Understanding the 5-Point Protocol

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association is a nonprofit association that conducts training and provides public education about the use of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for addictions including tobacco addiction, and various mental disorders. Auricular acupuncture has a long history and practitioners trained in this highly specialized form of acupuncture can access the entire body and treat various conditions through the micro-system that is the ear.

Understanding the principles of both Chinese medicine and chemical dependency can lead to significant benefit in recovery from all forms of drug addiction as well as alcoholism and a variety of mental disorders. Because the NADA system is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners of the NADA protocol who are also dually trained in advanced Chinese medical theory (Dr.TCM) are able to have therapeutic applications that extend beyond what was originally coined to be 'addiction' therapy. Most recently, the NADA protocol has been used effectively in the treatment of PTSD, Anxiety Disorders and Dementia to name a few.

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association has specific protocols of treatment, which have been carefully developed and extensively tested worldwide. More than 1500 clinical sites in the US, Europe, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean currently use these protocols. While adapted to Western attitudes and conditions, the NADA method derives directly from the Chinese medicine theory of detoxification. 

For more information on NADA and its applications, please visit the links below:
1. NADA website http://acudetox.com/ 
2. Library of Articles/Journals: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/details/collection/691705/Acupuncture-ancient-tradition-meets-modern-science.html
3. PTSD & NADA: http://www.7dvt.com/2008/sticking-it-ptsd
4. NADA in use - PTSD: http://www.integrativepractitioner.com/article_ektid16566.aspx
5. Anxiety & NADA: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/auricular/nada_detox_protocol
6. Addiction Study in Canada: http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=30203

About TCM & Addiction

Traditional Chinese medicine sees addiction as a disease of the spirit. The spirit in Chinese medicine is housed in the heart. The heart is viewed as the “King of the castle”, and if the king is unhappy, all of his royal subjects suffer. This put simply means that disharmony in one area of the body begins a chain reaction of imbalance that affects the whole person. All things in Chinese medicine hold specific elemental qualities of temperature, movement, and flavour that affect the body and its organ systems differently. The following are a few examples of how different substances affect the body according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 1. Alcohol in terms of Chinese medicine has a warm energy, a dispersing upwards movement (moves qi), and a sweet flavour. It affects the spleen, stomach, liver and gall-bladder.
 
 2. Heroin & other opiates have a sour and astringent flavour, a warm aromatic energy, and are very dispersing (strongly moves qi). Opiates enter all 12 of the meridian systems.

 3. Crack Cocaine/Cocaine has a bitter flavour a warm energy, has a dispersing upwards movement (moves qi), and either affects the lungs (smoked), heart (spirit), liver and kidneys.

The body is designed to shift and compensate for changes in diet, emotion etc, however, it looses this ability when we are exposed to repetitive harmful or imbalanced lifestyles.  The aim of Chinese medicine is to re-balance the internal atmosphere of the body, and regain harmony of the spirit and emotions through acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, exercise, and diet. By following nature’s path, we can find harmony in all things. Acupuncture can be an amazing tool in the management and treatment of both acute and post acute withdrawal symptoms. In BC, its use is included as part of many treatment programs to help clients cope with the complex physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of healing. Additionally, other mindfulness based practices such as meditation, breathing and relaxation skills training, and Yoga have been proven to be of tremendous benefit. 

If you, or someone you know is in need of help, there are many options available that may be covered by your existing health care. Addiction is a disease, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. You are not a "bad" person, and help is only a phone call or 'click' away.

Addiction Treatment Resources 

Dr. Kimberley Schneberk, Dr.TCM Google Analytics