Staying
		Stopped

Staying Stopped is a unique program, using auricular acupuncture, to not only help you to stop smoking and/or withdraw from other addictive substances but assist you in staying stopped.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The use of auricular acupuncture in this context was pioneered by Dr Michael Smith at the Lincoln Memorial Hospital in the Bronx, New York – an inner city facility where hundreds of patients are treated daily. It has been used in this context in many treatment settings all over the USA and Europe.

There are references in ancient Chinese texts to the use of auricular (ear) acupuncture as early as 300 BC where it was noted ‘Inspect the auricle to diagnose the Kidneys’. Using auricular acupuncture as a means of treatment in addiction was also applied around the same time but was not recorded until the Tsin Dynasty.

Auricular acupuncture is based on the theory that the ear can be likened to an inverted fetus in the uterus i.e. with its head pointing downwards. All parts of the entire body are therefore represented somewhere on the ear.




It is interesting to note that the classic Chinese Acupuncture points on the ears are in a similar position to the various anatomical areas of the fetus. Altogether, there are over 200 points on the ear, 70 of which are in common usage. However, you will be relieved to hear that in the Staying Stopped program, only 5 points on each ear are used!

Ear acupuncture is used with great success when treating the problems of substance mis-use, both in crisis and long term rehabilitation.

Points used:
• Sympathetic – this point acts on the autonomic nervous system, regulating the muscles of the internal organs
• Shen Men – alleviates anxiety and controls nervousness
• Kidney – helps with detoxification and strengthens the will
• Liver – alleviates toxicity in the blood and stabilizes impulsive behaviour and mood swings
• Lungs – strengthens the immune system and promotes physical balance

STAYING STOPPED is a specific program devised by a group of acupuncturists in the UK to assist people to stop smoking or to manage their withdrawal from other addictive substances such as marijuana and alcohol. These programs have been running for the past ten years in many parts of the UK with great success. The program runs over a period of 5 days during which participants attend the clinic for approximately one and a half hours per day. There, in addition to receiving an acupuncture treatment, they are able to discuss issues which may arise and they will be given a herbal infusion which will accelerate the detoxification process. The acupuncturist will suggest ways to ease the transition from dependency to non-dependency and provide useful guidelines to enable each individual to own and sustain the choice they are making. After the initial 5 day period, there is a follow up session one week later.

The program has three main aims:

Detoxification
• the needles address the body by supporting it through the actual withdrawal from dependence on nicotine
• the needles help to clear the mind and support your choice to stay stopped

Support
• the acupuncturist will offer advice on how to deal with cravings and the triggers that set off the desire to smoke in the first place
• group support offered by the program is beneficial in helping sustain your decision to quit

Maintenance
• top up treatments are available following the program should you feel the need
• should you have any other health issues, the practitioner is a qualified and experienced acupuncturist who will be only too willing to discuss other matters that may concern you