Opioid Crisis and Acupuncture | a review of scientific studies

How the US opioid crisis developed

Opioid addiction in the US began with the unfortunate over prescription of highly addictive pain medications, starting in the 1990’s (1).  In the US alone, opioid addiction is the cause of hundreds of deaths per day. Opiates are so addictive, that almost 75% of patients prescribed opiates for chronic pain misuse them. Around 10% develop an addiction disorder. 5% of patients who used opiates for chronic pain, eventually turn to heroin and 1 in 4 heroin addicts started off with prescription opiates (3). This type of addiction is more prevalent in big cities and the midwest, but can be found throughout all walks of life around the entire United States (2).  

Acupuncture offers non-addictive pain relief

The opioid crisis leaves many people still in need of pain relief on a daily basis. Over ten million people in the United States, experience severe pain. The primary treatment approach in our current medical system is to prescribe pain medications, especially opiates for chronic and severe pain (3).  So how can acupuncture help? Acupuncture has been proven in studies throughout the world, in Universities and hospitals in the United States, and even from within the US Military (17), to be an effective pain management therapy. In meta analysis of 13 randomly controlled studies, acupuncture was found to be more affective than analgesic injections (4) . The Mayo clinic, renowned for scientific innovation in medicine, recommends acupuncture for pain (5).  Researches at Stanford University concluded that acupuncture reduces the need for opiates after surgery (6).  In multiple studies, acupuncture has been found to be more effective than drugs in pain management (18, 19, 20).

Overall, acupuncture is an effective, non-addictive method of pain relief which doesn't interact with other medications or treatment modalities. It is useful as a primary therapy or combined with other modalities as an adjunct approach to pain relief. 

Acupuncture reduces addiction and balances emotions

In clinical studies, acupuncture has been shown effective in reducing methamphetamine addiction (7, 8), cocaine addiction (9), smoking addiction (10) and, especially relevant to this article, opioid addiction (11, 13). Additionally, in meta analysis review of studies, acupuncture provided significant improvement in the mental health of addicts receiving acupuncture, concluding that acupuncture can reduce the psychological affects of anxiety and depression associated with opiate addiction (12).

How community acupuncturists can help

The community acupuncture model was specifically studied by the Icahn School of Medicine, which found that community acupuncture not only provided "reduced pain levels, but also significantly reduced pain interference and depression levels.” This same study showed that the participants had a significant drop in pain medication consumption. Their pain relief from community acupuncture treatments lasted for at least 3 months after they stopped receiving acupuncture (14).  Most studies on pain relief and addiction recovery are designed with the patient receiving multiple treatments per week, for a number of weeks in a row.  One of the many benefits of community acupuncture clinics, such as the nonprofit clinic Lakewood Community Acupuncture, is that the low cost model allows patients to receive multiple treatments per week without breaking the bank. The community model is designed for this type of success, affordability and availability. 

The NADA protocol, acupuncture and addiction recovery

The NADA protocol (15) is being utilized in more than 250 hospitals in the US and UK as an effective protocol for addiction recovery. This method of addiction recovery is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) (3). The NADA protocol is an auricular acupuncture technique involving 5 needles in each ear, which are retained for approximately 30 minutes. Numerous studies done from the last 45 years have proven that the NADA protocol is one of the best methods to approach addiction recovery available today (16).

Summary

Opioid addiction is rampant in the US and causes tens of thousands of deaths each year. For the second time in 3 years, the life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped, and the CDC revealed that the increase in death from opioid addiction is a leading factor (21). The need for both a non-addictive pain management strategy and safe methods of addiction recovery cannot be understated. Acupuncture has the unique benefit of being able to both help with pain management and addiction recovery. If you or a loved one are ready to start your road to recovery, we recommend contacting your local acupuncturist and asking them if they have an addiction recovery program to meet your needs. In addition to consistent acupuncture treatment, we recommend group and cognitive therapy, as well as continuing with any successful modalities that have worked in the past.

Learn about LCA's 10 Treatment Addiction Recovery Package, utilizing the NADA protocol by clicking here.

 


About the Author: Jamie Holland is a licensed acupuncturist and applied clinical nutritionist. He is the cofounder of Lakewood Community Acupuncture, the  first non-profit community acupuncture clinic in Colorado. He is committed to offering affordable holistic healthcare and is always striving to embody the healthy lifestyle he encourages in his patients by being active in meditation and community, healthy eating, organic gardening and enjoying the outdoors with his wife, Kate, and their dogs, Luna and Zoey.


