Addiction - What It Is, and What You Can Do

Today's #TCMTuesday blog is about something that affects many of us in one form or another - Addiction. 

Addiction is a disease that can be devastating, not only to oneself but also to the people who care about us.  It is possible to be addicted to virtually anything, whether it be drugs and alcohol, or food, or shopping.  There are even those with unusual addictions, such as eating cigarrette ashes or other non-foods (called "pica"), or even things like tanning, and plastic surgery.  Addiction can be fueled by those that have compulsive disorders, like the pica and shopping mentioned above, and these disorders further complicate the nature of the addiction.

According to the American Society for Addiction Medicine, addiction is defined as "primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations."  In Western Medicine, addiction is classified with other diseases such as cancer and heart disease as a condition that causes long term psychological, physiological and sociological damage.  In English, this means that addiction is caused a very complicated mix of factors that you may or may not be able to control; however, the addiction itself CAN be treated successfully, with the guidance of a physician and your dedication to taking care of yourself.

Many TCM practitioners offer treatments for addiction recovery.  In fact, there is an organization called the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, or NADA, which has created recommended treatment protocols for addiction (and also for conditions such as PTSD).  These protocols use Auricular Acupuncture, also known as Ear Acupuncture, to help mitigate the effects of chemical addictions as well as treat the aftermath of the stresses that are put on the body during the process of addiction treatment.

The NADA protocol is not the only tool in our arsenal, but it is a wonderful way that we can work with attending physicians in the addiction treatment process, as many recognize it as a potent adjunctive therapy. All acupuncture treatments depend on the signs and symptoms present at the time, and acupuncture, along with herbal therapies, nutritional counseling, and recommendations for exercise such as tai chi, can be fantastic tools in the fight against addiction. 

The key is taking control of your health, and yourself.  Learning how to navigate the pitfalls of addictive behavior is a life-long process for the addict, just as living a healthy lifestyle is a life-long process for any of us seeking to get the most out of our bodies, and our lives.

I must note that if you or someone you care about are facing an addiction, seek help from a qualified specialist who can guide your treatment process.  Talking with someone about an addiction is the first step to treatment - admitting there is a problem.  Rest assured that you are not alone in your addiction, which means that you are also not alone in your efforts to overcome it.  There are local resources here in Tampa as well as in your community; they are here for anyone with an addiction problem and are ready and equipped to help you begin the process of untangling your life from your addiction.

If you have questions, contact me.  As always, I'm here to help.

--Marissa Byrum, AP, DOM, Dipl. Ac., is an associate at Ideal Balance Center for Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in Temple Terrace, FL.