Acupuncture, especially auricular (ear) acupuncture, is often used to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction. The Gateway Clinic in London is a 'drop in' clinic for drug addicts taking hard drugs such as heroine and cocaine. Ear acupuncture is used as one of their main treatments for the withdrawal symptoms of these drugs.

The use of acupuncture for drug withdrawal was first noted in the 1950's by a surgeon who was using ear acupuncture for pain relief following surgery. He noticed that patients who had been taking opiate drugs suffered less from the withdrawal symptoms when he used ear points.

There is now a protocol called 'NADA' which was developed in New York for the primary use of treating drug withdrawal symptoms. For serious drug addiction, treatment maybe necessary 2-3 times daily to begin with. In the clinic in London, drug addicts go and have treatment whenever they feel the need.

Five tiny needles are placed in each ear and left for 45 minutes. This is a good time to relax, meditate or think about changes that need to be made.