Abstract
Abstract
Background:
National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture is a simple standardized Five-Point auricular needling protocol that originated as a grassroots response to opiate addiction in the 1970s. It is increasingly recognized as a nonspecific behavioral health intervention of notable utility in a wide variety of other psychiatric settings and conditions.
Objective:
The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of NADA acupuncture in reducing the severity of seven common behavioral health symptoms associated with addictive substance use.
Design:
This was a prospective trial in a self-selected population of nonrandomized patients.
Setting:
The trial was conducted at the Mecklenburg County Substance Abuse Services Center (SASC) in Charlotte, NC.
Patients:
All 167 patients participating in the study met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders—IV Edition, American Psychiatric Association criteria for a current diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder.
Intervention:
The interventions examined were NADA-acupuncture-plus-conventional treatment versus conventional-treatment-only within a highly structured 28-day residential treatment program.
Main Outcome Measure:
The outcome sought was a change in symptom severity from baseline as shown on a 10-point Likert scale.
Results:
NADA acupuncture plus conventional treatment was associated with statistically significant improvement (p=0.0001) across all symptom measures. p-Values were obtained from a t-test analysis using SAS statistical software, version 9.1.
Conclusions:
NADA acupuncture may help facilitate significant reduction in cravings, depression, anxiety, anger, body aches/headaches, concentration, and decreased energy.
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