Acupuncture treatment for women with concurrent substance use and anxiety/depression: an effective alternative therapy?

Fam Community Health. 2007 Apr-Jun;30(2):112-20. doi: 10.1097/01.fch.0000264408.36013.03.

Abstract

This exploratory study evaluated the benefits of adding auricular acupuncture to a 21-day outpatient structured psychoeducational treatment program for women with concurrent substance use problems, anxiety, and depression. Women receiving acupuncture (n = 185) reported having reduced physiological cravings for substances, felt significantly less depressed, less anxious, and were better able to reflect on and resolve difficulties than women in the control group (n = 101). It was found that auricular acupuncture, as an adjunct therapy to a comprehensive psychoeducational treatment program for women with addictions, shows promise in being an effective, more viable treatment alternative to anxiolytics.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture, Ear*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / therapy*
  • Anxiety Disorders / complications
  • Anxiety Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Depressive Disorder / complications
  • Depressive Disorder / prevention & control*
  • Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario
  • Personality Inventory
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult