NADA
Awaken the Spirit LLC DBA
Awaken The Spirit Wellness Center

Acupuncure & Psychotherapy 
for the Mind, Body, and Spirit

What’s All This About NADA?

Treating Addictions, Behavioral Health and Disaster using the NADA Protocol

In addition to being a licensed acupuncturist, I am a certified ADS, Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist through NADA, the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association. I was one of the first social workers to be licensed through the state of Maryland, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as an Auricular Detoxification Specialist. Utilizing this special license, I was able to offer addictions treatment, using the National Acupuncture Detoxification Protocol, combining both psychotherapy and acupuncture. The NADA protocol can be done in a group or individual setting. 

Today I can supervise other ADS’s in the state of Maryland who are not acupuncturists. I am a national Registered Trainer for NADA, training both acupuncture students at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and licensed mental health and substance abuse professionals wishing to use this protocol. NADA is now being used throughout the world as more than an addiction treatment. It is being successfully used in disaster and trauma work as an adjunct treatment to both first-responders and victims.
Treating Substance Use and Abuse Disorders with acupuncture is an effective means to treat addictions using the 5-needle NADA protocol. It is an adjunct to substance abuse treatment. Part of a substance abuse treatment program usually includes active participation in a 12-step program. I encourage utilizing both. Please inquire if you would like additional information about substance abuse treatment or information about the use of the NADA protocol. Clients are usually treated in a group setting, sitting up in chairs, fully clothed. Needles are inserted in the ears using the 5 needle NADA protocol Treatments typically last 30 minutes. Originally coined Acudetox because of its effectiveness treating people with substance abuse and addiction issues, (and those wanting to detox their bodies), today it is used in behavioral health settings throughout the world as well as in wellness communities. The NADA protocol is an effective way to help people facing day to day stress, anger, frustration, depression, fatigue, and other emotional and physical pain issues.

It has been used for disaster relief after such events as 911 and Hurricane Katrina and most recently on a local level from Hurricane Sandy. This protocol has been identified as being effective over a 30 -year history and is used in thousands of programs around the world. The protocol treats the whole person, mind-body-spirit and emotions, nonverbally, and elicits immediate effects. Inquire about receiving this treatment as a stand- alone treatment for stress reduction, overall balance or addiction.
The following information is an excerpt from the NADA website: http://www.acudetox.com/

What is the Mission of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)

NADA’s Mission Statement: The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), a not-for-profit training and advocacy organization, encourages community wellness through the use of a standardized auricular acupuncture protocol for behavioral health, including addictions, mental health, and disaster & emotional trauma. We work to improve access and effectiveness of care through promoting policies and practices which integrate NADA-style treatment with other Western behavioral health modalities.

How Does NADA Carry Out its Mission?

  1. Public education about acupuncture as a tool for recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, from trauma, and other behavioral health issues
  2. Training health care workers in use of the NADA protocol.
  3. Offering consultation to local organizations in setting up or adapting treatment sites.
  4. Offering consultation to healthcare advocates in promoting polices and legislation which increase client access to NADA-style treatment.
  5. Distributing NADA-approved reference material.
  6. Publishing Guidepoints, a newsletter reporting on current developments in the field.

What is the “NADA protocol”?

At five designated ear points in each auricle (outer ear), clinicians trained through NADA apply fine gauge, sterilized, one-time use stainless steel needles just under the skin, where they remain for up to an hour while the client (in most circumstances) relaxes quietly in a comfortable chair. Ordinarily, groups of clients sit together while undergoing the treatment. The procedure functions as an adjunct to a comprehensive treatment program offering the basic therapeutic elements of counseling, education, family involvement, mutual support group involvement, supportive health care of general nature. Clients in all types of treatment settings including inpatient, outpatient, incarcerated, shelters, harm reduction and street outreach can utilize this treatment. Among the benefits reported by clients and clinicians are improved program retention, a more optimistic and cooperative attitude toward the process of recovery, as well as reductions in cravings, anxiety, sleep disturbance and need for pharmaceuticals.


The NADA protocol is also known commonly referred to as: acudetox, acupuncture detoxification, five point ear acupuncture protocol, five point protocol, 5NP. “
Sheri DePetro, a Registered Trainer for the National Detoxification Association, offers training to acupuncturists and licensed substance abuse and licensed behavioral health practitioners . 

This special license is granted to NON-Acupuncturists in Maryland; the title is Auricular Detoxification Specialist and has a license granted under Maryland Law.   

Maryland Law https://health.maryland.gov/bacc/Documents/ads-regulation-1010.pdf allows non-acupuncturists working in "The clinical substance abuse program or professional setting where an individual performs auricular detoxification on patients with documented substance abuse concerns shall meet reasonable community standards".  

Please complete the form for additional information about becoming certified in the NADA protocol
 

Contact Us

Contact us today for more details on NADA!
410-747-9743
The Spirit of NADA creates a zone of peace within, so patients can begin to experience their own inner strengths.   ~ Michael Smith MD, Founder of NADA

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