Addiction Recovery

Addiction is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.”

Whether the object of addiction is:

alcohol | opioids | drugs | smoking | pain medication | food | gambling | pornography

…addiction disorders have a wide variety of psychological, physical, and social effects that can greatly reduce a person’s quality of life. Symptoms from withdrawal or cessation can vary, but may include:

Each person has their own unique experience on the road to recovery. At Circle Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic, treatment begins with a comprehensive look at physical signs and symptoms, mental and emotional aspects and environmental factors of the present moment. Next, after a thorough evaluation, treatment may include acupuncture, massage therapy or herbal medicine with dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

In a study on acupuncture and opiate addiction, acupuncture accelerated the release of β-endorphin, dynorphin and enkephalin in the central nervous system. Acupuncture promotes dopamine production, which decreases the pain of withdrawal, benefits movement, memory, focus while calming the mind and creating a pleasurable response. This is one of the reasons why acupuncture is so effective for treating so many forms of addiction.

Herbal medicine can greatly improve the experience of the addiction recovery process. For example, valerian root promotes a good night’s sleep and ashwagandha helps the body to manage stress, anxiety and depression.

Massage therapy helps to bring the body into a deep state of relaxation by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system. Massage therapy also relaxes the muscles, reduces pain, calms the mind, reduces anxiety and depression and promotes a sense of well being.

We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, please call or email Circle Acupuncture & Wellness Clinic to find out how we can help you feel your best so you can be your best!