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Amber Jones English 1103-029 Professor Ingram October 30, 2012 A Cure for Addiction Addiction is a word that can describe anything that deals with everyday life. Addiction, by definition, is a state of being enslaved to a habit or behavior (Addiction). Alcohol and sex are some of the most talked about addictions, but what about the unusual addictions that go unnoticed almost on a daily basis. Such as a woman being physically abused, but is promised by her partner that it would not happen again. That one day she stayed soon turns into a week, a week into a month, and those months become years. Soon she realizes that it is hard for her to break free of that unhealthy relationship because it is all that she knows and it has become something that she is use to dealing with. Even verbal abuse can be addictive. For someone that is use to hearing negative comments directed towards them and being called out of their names, it might be shocking to hear someone give them a compliment. These people are addicted to the type of behavior pattern that their partner expresses. That is why it is hard for them to get out of a situation that others could easily say no to. When dealing with situations that doesnt involve the normal assumption of addiction, which is addiction in relation to alcohol or sex, the key question in this case is how can they get help, and what kind of help is suitable for them? Addiction isnt just for people who are strung out on drugs, but for those who are, what is the appropriate way to treat them? A well known way for drug addicts to get help is to simply go to rehab, or a twelve-step program to help them break the habit. While celebrities like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan,

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Gary Busey, and Rodney King result to the traditional way of breaking the habit others have turned to alternative methods such as acupuncture (Celebrity). Acupuncture is an unorthodox practice of medicine that is used usually to treat arthritis, pain, depression, anxiety, and symptoms that are related. When dealing with such an interesting topic, acupuncture isnt the easiest method to understand. Using common knowledge of what acupuncture is and how it came to be, many people know of the thin needles piercing the skin and touching various nervs in the body. In doing so it creates a sensation of relaxation and relieves the patient of aches and pains in the body (Walid). Just recently, acupuncturists have experimented with using this method to treat drug addicts with symptoms of withdraw, irritability, mood swings, and muscle tension. Some patients have done better with using acupuncture as a treatment, while others have struggled with recovering from their addiction with the use of acupuncture. One person who still hopes and realizes that with a little more research acupuncture can cure anything is Dr. Wayne Stephens. An advocate for acupuncture, he believes that with enough research and the right tools acupuncture could be just as effective as any other traditional medicine including rehab (Stephens). His opinion is just like many others who believe that acupuncture is a real treatment that works with any type of physical or emotional condition. Acupuncture is said to have a direct affect on symptoms of stress, withdrawal, depression, and anxiety not only in relation to addiction but also in an everyday manner (Walid). Contrary to that belief many neurologist believe that acupuncture may help with anxiety and depression but will not work with addiction. Many experiments have been conducted and many neurologists have concluded that it may work for some people that are addicted but definitely not all. Most conclusions end up saying that

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there isnt enough evidence to be absolutely sure that it works as a method in general. Dr. M Hovell came to an ultimate conclusion after testing and has closed the case concerning acupuncture treating cocaine addicts, and has said that with cocaine acupuncture cannot help the effects it has on the physical body of the patient or the mental health (Hovell). Although there has been a lot of discrepancy on whether acupuncture works for treating addicts, many acupuncturists and neurologists are missing one key element and thats the mental and physical state of the patient before the treatment is started. Addicts can undergo a lot of transformations from when they began to use the drug. If the patient is better prepared and ready to undergo treatment, results from experiments will be more accurate allowing both acupuncturists and neurologists to come to a conclusion on this alternative method. The first part of preparation begins with realizing that the patient has a lot of pressure on them before treatment is started. Pressure by loved ones and children to get better and be the person they once were before. The most common reason why they are so pressured to break the additction is because of the change in their physical appearance from when they first started using the drug. Being an addict may cause some to lose weight, wrinkle faster, decrease appetite, increase heart rate, and even in severe cases loss of vision (Signs). This affects the way patients view the clothing they are in. A persons physical appearance affects their attitude on a daily bases. If they come to treatment without bathing and have on torn clothing, they might feel intimidated by someone who is wearing a white lab coat with a clipboard ready to record everything they do and how they react to needles used in treatment. By this time the patient has already taken a negative attitude toward acupuncture because of the social class difference established by the clothes they wear. If you dont look your best you wont feel your best is a saying that holds truth to it. Clothes affect many outlooks on life. While some feel just fine by

