ACUDETOX PRESENTATION

SYMPATHETIC POINT: balances the automatic nervous system, inducing a shift from fight-
or-flight to rest-and-digest – this point has a strong analgesic and relaxant effect as well as
blood vessel dilation capabilities

SHEN MEN POINT: the most ethereal point of the protocol (spirit gate), is related to the
spirit and energy of the heart in Chinese Medical terms, and helps to reduce anxiety-related
symptoms, including insomnia, and supports the process of going within to heal

KIDNEY POINT: strengthens the role of the kidneys in their ability to filter blood to remove
waste, and works to diminish the fear often present with substance misuse, to strengthen
resolve and will-power, and creating a feeling of renewal by tapping into “source energy”
and essence (jing)

LIVER POINT: assists the metabolic functions of the liver and creates more flow in all
systems to dissipate anger and aggression, and creates a deep sense of calm

LUNG POINT: regulates respiration, body temperature and has the effect of reducing apathy
to inspire more movement towards wellness, boosts immune system function (first line of
defense), and supports the grieving and letting go processes

OVERALL EFFECT: an inner sense of quiet and peacefulness

CONTRAINDICATIONS: patients who take blood thinners, have bleeding disorders, have a
pacemaker, or who are pregnant may not be candidates for this treatment
EAR SEEDS: can also be used in place of or in addition to needles

SHARE: experience in MAT clinic in downtown Portland, OR – chaos to calm

A BRIEF YET IMPORTANT HISTORY

Referenced from: Ward Vander Wall Churchill - The COINTELPRO Papers: documents from
the FBI's secret wars against dissent. 2002. p. 309.

Lincoln Detox was a controversial drug detoxification clinic in Lincoln Hospital. It was
founded in 1970 in the South Bronx, primarily by the Black Panther Party. The clinic
offered holistic drug rehabilitation, employing acupuncture, Marxist education classes and
community service.

In the courses, participants learned about their addiction, exploring how their addiction
harmed themselves, their family and their community. Administrators felt the conviction
that drug addiction in their communities was "a scheme concocted by a white government
to oppress blacks" and that revolutionary action in the form of communities taking care of
themselves was the best cure. Essentially medicine for the people by the people. The ugly
truth is that they were right. When the FBI’s secret war against dissent, code name,
COINTELPRO was exposed, it was revealed that this was indeed the case.

Members of the Balk Panther Party discovered that, in China, there was a low-intervention
method, utilizing acupuncture in the ear to combat addiction and they traveled to China to
train in the protocols, bringing their knowledge back to Lincoln Detox. The clinic was
eventually forced to shut down, not known at the time, yet now understand as a
consequence that is was a direct insult to the mission of COINTELPRO.

ACUDETOX: Referenced from - https://life-nutrition.co.za/index.php/acudetox/

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in Asia, with the aim of treating
disease and harmonizing the bodies systems. That practice is based on the theory that
where there is a blockage in the flow of life energy (“qi) there is dis-ease. By removing
these blockages, acupuncture helps to restore the natural, healthy energy flow of the body.

Acupuncture and has long been a recognized complementary medical practice, used to treat
a wide range of ailments including, yet not limited to acute and chronic pain, insomnia, and
mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Acudetox, a form of auricular acupuncture, was first brough to the US in the 1970’s, is a
treatment option shown to aid in the recovery process for a variety of addictions. It focuses
primarily on five distinct points of the ear. AcuDetox is a cost-effective form of acupuncture
because it is concentrated in the ear versus a full-body treatment. Like reflexology,
AcuDetox addresses issues in various areas of the body using the ears as entry to those
systems. AcuDetox is a National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol.
BENEFITS

Through its natural, holistic approach, recovery centers can apply its supportive services to
improve treatment outcomes such as:

 Reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs

 Reduce chemical dependency on substances
 Minimize withdrawal symptoms
 Ease anxiety, agitation and fear
 Increase calmness and concentration
 Improve sleep

Acudetox also independently treats trauma, stress, anxiety, insomnia, panic, PTSD, ADHD,
hyperactivity, fear, excess perspiration, and depression as well as when identified as co-
occurring conditions associated with addictive behavior.

Acudetox is non-addictive and low-barrier in that it can be accessible to all most everyone.

EFFECTIVENESS

AcuDetox is a research based adjunct therapy that is clinically effective, safe, substance-
free, and inexpensive. Acudetox can be used in every step of the recovery process. It has
shown to reduce craving and decrease overall withdrawal symptoms, providing symptom
relief through the initial withdrawal management phase of recovery, during active recovery,
and in long-term recovery management.

When used in combination with counseling, medical support, and 12-step meetings, it can
be increasingly beneficial in helping clients recover long-term from substance abuse.
Acudetox produces deep feelings of calm and peacefulness that are often reported shortly
after treatment begins, as the stimulation of ear acupuncture points indicates a systemic
release of endorphins. Acudetox is used successfully in both clinical settings as well as in
disaster relief settings. It is suitable for use in both individuals and groups, thus making it
versatile when taking a tailored approach to treat ongoing addictions.

PROCESS

This five-point acupuncture treatment correlates with three major organs: lungs, liver, and
kidneys. Often, these organs have been found to be affected by stress, trauma and ongoing
substance use. The other two additional points of placement are for the sympathetic
nervous system and sleep. Five small, sterilized disposable needles are gently placed into
specific sites on each ear. After the placement occurs, sitting quietly for thirty minutes for
the treatment has been shown to maximize the positive effects. A trained acupuncturist or
auricular technician preforms this treatment protocol.
RESOURCES: https://acudetox.com/ + https://pocacoop.com/ears/
NOTE: note the difference between NADA and POCA (why POCA started ear trainings)
NIH ARTICLE SUMMARY – reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5153313/

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)-standardized 3- to 5-

point ear acupuncture protocol, born of a community-minded response to turbulent
times not unlike today, has evolved into the most widely implemented acupuncture-
assisted protocol, not only for substance abuse, but also for broad behavioral health
applications.

In this particular study, the authors recommend that, going forward research continues to
explore the comparison of the NADA protocol added to accepted treatments to those
treatments alone, recognizing that it is not a stand-alone procedure but a psychosocial
intervention that affects the whole person and can augment outcomes from other
treatment modalities.

Other researchers suggests that the NADA protocol seemed to hold some potential as an
additional component of substance abuse management due to its lack of adverse
effects, simple administration, and acceptability to patients.

{PAUSE: above statement is really important -> lack of adverse effects, simplicity,
acceptability + and adding accessibility and low cost -> this combination of attributes is
rare in the medical field}

The NADA protocol is also not just the insertion of five ear needles. The NADA
protocol is a style of engaging in which the environment and intention of the
practitioner play significant roles in the outcome of the treatment. NADA treatments
are usually done in a group setting, creating an environment that is reassuring and
validating. NADA practitioners sit with patients as supportive witnesses. Patients learn
they can sit quietly. The NADA protocol is a nonverbal patient-centered intervention that
facilitates participation in individual and group treatment sessions.

UPCOMING AURICULAR TRAINING:

POCA: https://pocacoop.com/upcoming-auricular-acu-tech-training-dates/

Registration is sliding scale from $280 to $380 and includes online and in-person training.
Payment can be made with credit card, check or cash. If your employer is paying for your
attendance, we can invoice them. A current POCA membership is required and is a separate
$50 fee paid directly to POCA.

NADA: https://acudetox.com/training/upcoming-training/

Tuition is 500.00 which includes all course materials, training and membership fees.
Incorporating the Acu-Detox skills into your skill base supports your professional work.