Acupuncture Services for Mental Health and Substance Use

About acupuncture

• A treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine
• Used to treat and prevent various health problems.
• Involves inserting fine needles into specific acupuncture points.
• These points are gateways to the body’s energy channels, called meridians.
• Stimulating these points helps restore the body’s vital energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).
• Blocked or unbalanced Qi can lead to illness.
• Acupuncture promotes balance on emotional, spiritual, and physical levels to support overall health.

How acupuncture supports mental health

• Impacts the brain and endocrine systems, both of which impact the body balance linked to mental health.  
• Helps to balance the seven emotions: anger, joy, sadness, worry, grief, fear, and fright/shock.
• Can improve depression, anxiety, general stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis.

How acupuncture helps with substance use and addiction

• An integral part of the recovery process.
• Supports the effects of other treatments, such as counseling, medication, and group programs.
• Targets the release of natural body chemicals, such as endorphins. , as well as the neural activation of specific organs most affected by the substance, such as the liver.
• Can benefit individuals who use alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamines, and/or nicotine.
• More frequent treatments are recommended in early recovery, when cravings increase, in times of increased stress, or when a relapse occurs.

What people say about their acupuncture experience

• Feeling more relaxed; reduced stress
• Reduced substance cravings
• Reduction or elimination of withdrawal symptoms
• A clearer mind and sense of purpose
• Better sleep, appetite, and energy

• You will receive your own treatment in a safe and comfortable group setting
• You will be able to speak with the acupuncturist privately if needed.
• You will sit in a chair. Needles may be placed in your ears, head, neck, face and upper extremities (including hands).
• Only new, sterilized, and disposable needles are used.
• Once the needles are inserted, you will sit quietly for 40 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate, and/or think about positive changes in your life.

VCH acupuncturists

They are required to maintain current registration and be in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC. They are specifically trained according to the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Acudetox protocols, which are effective in easing symptoms of withdrawal from substances and treating mental health conditions.

NHS. (n.d.). Acupuncture. Health A to Z. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acupuncture/

Fan, A. Y., Miller, D. W., Bolash, B., Bauer, M., McDonald, J., Faggert, S., He, H., Li, Y. M., Matecki, A., Camardella, L., Koppelman, M. H., Stone, J. A. M., Meade, L., & Pang, J. (2017). Acupuncture’s role in solving the opioid epidemic: Evidence, cost-effectiveness, and care availability for acupuncture as a primary, non-pharmacologic method for pain relief and management–White Paper 2017. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 15(6), 411–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2095-4964(17)60378-9

Stuyt, E., Voyles, C., & Bursac, S. (2018). Nada Protocol for Behavioral Health. putting tools in the hands of Behavioral Health Providers: The case for auricular detoxification specialists. Medicines, 5(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5010020

Carter, K., & Olshan-Perlmutter, M. (2014). Nada Protocol. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 25(4), 182–187. https://doi.org/10.1097/jan.0000000000000045

Carter, K., Olshan-Perlmutter, M., Marx, J., Martini, J., & Cairns, S. (2017). Nada Ear Acupuncture: An adjunctive therapy to improve and maintain positive outcomes in substance abuse treatment. Behavioral Sciences, 7(2), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs7020037 

Schwartfigure, C. (2023, May 19). How Can Acudetox Help During Detox?. Maryland Recovery. https://www.marylandrecovery.com/blog/acudetox-help