title: Acupuncture treatment for women with concurrent substance use and anxiety/depression: an effective alternative therapy?
abstract: This exploratory study evaluated the benefits of adding auricular acupuncture to a 21-day outpatient structured psychoeducational treatment program for women with concurrent substance use problems, anxiety, and depression. Women receiving acupuncture (n = 185) reported having reduced physiological cravings for substances, felt significantly less depressed, less anxious, and were better able to reflect on and resolve difficulties than women in the control group (n = 101). It was found that auricular acupuncture, as an adjunct therapy to a comprehensive psychoeducational treatment program for women with addictions, shows promise in being an effective, more viable treatment alternative to anxiolytics.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Christine_Courbasson@camh.net
authors.forename: Christine M A
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Courbasson
authors.forename: Alicia Araujo
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Sorkin
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dullerud
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Wyk
mesh_terms: D020831:Acupuncture, Ear; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010555:Personality Inventory; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult