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Addiction Medicine pp 1237–1261Cite as

Ear Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment

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Abstract

Acupuncture is currently used in the treatment of addictions by approximately 2,500 addiction treatment programs. Clinical evidence supports that it is effective in ameliorating withdrawal and craving symptoms associated with alcohol, opiate, and cocaine dependence, as well as symptoms associated with most other addictions. Acupuncture for cocaine dependence has been particularly recognized as an important innovation, since there are presently no established pharmaceutical treatments for cocaine dependence. Acupuncture is used by programs as a foundation for later psychosocial recovery. It is a non-verbal, non-threatening, “first-step” intervention that has an immediate calming effect on clients regardless of the specific substance used and regardless of whether a coexisting psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed. Initial participation with acupuncture has been found to improve participants’ overall treatment retention, and to facilitate their subsequent involvement. In most programs, clients receive 3–5 ear acupuncture points while seated together in a large group room so that a substantial number of individuals can be treated conveniently. This safe and cost-efficient procedure has gained increasing acceptance from agencies responsible for overseeing addiction treatment. Evidence for the benefit of acupuncture in coexisting psychiatric conditions and other behavioral health settings also will be presented. This chapter will describe the practical use and research findings related to acupuncture for addiction. Mechanisms of action that involve physiology and psychosocial process will be covered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lincoln Recovery Center of Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY, 10454, USA

    Michael O. Smith

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Michael O. Smith

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Kenneth O. Carter

  4. National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, Vancouver, WA, USA

    Kenneth O. Carter

  5. Division of Nursing, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Kajsa Landgren

  6. Circle Program, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, 81003, USA

    Elizabeth B. Stuyt

Authors
  1. Michael O. Smith
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  2. Kenneth O. Carter
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  3. Kajsa Landgren
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  4. Elizabeth B. Stuyt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael O. Smith .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Depts Psychiat & Neurobehav Sciences, Me, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 22908, Virginia, USA

    Bankole A. Johnson

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© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Smith, M.O., Carter, K.O., Landgren, K., Stuyt, E.B. (2010). Ear Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment. In: Johnson, B. (eds) Addiction Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0338-9_61

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0338-9_61

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0337-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0338-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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