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In a study entitled, "The effect of acupuncture on the acute withdrawal symptoms from rapid opiate detoxification," published in 2002, it was shown that acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in withdrawal symptoms for patients undergoing rapid opiate detoxification (ROD). This process is highly regarded for its effectiveness, but can also produce strong side effects as well.

Out of the 40 trial participants, half received acupuncture therapy for three days before their ROD began, while the control group did not receive any treatment. Both groups answered a questionnaire regarding the severity of their withdrawal symptoms during ROD. The acupuncture group assessed the severity of their symptoms as being notably lower than that of the control group. The researchers concluded that acupuncture is a viable, safe therapy and recommend it be a part of the ROD process in the future.

Source: Montazeri, Kamran & Farahnakian, Mehdi & Saghaei, Mahmoud. (2002). The effect of acupuncture on the acute withdrawal symptoms from Rapid Opiate Detoxification. Acta anaesthesiologica Sinica. 40. 173-7.

About the Author: Vanessa Vogel Batt, L.Ac., MSTOM, studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and practiced acupuncture and Oriental medicine in New York for several years. Vanessa enjoys traveling the world, and has published articles on acupuncture and Oriental medicine and related health topics for websites and publications in both the U.S. and abroad.