Auricular acupuncture is being used to treat
addicts, from alcohol to heroin abuse, and
help kick their habit by getting them to
relax and calm themselves.
The Raindrops community house, in Royce Road, Spalding, provides a base for Larraine Baillie from Addaction – the leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug and alcohol treatment.
She is offering drop-in sessions on Thursdays for people who have a drug dependency.
During these sessions they can find out more about the acupuncture treatments, which must be pre-booked and are given on Tuesdays.
Larraine, an outreach worker for Addaction, said: "Auricular acupuncture is a recognised drug treatment and is a completely free service.
"It can provide a level of support to clients waiting to be referred to other forms of drug treatment, and continues to be of benefit throughout the treatment process."
Auricular acupuncture stimulates the nerves in the skin and muscles.
The treatment involves putting five small needles in each ear. The points where the needles are inserted relate to areas in the body where the channels of energy have been disrupted by the substance addiction, such as the kidneys, liver and lungs.
People are then left to relax for 40 minutes, and after the needles are removed, they are offered refreshment to promote healthy eating and are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to help the detoxification process.
Larraine said: "Initially clients are sceptical about the treatment, but once a level of trust is built up, they come regularly to receive the treatment.
"Drug users have also said that after having the treatment, they do not need to use as much or as often – which is a very positive sign.
"Any individual who contacts me should be reassured that it is confidential service."
The service is offered through the Lincolnshire Community Drug Response Team.
The Thursday drop-in sessions run from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Both the drop-ins and the auricular acupuncture sessions will run from October 20.
The scheme has been welcomed by police and crime-fighting groups.
The Community Drug Response Team was set up by the South Holland Crime and Disorder Partnership and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
Addaction at work
ADDACTION is a leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug and alcohol treatment.
Founded in 1967, the charity has more than 70 services across the UK, from Glasgow to Penzance.
The people the charity works with come from all backgrounds and are of all ages.
Some have long-term addiction and dependency problems.
Addaction workers assess their needs and provide a programme to help them work towards abstinence.
The Raindrops community house, in Royce Road, Spalding, provides a base for Larraine Baillie from Addaction – the leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug and alcohol treatment.
She is offering drop-in sessions on Thursdays for people who have a drug dependency.
During these sessions they can find out more about the acupuncture treatments, which must be pre-booked and are given on Tuesdays.
Larraine, an outreach worker for Addaction, said: "Auricular acupuncture is a recognised drug treatment and is a completely free service.
"It can provide a level of support to clients waiting to be referred to other forms of drug treatment, and continues to be of benefit throughout the treatment process."
Auricular acupuncture stimulates the nerves in the skin and muscles.
The treatment involves putting five small needles in each ear. The points where the needles are inserted relate to areas in the body where the channels of energy have been disrupted by the substance addiction, such as the kidneys, liver and lungs.
People are then left to relax for 40 minutes, and after the needles are removed, they are offered refreshment to promote healthy eating and are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to help the detoxification process.
Larraine said: "Initially clients are sceptical about the treatment, but once a level of trust is built up, they come regularly to receive the treatment.
"Drug users have also said that after having the treatment, they do not need to use as much or as often – which is a very positive sign.
"Any individual who contacts me should be reassured that it is confidential service."
The service is offered through the Lincolnshire Community Drug Response Team.
The Thursday drop-in sessions run from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Both the drop-ins and the auricular acupuncture sessions will run from October 20.
The scheme has been welcomed by police and crime-fighting groups.
The Community Drug Response Team was set up by the South Holland Crime and Disorder Partnership and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
Addaction at work
ADDACTION is a leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug and alcohol treatment.
Founded in 1967, the charity has more than 70 services across the UK, from Glasgow to Penzance.
The people the charity works with come from all backgrounds and are of all ages.
Some have long-term addiction and dependency problems.
Addaction workers assess their needs and provide a programme to help them work towards abstinence.
