J Addict Dis. 1994 ; 13(3): 71-99.

The impact of the addition of an acupuncture treatment program to an existing metro-Dade County outpatient substance abuse treatment facility.

Konefal J, Duncan R, Clemence C.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA.

There are several varieties of treatment facilities and modalities for dealing with substance abuse. In this study, the addition of acupuncture treatments to the usual care program at an existing county-based substance abuse treatment clinic was tested. Men and women who voluntarily attended the clinic or who were remanded by the court to attend were randomized to receive usual care, usual care plus frequent urine testing, or usual care plus frequent urine testing and acupuncture treatments. Clients who received acupuncture treatments in addition to the usual care and frequent urine testing became clean (as measured by negative urine tests) in 57% of the time required for the frequent urine testing group. Difficulties experienced included low counselor compliance with the protocol and a high drop-out rate, indicating that further research is necessary; however, this study demonstrates that acupuncture can be a feasible and effective addition to existing drug treatment programs.