A randomized controlled trial of auricular acupuncture for cocaine dependence.
BACKGROUND
Partly because of a lack of a conventional, effective treatment for cocaine addiction, auricular acupuncture is used to treat this disorder in numerous drug treatment facilities across the country for both primary cocaine-dependent and opiate-dependent populations.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture for the treatment of cocaine addiction.


METHODS
Eighty-two cocaine-dependent, methadone-maintained patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: auricular acupuncture, a needle-insertion control condition, or a no-needle relaxation control. Treatment sessions were provided 5 times weekly for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was cocaine use assessed by 3-times-weekly urine toxicology screens.


RESULTS
Longitudinal analysis of the urine data for the intent-to-treat sample showed that patients assigned to acupuncture were significantly more likely to provide cocaine-negative urine samples relative to both the relaxation control (odds ratio, 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-8.72; P =. 01) and the needle-insertion control (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-5.75; P =.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from the current study suggest that acupuncture shows promise for the treatment of cocaine dependence. Further investigation of this treatment modality appears to be warranted.
Substance Abuse Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
S K
SK
Avants
A
A
Margolin
T R
TR
Holford
T R
TR
Kosten
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004431:Ear, External; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection
D008691:Methadone