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.
Avants
S K
SK
Substance Abuse Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
Margolin
A
A
Holford
T R
TR
Kosten
T R
TR
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