all addiction cases, whether it is cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines, prescription drugs, etc. Acupuncture detoxification therapy is completely safe for pregnant women. Acupuncture detoxification therapy is not a “magic bullet”. By itself, it can be somewhat effective, but greater results can be achieved when utilized within a complete substance abuse treatment program. It is strongly recommended that those desiring to participate in acupuncture detoxification therapy do continue with their current treatment program.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, then do consider adding acupuncture detoxification therapy to your existing treatment program. Acupuncture detoxification therapy is safe and natural. It approaches drug detoxification on a whole body healing concept without the use of additional drugs.
In addition, Dr. Benham also trains counselors and staff working in the chemical dependency field as Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists according to the standards and protocols set by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). If your clinic is interested in having your personnel trained in the NADA protocol, then contact Dr. Benham for further information.
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BENHAM CHIROPRACTIC
CHIROPRACTIC * ACUPUNCTURE * APPLIED KINESIOLOGY NEURO EMOTIONAL TECHNIQUE |
