Acudetox Acupuncture

Acudetox acupuncture, also known as the NADA protocol, is a standardized ear acupuncture treatment that uses five specific points on the ear to support stress reduction, emotional balance, and recovery from addiction. It’s often used as a complementary therapy alongside counseling and other treatments.
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Acudetox, is a standardized 5 needle acupuncture protocol which was determined by The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). Acudetox began to assist patients manage difficult withdrawal symptoms from substance addiction. This procedure was discovered by Hsiang-Lai Wen, a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong in 1972, that auricular (ear) acupuncture positively impacted withdrawal symptoms from opium. While it is still used widely in substance abuse treatment,The NADA protocol is now used by behavioral health clinicians to assist patients in managing issues such as anxiety and depression. As stated in a NIH article, “NADA protocol was helpful as a stress reduction technique, improving sleep and coping”(1). It has been used to help people after the 9/11 attacks in New York and victims of hurricane Katrina.

Acudetox involves placing small acupuncture needles in 5 points in the outer ear, demonstrated in the diagram below.

Diagram of ear showing Acudetox (NADA protocol) acupuncture points including Sympathetic, Shen Men, Kidney, Liver, and Lung locations.

These points correlate with the following outcomes:

  • Sympathetic – balances the autonomic nervous system, calms the spirit
  • Shen Mein – relieves pain, reduces anxiety, helps with insomnia,
  • Kidney – stimulates physiologic functions, relieves fear
  • Liver – stimulates hormonal function, relieves muscle cramps, aids in clear thinking, decreases anger and frustration
  • Lung – assists detoxification, regulates grief/sadness, improves sense of connection and self-respect

The needles are placed in the outer ear and the patient relaxes for 20-40 minutes. During my training, we had to practice on each other. I found Acudetox to be very relaxing and helped manage the stress of learning the technique.

1. Stuyt, E. & Voyles, C, 12/7/2016, The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol, auricular acupuncture to support patients with substance abuse and behavioral health disorders: current perspectives. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation posted on National Library of Medicine website: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5153313/#b20-sar-7-169