Acupuncture a popular treatment for addictions in P.E.I.

Acupuncture is helping 1,000 Islanders a year with addictions at the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert, and staff say the acupuncture room is one of the most popular with patients.

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The traditional Chinese medicine involves inserting thin needles into specific areas of the body, and is used to successfully treat everything from opiate addiction to smoking cessation.

We have a lot ofrepeat customers. Shaun Younker

"Most days this room would be full so our 10 beds, sometimes even 12," said Shaun Younker, a counsellor at the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert, P.E.I., motioning to a room lined with big, comfy-looking reclining chairs.

Out-patients also come to the centre for acupuncture, so sometimes as many as 20 people a day receive treatment.

Staff are trained through NADA, the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association. The addictions facility has been providing the service since 2001, and have no plans to stop.

Helps with anxiety, sleep

"I think it was appealing to Health PEI because it helped with levels of anxiety and sleep which tends to be one of the issues with addiction itself," said Leslie Warren, administrator of addiction services for Health PEI. She notes acupuncture also helps with withdrawal symptoms.

Patients report feeling relaxed after the procedure, Younker said, which involves inserting five sterile needles into a patient's ear.

The acupuncture lasts 30 to 40 minutes, and is offered free to those battling addictions.

"Just be more open-minded in our service, I think it's wonderful," said Younker."We have a lot of repeat customers."

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