Introduction:

Acupuncture therapy has been an accepted practice in Chinese medicine since the early sixteenth century. It has only recently been acknowledged for its benefits in Western medicine, earning recognition from the National Institute of Health in 1997. Acupuncture was initially used to treat pain, nausea after surgery or chemotherapy, and morning sickness; and has proven effectiveness in treating conditions, such as headaches, asthma, stroke rehabilitation, and fibromyalgia. Now, its uses have expanded, and acupuncture is being used for anesthesia during procedures, myofascial pain syndrome, correction of breech position in unborn fetuses, and much more. Recently, acupuncture treatment has been the focus of many clinical trials in studying its effects on substance abuse disorders. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol was developed in 1985 to allow addiction centers to use acupuncture to treat substance abuse disorders in the United States and the United Kingdom. Then, in 1996, the World Health Organization accepted acupuncture as a treatment for drug abuse. Since 1996, it has been utilized as a treatment option for cocaine, opioid, nicotine, and alcohol. The study of acupuncture as a treatment for addiction has demonstrated contradictory results due to factors such as: intergroup differences, variation in sample sizes, and acupuncture placebo effects. This paper focuses on the outcomes of a select few clinical trials, namely in the diverse effects and results of acupuncture on patients presenting with different addictions.

Future Research

• Effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in conjunction with other forms of therapy

• Overall effect on the limbic system of the brain, specifically, in the creation of dopamine

• Studying alternative forms of acupuncture including but not limited toL electro-acupuncture, ear acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxa, and acupoint massage

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