Education

I am happy to present information about acudetox and do so in a variety of settings. These include schools, City/County Organizations, hospitals or mental health/ substance abuse treatment programs, local conferences, state conferences, national and international conferences.

With co-trainers, I participate in 5-7 trainings per year. I also train people who have been approved by POCA to become Registered Trainers.

 

Why do we need non-Acupuncture “Acudetox Specialists” or ADSs or AATs?

The primary purpose of non-acupuncturist ADS/AAT is to expand the access of this simple but effective treatment to all who are suffering from addictions, stress or trauma and allow programs to incorporate acupuncture in the form of the NADA protocol at minimal cost, when and where it is needed. There are many behavioral health and addiction treatment programs that are publicly funded, and most cannot afford to hire an acupuncturist to treat their patients. States that have changed laws to expand the scope of practice for this standardized 5-point ear acupuncture protocol have seen treatment providers who are already hired by the program, be able to add this treatment tool to their toolbox and significantly increase the access to this treatment without increasing the costs. This protocol is not a “stand-alone” procedure, and acupuncturists are not generally trained as addictions or mental health counselors. In light of our current opiate epidemic and the increase in drug overdoses and suicides, the providers who are the most logical to use this protocol in the most beneficial manner are those trained addiction, mental health and behavioral health specialists who can easily learn to do this very simple procedure and perform it consistently in a safe manner. Acupuncture is an adjunctive process to addictions and behavioral health counseling and many private programs can afford to hire full body acupuncturists and this can be of great benefit to the patient. However, many programs are in rural areas with no access to acupuncturists or don’t have the funds to hire them. In Colorado our law allows the training any professional individual in the behavioral health care field, including, but not limited to LCSWs, LACs, LPCs, CACIIIs, licensed psychologists, nurses, physicians, acupuncturists and peer coaches, to utilize the NADA protocol in their respective practices without supervision, after completing the NADA or equivalent training (POCA). This is a safe procedure with minimal side effects. The training is very thorough, and providers have demonstrated knowledge and competence to continue to use this procedure safely and effectively without ongoing supervision. The passage of laws in Colorado law to increase the scope of practice have significantly expanded the availability of this treatment statewide. Exposure to the NADA protocol has also increased the interest in acupuncture in general, with more people interested in pursuing full body acupuncture with a licensed acupuncturist. This creates a win for all parties involved patients and providers.

Libby Stuyt, MD

December 2024