Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction can be challenging, but with the help of addiction therapy services like acupuncture therapy, a healthy recovery can be your reality. At Foundations San Francisco, we incorporate various holistic therapies into our treatment programs to provide our patients with a thorough and profound healing experience. Call us today at 415.854.6735 or connect with us online to learn more about how to take your life back from addiction with acupuncture therapy in San Francisco.
What Is Acupuncture Therapy?
Acupuncture therapy is a holistic treatment from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on the belief that the body has 12 meridians through which energy or qi flows. Each meridian correlates with an area of the body, such as the lungs, kidney, or heart. When these meridians or channels are blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to physical and emotional health concerns. By inserting very thin, sterile needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture therapy can help restore the flow of qi and promote healing.
How Can Acupuncture Support Recovery?
While acupuncture is excellent for overall health and well-being, how can it help someone recover from addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions? The benefits of acupuncture therapy reach far and wide. Some of the advantages of incorporating acupuncture into addiction recovery are:
Reducing Cravings
Acupuncture has been found to minimize cravings for drugs or alcohol by helping to regulate the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. When a person uses opioid drugs, for example, large amounts of dopamine are released. This is part of the brain’s reward pathway, providing feelings of pleasure that make you want to keep using the substance. Acupuncture therapy can also trigger dopamine release, so you can experience the positive effects without needing opioids or other harmful substances.
Improving Sleep Quality
Drug and alcohol withdrawal can lead to sleep disruptions, including difficulty falling or staying asleep. Acupuncture can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, which helps encourage healthy sleep patterns.
Minimizing the Effects of Stress and Anxiety
Addiction recovery can be accompanied by high stress and anxiety levels. By helping calm the nervous system, acupuncture therapy can help make you more resilient to these symptoms.
Enhanced Overall Well-Being
While in recovery, you can experience various physical and emotional discomforts, especially while detoxing from drugs or alcohol. Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, which provide natural pain-relieving and mood-enhancing properties. This can contribute to an overall sense of well-being and improved mental health as you go through withdrawal.
Alleviating Withdrawal Symptoms
Many of the symptoms that acupuncture can help address correlate with the symptoms of withdrawal. Insomnia, nausea, headaches, muscle aches, anxiety, and depression are all common withdrawal symptoms that may be minimized with acupuncture therapy.
Should You Try Acupuncture Therapy for Recovery?
Acupuncture therapy may be right for your recovery if:
- You have tried quitting drugs or alcohol before without success
- You would prefer addiction treatment that incorporates holistic therapies
- You struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- You have trouble relaxing or sleeping through the night
If you have never tried acupuncture, you may be nervous about having needles inserted into your skin. Keep in mind the needles are very thin, comparable to the size of a hair. Most people barely feel a thing when the needles are inserted. For your safety and peace of mind, be sure that you only access acupuncture therapy from a certified acupuncturist.
Heal from Addiction and Co-occurring Disorders with Acupuncture Therapy at Foundations San Francisco
While acupuncture therapy should not replace traditional addiction treatments, it can play a valuable role in recovery. If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of acupuncture therapy in San Francisco, give us a call at 415.854.6735 or fill out our online form.