Addiction is a serious problem affecting millions of people. It’s extremely difficult to overcome addiction, which is why many programs fail and many addicts return to their previous behaviors. But there are some options that have a high rate of success and don’t require any medication or time at a rehab facility or hospital. 

Many people have experienced success with acupuncture for addiction treatment. Acupuncture offers many benefits that treat addiction at the source, such as stress relief, emotional release, pain relief, and detoxification. Many addicts turn to substances or food to help them manage stress or relieve their anxiety. People who suffer from chronic pain are often prescribed narcotics and other habit-forming medications that easily lead to addiction. But acupuncture can treat the cause of the addiction for many patients and help with the detoxification process. 

Here are 5 examples of addiction problems that acupuncture can help treat. 

1. Vaping

One of the most common addictive habits is vaping or using electronic cigarettes. Vaping is believed to be healthier than smoking cigarettes because it doesn’t include tar and other harmful chemicals that are breathed in when a cigarette burns. 

However, electronic cigarettes still contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance, as well as other harmful chemicals. Vaping is also known to compromise lung health. Although it was once touted as a way to break addiction to cigarettes, it has proven ineffective in studies. 

Acupuncture can help to break an addiction to vaping as well as detoxify the body to remove the harmful chemicals that come from e-cigarettes. 

2. Smoking

An addiction to smoking is nearly as common as vaping, although vaping has become more prominent in teens and younger adults. Many of the same chemicals are present, and of course nicotine, the addictive substance. Smoking also has a negative impact on lung health and heart health. 

Acupuncture can help to calm a person’s nervous system, which is often the reason people turn to smoking. When a smoker feels higher than normal levels of stress they may increase the frequency of their smoking. Smokers tend to associate smoking with certain times of the day, behaviors, and places. But acupuncture can alleviate the triggers that make a smoker feel the need to smoke. 

3. Drugs

Drug addiction can encompass a wide range of legal and illegal substances and medications. In many cases, drug addiction starts with a prescription medication that becomes a habit. The longer a person takes a drug, the more the body gets used to processing it and eliminating it. The drug becomes less effective and a higher dosage is needed to get the same positive effect. 

Some drugs are particularly habit forming, such as opioids that can lead to more serious substance abuse. Opioids are prescribed for pain management, and pain relievers are the most commonly abused drugs. 

Acupuncture is an alternative source of pain relief. The tiny needles that are inserted into the top layer of skin can increase blood flow and promote the flow of energy throughout the body, especially to areas where pain resides.

4. Alcohol

Another commonly abused substance is alcohol, especially because it is legal. Alcoholics often struggle to realize or admit that they have a problem because drinking alcohol is a socially acceptable behavior. Many people use alcohol as a stress reliever or a mood enhancer, as it often allows people to relax. 

Acupuncture is a healthier alternative that promotes relaxation and stress relief. Many patients find that they get the same or greater benefit from an acupuncture session than they do from a night of drinking or even a few glasses of wine. 

5. Food

Millions of people are overweight or obese due to an unhealthy relationship with food. Overeating is an addiction that can be just as harmful as substance abuse. Eating unhealthy foods, such as fried food and sugar, is as big a part of the problem as how much you eat. Being overweight leads to all kinds of health problems from heart disease to diabetes. Why do people eat too much? Because food can be just as addicting as any of the substances listed above. 

Acupuncture can relieve some of the triggers that cause people to fall into emotional eating habits. Eating unhealthy food to feel comfort or eating when you aren’t really hungry because you feel stressed or sad is something that you can overcome. Acupuncture can help to relieve your stress and boost your mood so that you can focus on eating only when you’re hungry. It also helps with detoxification, eliminating the toxins from your body so that you won’t crave the same unhealthy foods. 

Thumos Health Center Treats a Variety of Health Issues with Acupuncture

If you’re suffering from addiction of any kind from vaping to drug abuse, acupuncture for addiction treatment at Thumos Health Center may be able to help you overcome it. Acupuncture relieves stress and pain by restoring the flow of energy and circulation within the body. With the healing benefits of acupuncture, addiction can be treated at the source, eliminating the reason the patient developed the addiction and continues to be controlled by it. 

Call (310) 927-2792 today to schedule a consultation or contact us to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you overcome your addiction through the healing benefits of acupuncture. 

 

Located in Pacific Palisades, with satellite clinics in Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, and Beverly Hills, Thumos Health Center offers patients exceptional personalized care. If you are ready to take the first steps toward a more integrative approach to your health care, we invite you to phone 310-428-1215 to schedule an appointment at any of our Los Angeles locations. Our highly knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have.