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owning sweat pants and t-shirts, others may feel that they do not perform as well in those types of clothes compared to when they are in a suit and tie. As a result many people publish articles encouraging people to accept and be happy with who they are, no matter what kind of clothing they have on. Such as Jacqueline Fairbrass article encouraging men, women, boys, and girls to look in the mirror and realize that they are beautiful (Fairbrass). Most people do have that one thing they love to wear or put on if they want to feel pretty, successful, or even sophisticated. It is important to make sure the patient views acupuncture on the level as a traditional method of drug rehabilitation even if it requires providing them with appropriate clothing. Clothes arent the only thing that would affect ones outlook on acupuncture. Their body health is also a factor to keep in mind. Depending on what drug they have used and how long they have been addicted to it has a lot to determine their physical condition. Some may have loss a significant amount of weight, darkening lips; have bags under the eyes, maybe trouble breathing, and shaking limbs (Signs). In this condition they should probably go to a health clinic to make sure they can actually with stand any kind of treatment, not just acupuncture. The body plays a very important role in treatment. Maybe even a bigger role than most doctors realize. Diet, exercise, vitamins, and whatever else that is put into the body effects its performance. During treatment if the patients body is just not fit for the test then expecting an accurate result is quite silly. If a person does not feel healthy and up to par going into the treatment how can acupuncturists and neurologists expect them to be positive while they are going through the process. This also goes hand in hand with the attitude of the patient. Attitudes and emotions have a huge influence on whether the treatment given works. It is proven that having a bad attitude doesnt just affect what happens to their personal lives, but it can shorten their lifespan, harm others, and create a negative atmosphere. Consider the placebo

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effect in terms of blood pressure. If you look it up a random test you may be able to see that the person taking the actual medicine with the same attitude as the person that thinks they are taking medicine, but are really taking a placebo, may have the same results. This is because the mind has a lot to do with motivation, reward, consequence, and goal setting, but a negative attitude can produce negative results (Rich). Many people use the phrase mind over matter, this is because many decisions that are made by people who believe that the mind can push you to do anything. However a mind isnt just there to help you achieve goals, its also there to help you organize and sort out thoughts. Drug addicts may have a hard time sorting out their thoughts properly when they arent under the influence. A drug addict deals with a tremendous amount of stress, pressure, and responsibility. Most of this can come from a family member that wants them to stop, a loved one that they might have a child with, or a job that they are struggling to keep since most of their time is consumed with planning how they are going to get their next high. The amount of pressure put on them to get better can be very difficult to handle. This should be taken into account before, during, and after the treatment. Both acupuncturists and neurologists need to make it known that they arent just a part of an experiment, but that they are here to use a different method that will benefit the patient in the long run. In both conclusions by the acupuncturists and neurologists they refer to patients as subjects and do not discuss the ways in which they catered to the patient. A thorough test and experiment is appreciated but these addicts are human beings and need to be treated as if they were at a traditional clinic receiving rehab or any other form of help that would help them achieve their goal to be drug free. To feel a part of an experiment isnt the ideal condition for someone that is making a conscience decision to get better. Not to mention the feeling of being in a testing environment instead of a nurturing one. People who are facing

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the consequences of addiction not only need a nurturing environment, but also an environment with respect, structure, and guidance. Addiction of various substances are widespread, therefore, strict yet positive treatments should be in place to fit the unique needs of the individuals. As a result, this will produce stronger and more accurate results to answer the question: Is acupuncture a better alternative treatment for drug addicts?

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Work Cited

Addiction." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, Web. 26 Oct. 2012. "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. Drugs, Rehabs. "Drug Rehab Cocaine Drug Rehabilitation Drug Addiction Treatment Center Addiction Rehab." Drug Rehab Cocaine Drug Rehabilitation Drug Addiction Treatment Center Addiction Rehab. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. Fairbrass, Jacqueline. "Looking Good-Feeling Great-Being Beautiful." Looking Good-Feeling GreatBeing Beautiful. Web. 26 Oct. 2012. <http://www.venturestreet.com/articles/Looking-GoodFeeling-Great-Being-Beautiful-470/#.UJmrysXR5Xs> Hovell M. "Efficacy Of Acupuncture For Treating Cocaine Addiction: A Review Paper." Journal Of Addictive Diseases 24.4 (2005): 115-132. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. Rich, Simona. "Negative Attitude: Causes, Consequences And Cures." Personal Development Coach RSS.Web. 26 Oct. 2012. <http://www.personal-development-coach.net/negative-attitude.html> "Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use." Drug Use Signs / Symptoms. Narconon International, Web. 26 Oct. 2012. Stephens, Wayne, . "Trigger point therapy and Acupuncture." The Wellness Tree., May 13, 2011. Web. 16 Oct 2012. Walid. "Acupuncture Benefits." Acupuncture Benefits., 5 Mar. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. <http://acupuncture-benefits.net/>.

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