Acupuncture for substance addiction has the goals of reducing anxiety, promoting sound sleep, decreasing cravings for alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes. In the U.S., the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), standardised a 3- to 5-point ear acupuncture protocol. It has evolved into the most widely implemented acupuncture-assisted protocol, not only for substance abuse but also for broad behavioral health applications.
This paper concluded ” This review demonstrates the mounting evidence that the NADA protocol has positive effects on a host of measures, populations, and treatment modalities. It is striking that many of the studies reveal NADA’s effectiveness with populations often considered to be the most difficult to treat.” (1)