Sources:

  1. What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic? hhs.gov/opioids
  2. Opioid Overdose Crisis,  NIH, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Revised March 2018 
  3. The Acupuncturist and the Opioid Crisis, Conquering Pain and Addiction in the US, Nadia Melnyk, DAOM, Lac, Acupuncture Today,  July, 2018  
  4. The immediate analgesic effect of acupuncture for pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis , Xiang, A., Cheng, K., Xu, P., & Liu, S. (n.d.)., Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Oct 2017
  5. Acupuncture, Overview, Mayo Clinic
  6. Stanford Acupuncture Opioid Drug Abuse Knee Replacement Finding, Health CMI, Oct, 2017
  7. Acupuncture Methamphetamine Addiction Discovery, Health CMI, May 2018
  8. Effects of Electroacupuncture on Methamphetamine-Induced Behavioral Changes in Mice, Tsung-Jung Ho, . 2017
  9. Acupuncture Cocaine Addiction Prevention, Health CMI, September 2018
  10. Effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction: an 8-month and 5-year follow-up study. He D, Pubmed, Nov 2011
  11. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Opiate Addiction, Jaung-Geng Lin, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, May 2011
  12. Efficacy of Acupuncture for Psychological Symptoms Associated with Opioid Addiction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Zhang Boyuan, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, November 2014
  13. Acupuncture for the Treatment of Opiate Addiction, Jaung-Geng Lin, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, Feb 2012
  14. Community Acupuncture Found Effective For Pain, Health CMI, June 2017
  15. Research Summary by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Acudetox.com
  16. Effectiveness of Acupuncture as an Adjunct to Substance Abuse Treatment: Summary of Recent Research Findings, BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project, May 2011
  17. Battlefield acupuncture allows quicker recovery time, By Senior Airman Rose Gudex, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs, Air Force Space Command, December, 2015
  18. Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Knee Pain And Inflammation, Health CMI, March 2017
  19. Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Menstrual Pain Relief, Health CMI, October 2016
  20. Acupuncture Found Superior To Drug for Neck Disc Pain, Health CMI, February 2014
  21. U.S. Life Expectancy Drops Amid 'Disturbing' Rise In Overdoses And Suicides, Colin Dwyer, National Public Radio, November 29, 2018
Thomas Najar
Thomas Najar
2023-11-20
Great service at a good price. Convenient location, knowledgable staff, clean and inviting clinic.
Tracy Carr
Tracy Carr
2023-11-10
This is the best place ever! I get cupping and acupuncture when my back starts acting up and leave feeling like 50 pounds was lifted off my back. Crystal and Jamie are very thorough in their questions to understand what’s going on and the treatment they provide. And the prices can’t be beat. 10/10
Liz Spanos
Liz Spanos
2023-11-10
I have been going to Lakewood Community Acupuncture for over a year and can’t imagine my life without it now!! It can truly help with so much - from physical pain (I have issues with my pelvic floor and multiple herniated discs) to emotional blocks, energy deficiencies and more! I ALWAYS feel better after acupuncture. I’ve seen all the practitioners and they are all extremely skilled, but Crystal is my go-to. She is not only very gentle and effective but always a delight to connect with. For the quality of service, atmosphere and price, you cannot do better. It’s been a game changer for me. Wholeheartedly recommend!!
T S
T S
2023-10-19
Have had one visit so far and will be going for many more. Very professional. Office is clean and calming. Their prices are very affordable and I can tell they really care. Highly recommend! 4 years later, I am still a customer and still impressed. Thank you L.C.A.!
Bronson Doom
Bronson Doom
2023-10-19
Crystal is great! I have a compressed l4 l5 and my back has been really tight due to the disk pushing into a nerve. I have completed 2 acupuncture sessions and can already feel the muscles relaxing!
Shannon Ennenga
Shannon Ennenga
2023-09-07
very pleased with how things are going. Have suggested the group to fellow friends and family
Matt Deason
Matt Deason
2023-09-01
Crystal helped me out so much and was very kind and understanding of the issues I was having. I look forward to returning again next week.
Jill B
Jill B
2023-08-30
The care I’ve received is outstanding & affordable! I was doing PT for my injury, but found that I wasn’t getting better so I decided to try alternative methods. After coming to LCA I’ve felt much better & I feel like there’s a comprehensive plan in place to get me healed. I highly recommend giving them a try!

Contact

7114 W Jefferson Ave, suite 112
Lakewood, CO 80235
(720) 242-9756
info@lakewoodacupuncture.org

Hours

Monday: 9am-6pm
Tuesday: 9am-7pm
Wednesday: 9am-7pm
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Friday: 9-7pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram