Acudetox

We all know that the 1970s was a time of civil and cultural unrest. It was also a time where illicit drugs we're being used prolifically, and it was no surprise when large pockets of people were found to be addicted to heroin and methadone. One such area was in the Bronx in New York at Lincoln hospital. There were little resources for the community and a psychiatrist, doctor Michael Smith, looking to assist in rehab, started collaborating with an eastern oral surgeon, Dr Wen, who used acupuncture and noticed his patients were getting off of heroin after their mouth surgery. These two doctors worked together to hone in on which acupuncture points were most contributory to helping people get off of heroin and opioids.

From this work came what's known as Acudetox, or 5NP-5 needle protocol. This auricular acupuncture involves placing 5 sterile single use acupuncture needles in specific points in both ears. The five points are as follows: the sympathetic point which actually triggers the parasympathetic nervous system helping you switch from flight/fight to rest/digest; shen men which is known as the spirit gate, helping you connect with your highest version of yourself, God, source energy, or even just that flow state; the next three points all involve the filtering organs of the kidney, liver, and lungs; the kidney point can help with issues of fear, the liver point can help with anger issues, and the lung point can help release deep sadness and grief. Because this is a detox the physical body may experience symptoms as well, which are usually transient and tolerable.

The needles, once placed, can stay in for 20 to 45 minutes, during which time the participant usually just relaxes. The subjective experiences can vary from some people stating they simply had no thoughts and their mind was still and quiet, to some saying they saw lava lamp type colors, to some going on journeys that would compare to an experience in a psychedelic state, while others simply enjoy a deep rest. As a Yogi, I like to say it is all  the benefits of years of meditation without the years of meditation practice.

It has only been in the last couple of years that mental health care practitioners are able to become Acudetox Specialists (ADS), here in Texas, through 5 NP and the Texas Medical Board. When I discovered Acudetox and then experienced it, I knew right away this was something that would align perfectly with my other bottom-up interventions to help people find balance and healing within.

For more information on Acudetox history: A Tribute to Dr. Michael Smith – Sheila Murphy - National Acupuncture Detoxification Association