The American Cancer Society does not recognize acupuncture as a proven means to quit smoking and drinking. However, it may be used to alleviate secondary symptoms of withdrawal such as headaches and nausea. Acupuncture is effective in treating both of these symptoms in clinical trials, according to the American Cancer Society.
Scientific Evidence
Scientific evidence does not support the use of acupuncture for smoking cessation or quitting drinking. In double-blind clinical trials, a placebo treatment had the same rate of success as bona fide acupuncture treatment. Cocaine addiction was also covered in the study. However, there is evidence to suggest that common withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea can be treated with acupuncture. You may consider acupuncture as a treatment for secondary symptoms, or a little extra help as part of a broader cessation program.
Purported Benefits
Acupuncture practitioners do not claim that the treatment is a magic bullet that magically cures you of all desire to smoke or drink. Practitioners do, however, claim that the treatment alters your relationship to substances. TheSpiritualHealth.com explicitly states that the treatment is psychological. Smokers will find that cigarettes now taste unpleasant and drinkers will no longer enjoy the taste of alcohol. This, if true, will provide you with an advantage in conquering your addictions.
Detoxifying
Whether you are quitting smoking or quitting drinking, chances are that you want to clean out your body. Drinking and smoking can leave toxins in your body for years. Measuring the benefits of acupuncture as detoxification is hard to do. However, acupuncture does act as a natural diuretic, allowing you to urinate out impurities that have accumulated in your body faster. This is one reason why the practice is widespread among drug rehab centers, according to "Detox Diet Secrets" author Sandra Kim Leong.
Complications
Acupuncture is a safe treatment, with very few complications when performed by a qualified professional. In the United States, acupuncturists must use sterile, single-use needles. According to the American Cancer Society, those taking anticoagulants might experience some bleeding. Electroacupuncture should be avoided by those with pacemakers and other electrical health devices. Some complications associated with acupuncture include localized bruising, dizziness, convulsions, internal bleeding, dermatitis and nerve damage. The few fatalities have resulted from punctured lungs. This, however, is not a concern for those detoxing, as the pins are placed in the ear.
