Acupuncture for Drug & Alcohol Rehab

Acupuncture treats various conditions, including pain, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. More recently, it has also benefited those suffering from substance use disorders and alcoholism.

At Wish Recovery, we use acupuncture to help our patients manage their addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Many have reported feeling calmer and more relaxed after the treatment and have successfully recovered from their drug and alcohol addictions.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture began in China thousands of years ago and entailed the insertion of needles at precise points on the skin. Western nations, however, have just lately started to adopt this approach on a widespread basis. In addition to treating various medical and mental problems, it is also utilized to help those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. 

Acupuncture is founded on the premise that the body is interconnected by channels called meridians. Life energy or Qi may flow more freely when they are activated. When a person's organs are unimpeded, they are thought to perform better. 

The most common kind of acupuncture for treating addiction is auricular, which is ear acupuncture. In conjunction with other treatment modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, and support groups, acupuncture may help people addicted to drugs or alcohol in many ways. 

Anecdotally, acupuncture may reduce substance use by decreasing addiction's positive and negative rewards. Drug and alcohol abuse is made more pleasurable by euphoria and less desirable by dysphoria and other withdrawal symptoms. As dopamine levels are reduced during acupuncture treatments, the positive reinforcement qualities of substances are decreased.

I Understood Myself Only After I Destroyed Myself.
And Only In The Process Of Fixing Myself,
Did I Know Who I Really Was.

Acupuncture needles are put into five distinct locations on the body, most often the ear, during addiction treatment. The five points entail the following:

Lung point: Improves the lungs' functioning and supports grief management.

Autonomic fact: Relieves tension in the nervous system

Liver point: Softens hostility and eliminates toxins from the liver.

Kidney point: Heals the body's essential organs and removes fears.

Shen Men: Decreases anxiety

Inserting these needles takes around 12 minutes. In a dimly lit room, the patient remains silent for 30 to 45 minutes. This ambiance produces an atmosphere of tranquility and well-being that might improve peacefulness and relaxation.

Neurotransmitters Affected by Acupuncture

Research shows that acupuncture considerably impacts the brain's neurotransmitters, particularly those implicated in the neuroactive pain pathway.

Serotonin

The presence of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body eases stress and tension. An acupuncture intervention affects serotonin production as well. Another kind of neurotransmitter that is impacted by acupuncture is catecholamine.

Dopamine

Those who abuse alcohol and potent drugs like morphine, cocaine, and others have abnormally high amounts of dopamine in their brains. The exhilaration felt while taking these drugs is caused by this chemical.

Endorphins

Chemotherapeutic agents that reduce pain and stress in tissues are known as endorphins. Endorphins are thought to be released in the body because of acupuncture intervention, which is very helpful for individuals recovering from addiction. Pain in the body and joints is a common sign of withdrawal. As a result, the availability of endorphins in the system aids recovery.

Direct Goals. Targeted Recovery.

Acupuncture is a valuable tool for supporting recovery from addiction. It can be used on its own or alongside other therapies like behavioral therapy and medication. The goal is to help the body heal from long-term drug or alcohol use, especially in mood, brain function, and cravings.

There is strong evidence that acupuncture can help with addiction-related issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It works by changing the body’s biochemistry in beneficial ways for recovery.

Acupuncture also helps relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the treated area. It also improves relaxation by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in controlling mood and sleep.

Other benefits of acupuncture include reduced blood pressure, improved immune function, and enhanced recovery from surgery or other medical treatments.

At Wish Recovery, we want you to obtain the most significant outcomes possible. Our fully-trained acupuncturists will consult your multidisciplinary team about any concerns and assess if acupuncture should be incorporated as a natural treatment option in your comprehensive recovery plan.