What is NADA Acudetox Ear Acupuncture?
By utilizing five ear acupuncture points, Acudetox can reduce the symptoms associated with addiction recovery including withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and anxiety. Other chronic stress conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety have also responded favorably. Studies have shown that the most effective program consists of receiving daily treatments (5 days/week) the first 2-4 weeks, then tapering off as symptoms subside. The daily sessions last 30-60 minutes and can be scheduled at a time convenient for you. Lorie became a certified Acudetox practitioner in 2008.
The Development of Acudetox NADA Ear Acupuncture
At five designated ear points in each auricle (outer ear), clinicians trained through NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) apply fine gauge, sterilized, one-time use stainless steel needles just under the skin, where they remain for up to an hour while the patient (in most circumstances) relaxes quietly in a comfortable chair. Originally, groups of patients sat together while undergoing the treatment. The procedure functions as an adjunct to a comprehensive addiction treatment program offering the basic therapeutic elements of counseling, education, family involvement, mutual support group involvement, and supportive health care of general nature. It is not intended or successful as a stand-alone treatment. Patients in all types of treatment settings including inpatient, outpatient, incarcerated, shelters, harm reduction and street outreach have utilized this treatment. Among the benefits reported by patients and clinicians are improved program retention, a more optimistic and cooperative attitude toward the process of recovery, stress reduction, improved ability to focus and work on underlying issues contributing to the addictive behavior, as well as reductions in cravings, anxiety, sleep disturbance and need for pharmaceuticals.
Beyond the actual needling treatment, a key element of the protocol specifies qualities of behavior and attitude on the part of the clinician. We create a zone of peace within which patients can begin to experience their own inner strengths. The points utilized are ear acupuncture points to stimulate the major detoxification organs (lung, liver and kidney) and the emotions associated with them (grief, anger, and fear) using the Chinese Medicine ear acupuncture model. Feelings of calm and peacefulness are often reported after receiving the Acudetox needling. In addition to reduced withdrawal symptoms and increased feelings of calm, some recipients find they can more easily focus on and work through the underlying problems that are major contributing factors to their addiction problems.
How Did NADA Begin?
In 1985, following 10 years of their experience developing the basic five ear-points NADA protocol for treatment of addiction, the staff and other professionals associated with the South Bronx's Lincoln Hospital determined a need for a national-level organization to expand training capacity and awareness of the value of acupuncture as a tool of recovery.
NADA was then established to enroll members, establish a collection of related reference materials, codify a training curriculum and develop a flexible system for registering qualified trainers and delivering trainings. NADA has since trained and certified more than 10,000 health professionals, including counselors, social workers, nurses, medical doctors, psychologists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, outreach workers, drug court judges, corrections officers and others to use the protocol. Lorie became NADA certified in 2008.
