Acupuncture has been
offered to addiction treatment patients at ETS since
1992. Under the direction of Rachel Diaz, L.Ac.,
MSW, a team of licensed acupuncturists provides
treatment to approximately 40 patients each day.
Acupuncture is used in combination with pharmacotherapy,
and individual and group counseling to enhance patients' abilities to cope with
stress, anxiety, and urges to use drugs.
The procedure involves gentle placement of five
small, sterilized disposable needles into specific sites
on the patient's ear. No electrical stimulation is used.
The patients receive treatment in a group setting, where
they sit quietly, relaxing or meditating, for approximately
45 minutes. The acupuncturist may add
additional points on the body to the standard protocol
to help patients with specific complaints such as
insomnia, headaches, or low back pain.
Auricular
