Resources for Acupuncture in Chemical Dependency Treatment and Recovery
Many successful treatment programs
have started as free-standing or "store front" acupuncture drop-in
clinics. Also, a few acupuncturists and other holistic health care professionals
in private practice have had some success in integrating alcohol and other
drug treatment services into their practice.
If you are thinking about doing
this, the important thing to remember is that acupuncture treatment for
addiction loses its effectiveness if it is not provided in concert
with a comprehensive continuum of treatment and recovery support services.
Licensed acupuncturists who want to start programs have had greater success
in networking in their communities and advocating for the integration
of their services in other existing treatment, social services, and criminal
justice settings.
There are many strategies and tips on all these approaches in the book Transformation and Recovery: A Guide for the Design and Development of Acupuncture-Based Chemical Dependency Treatment Programs - including an entire appendix section on how to start a program.
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How many clients can be treated at once?
How often do clients need to be treated?
How long to clients have to keep having treatments?
Does it matter what time of day the acupuncture is provided?
What
national organizations support acupuncture in treating addiction? What
resources are available to support us if we decide to do it?
Does
the acupuncture program have to include herbs or nutritional supplements?
What
is the history of how acupuncture began to be used in chemical dependency
treatment?
What
does the acupuncture clinic look like exactly?
How
much space and extra equipment will we need to do it?
How
do we clean or dispose of the needles after they are used?
How
does acupuncture fit with drug testing?
How
do we find and train people to do the needling?
Could
we just try it experimentally to make sure it's a good fit for us?
What
technical assistance will be required to start and maintain an acupuncture
component?
Is
it compatible with harm reduction?
Is
it compatible with 12-Step or abstinence-based treatment approaches?
Is
it appropriate for mandated or court-referred clients?
Is
it appropriate for adolescents?
Is
it appropriate for pregnant women?
Is
it appropriate for people with co-morbid psychiatric problems?
Is
it appropriate for people with HIV/AIDS?
Is
it appropriate in methadone programs?
Is
it appropriate in residential programs?
What
training is required for current program and administrative staff?
What are the steps we should take to add an acupuncture component?