The use of body acupuncture for treatment of alcohol dependence withdrawal syndrome: a controlled study

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the treatment efficacy of body acupuncture with conventional medical detoxification for subjects with alcohol dependence and withdrawal syndrome. 118 study subjects were randomly assigned to an acupuncture treatment group (n=50) and a control group treated by standard medical detoxification (n=68). Subjects were assessed by various criteria before, during, and six months after treatment. When compared to the control group, there were significantly better results in the acupuncture group: decrease in desire for alcohol use (P<0.001), decrease in depressive symptoms (P<0.001), increase in participation in psychotherapeutic programs (P<0.001), reduction of tremor (P<0.001), and higher remission rate at six months post treatment (P<0.001). Additionally, the dropout rate for the control group was significantly higher (P<0.001). Acupuncture is useful for treatment of alcohol dependence and withdrawal symptoms, with the advantage of not causing the side effects often associated with medical detoxification.