Alternative Therapies

Shiatsu and full body acupuncture is delivered on a Monday during the Recovery group (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm). Each pre-booked session lasts approximately 45 minutes and is delivered by Sue a fully qualified acupuncture/shiatsu practitioner.

Sue’s sessions provide total body relaxation and help to relieve built up stress and anxiety. This intervention is delivered from the project in a pleasant and calm atmosphere. Evidence suggests that this intervention improves sleep patterns and relaxation and re-balances energies as well as clearing meridians in the body. The intervention supports and works well with all substances misuse and helps to reinforce positive change.

Auricular acupuncture is delivered at the project by Stuart. Sessions can be pre-arranged or delivered on an adhoc basis to an individual or a group. This intervention lasts approximately 40 minutes and involves the insertion of 10 needles, 5 in each ear. The points the needles work on are the spirit gate, heart, liver, kidney and lung.

Once more evidence suggests that it improves relaxation, sleep, anxiety levels and it can help a client feel more balanced without the use of substances. It works equally well for stimulant, opiate users and alcohol. Stuart is also able to place magnetic beads on acupuncture points within the ear to maintain a lasting effect.

Alternative therapies have an accumulative effect and have shown that if experienced regularly they become more effective for an individual. Currently there is a wide range of Chinese medicines being used within substance misuse to address both cravings and physical health problems such as Hep C.