Portland Oregon Acupuncture

Acupuncture is highly related to drug abuse since the treatment approach can be used in conjunction with herbal medications and may also be applied for substance abuse cases. The known positive effects of the method toward alleviating symptoms of chemical dependency have made it popular as a reliable and natural aid before resorting to more drastic procedures.

Growth of Alternative Treatment

Drug withdrawal is considered by doctors to be a very painful and traumatizing process that includes a variety of techniques, counseling sessions and substances. However, the rise of acupuncture along with other forms of alternative treatments has given the public the opportunity to treat chemical problems through natural approaches. Studies showed that the known positive effects of acupuncture in treating drug abuse patients have almost equaled the total cost spent on hospitalizations and alternative methods.

Although scientific data on the true effects of acupuncture on drug abuse needs more elaborate research and studies, clinical stories and anecdotal evidence have shown patients improve significantly. Symptoms of withdrawal have been alleviated with significantly lower side effects and health risks compared to other conventional techniques. Stress relief and detoxification are other benefits related to acupuncture treatment spurring medical clinics and rehabilitation programs to include it in their courses.

The Relationship

Acupuncture has already been proven to give good results for symptoms such as pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Stress and other conditions such as asthma, nausea, morning sickness, chronic pain and arthritis have also been shown to improve with the treatment. Since drug addiction poses several similar symptoms during the withdrawal stage, traditional and modern acupuncture are used to help minimize side effects or used in conjunction with medical methods at lower doses.

A study was made involving 60 drug abuse patients with ages ranging between 16 and 42 years old. All subjects were given acupuncture treatment in addition to the medications provided over an 8-week period. During the withdrawal stage, more than half of the patients reported significant reduction in withdrawal symptoms. All patients successfully finished the treatment course of 8 weeks with almost half diagnosed as completely recovered. Afterwards, the patients continued to get acupuncture treatment for maintenance purposes.

The detoxification effects of the technique were widely realized proving that it is more than just a placebo. At present, most of the individuals that rely on it come from the Eastern hemisphere although Americans accept the practice as long as the practitioner is licensed and accredited with major health organizations.

Acupuncture in Jail

Several inmates in the United States have drug and alcohol abuse problems. Since these individuals are confined, they either have no means of support, access or simply cannot afford drug treatment services. The introduction of acupuncture in the drug abuse scene has led healthcare institutions to continue to provide care and drug treatment programs behind bars using cheaper alternative methods. 4 major treatment programs are now available in the United States that incorporates the use of acupuncture as main treatment or adjunct to other treatment with positive results.

The Treatment Programs

1. Pharmacological approaches make use of Antabuse or methadone together with counseling, acupuncture and other treatment plans. Drug testing is also done regularly with good results.

2. Self-help or the chemical dependency approach uses a 12-step model that incorporates counseling, education and stress management techniques to help inmates cope with their drug problems while in jail. Meetings, planning, rehabilitation programs and seminars are held regularly to help patients identify tools that will help promote health and reduce drug abuse side effects.

3.  Psycho-education approaches are ideal for inmates who have not been confined in prison for over 3 months. Educational courses and activities are provided to motivate individuals to boost self-esteem and find a means of getting out of drug problems. Stress reduction methods such as acupuncture, massage and exercising are taught which they can continue after jail time.

4. Therapeutic communities are residential programs intended for severely drug dependent individuals. These encourage participation and fellowship among inmates dealing with the same problem of drug abuse. Programs usually last for 3 to 9 months and there are also programs that are considered long-term, lasting for years or as long as the individual needs fellowship. Several activities are provided to help realize the benefits of acupuncture and the consequences of drugs.