Addiction can negatively impact nearly every aspect of life. Addiction can affect one’s relationships, mental health, physical health, legal status, and finances. So, it’s important to find and utilize the types of treatments that best work for each individual as not every person’s needs in addiction recovery are the same. If you are struggling with addiction and are looking for alternative and complementary assets to utilize during your recovery journey, acupuncture is a great tool to utilize. Many find that using acupuncture during recovery gives them additional symptom relief and helps them to feel more motivated and energized in order to accomplish treatment or recovery goals.
Addiction, otherwise known as substance use disorder, is defined as the continuing usage of mood-altering substances or behavior despite the negative consequences or neurological impairment. Classic examples of addiction include the lack of control toward substance or behavior, preoccupation with substance or behavior, and continuing substance or behavior despite negative effects. Continuing such behavior or substance leads to psychological dependency as the body incorporates the addiction into ‘normal’ functions of the body. This will create both Tolerance and Withdrawal. Tolerance occurs when the body normalizes and adapts to the addiction and therefore needs more and more amounts to achieve the original effect. Withdrawal occurs as the addiction is reduced or removed from the dependency.
There are many different causes of addiction. But, the majority of people living with addiction are also living with comorbid mental health issues. Mental health issues may arise as a result of an addictive lifestyle. Or, they can be the cause of developed addiction. For example, many people with undiagnosed mental health issues utilize mind-altering and pain-dulling addictive substances in order to numb symptoms of mental health issues.
Another common reason for addiction to develop is physical illness or injury. In these cases, individuals may be given prescription addictive substances in order to manage symptoms of pain. But, with prolonged use, tolerance and dependency ensue. Thus, when these medications are no longer prescribed, individuals may look to the streets in order to avoid withdrawal – leading to a cycle of drug abuse and addiction.
The causes of addiction are many, but it’s important to note that addiction is something that does not discriminate. Addiction is a mental health issue that can develop in people of any age, creed, race, religion, or profession. So, if you think you may have developed addictive behaviors, it’s a good idea to get a head start on your recovery as soon as possible.
When people living with addiction stop using addictive substances, their bodies crave to use these substances as they have developed a dependency. But, acupuncture helps to rebalance hormone levels in the brain including dopamine. And, reduce pain as it can help to stimulate the central nervous system. Therefore, helping to reduce some of the adverse effects of withdrawal and helping people who are attempting to overcome addiction do so more easily.
Acupuncture is best utilized for people in addiction treatment or recovery as a complementary tool for addiction. This means that people utilizing this tool should first talk with their addiction and mental health providers before considering this additional tool on top of the other therapies and medications they may already be using. There are a number of benefits to using acupuncture during addiction treatment planning and recovery including:
If you or a loved one is living with addiction and is getting help, considering acupuncture as an alternative, safe, and effective complementary treatment is within your reach. Acupuncture Zen makes acupuncture sessions for people in recovery from addiction available at our Delray Center location.
