With Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside at the heart of Canada’s opioid and addiction crisis, the neighbourhood has long been an epicentre of innovative, community-based treatment approaches. Home to thousands struggling with addiction, poverty, and the repercussions of homelessness, the DTES has seen a variety of harm reduction strategies. From fentanyl patches to pulse oximetry, new methods are constantly being trialed to combat addiction’s staggering effects. Surprisingly, a 2005 study explored a more unconventional adjunct therapy—acupuncture—to help reduce substance use and manage withdrawal symptoms in DTES’s vulnerable population. But can this ancient therapy bring relief to modern challenges?
Acupuncture as a Harm Reduction Tool
In this ground-breaking study, led by Dr. Patricia A. Janssen and her colleagues from the University of British Columbia and funded by the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, acupuncture treatments were offered to DTES residents over a three-month period. This project, operating from Vancouver Native Health Society and Salvation Army Harbour Light Complex, invited participants from one of Canada’s poorest urban populations to receive voluntary acupuncture sessions. Designed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct therapy, the study measured changes in drug use frequency and severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Between June and August of 1999, over 2,700 acupuncture treatments were administered to 261 clients in the DTES. The outcomes were promising, with participants reporting not only reduced substance use but also decreased intensity in withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, nausea, sweating, anxiety, and even feelings of suicidality.
The Science Behind Acupuncture for Addiction
Acupuncture has been utilized in addiction treatment facilities in North America since the 1970s, with a focus on alleviating withdrawal symptoms and stabilizing mood. The principles of acupuncture for addiction treatment are based on its effects on the nervous system. Through the use of specific acupoints, often in a protocol known as auricular acupuncture or ear acupuncture, this therapy can stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, which may alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms. While the precise biological mechanisms remain partially understood, many addiction specialists believe that acupuncture’s effect on the brain’s opioid receptors can mimic the natural response to pain, effectively reducing withdrawal cravings.
Studies have also shown that acupuncture can promote relaxation and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, conditions frequently coexisting with addiction. By reducing psychological and physiological discomforts, acupuncture provides an opportunity for individuals in recovery to stabilize their emotions and moods, making it easier to resist the urge to use substances as a coping mechanism.
Results of the Study
The outcomes of the Vancouver study underscored acupuncture’s potential in a supportive harm-reduction setting. Clients receiving treatment reported significant decreases in substance use frequency over four weeks, and regular participants also documented meaningful reductions in symptoms of withdrawal. In particular, participants showed improvements in:
- Physical Symptoms: Reduced muscle aches, nausea, and sweating were commonly reported, providing relief from the physical toll of substance withdrawal.
- Psychological Symptoms: Improvements in sleep, anxiety reduction, and alleviation of depressive symptoms offered mental health benefits crucial for resilience in the recovery journey.
Feedback from participants emphasized acupuncture’s impact on their daily lives. One client mentioned, “The longer I seek treatment, the more I’m benefiting from the results. I have much less anxiety and cravings for alcohol or other substances.” Another noted that acupuncture’s calming effect made “life much less stressful” and helped to “cope daily in this stressful life”.
At the Vancouver Native Health Society, which served a larger number of Indigenous and non-Caucasian participants, the integration of acupuncture was well-received. The study underscores how accessible, low-cost treatments that respect cultural and community contexts may be particularly valuable in areas like the DTES, where individuals may avoid traditional healthcare due to stigmatization or financial barriers.
Challenges in Maintaining Treatment Attendance
While initial results were encouraging, the study encountered high attrition rates—a common challenge in treatment programs for vulnerable populations. Although 261 clients participated, fewer than half returned for a second treatment, and only 39 attended sessions consistently for four or more weeks. The research team noted that drop-in schedules and competing commitments at detoxification facilities likely contributed to this low retention. The Salvation Army Harbour Light Complex, for instance, found that acupuncture sessions often conflicted with other mandatory program activities, limiting participants’ ability to attend regularly.
Moreover, the study relied on self-reported data, which can introduce bias. Without a control group or longer-term follow-up, it’s difficult to gauge the long-term efficacy of acupuncture for addiction or separate its effects from other support services participants may have been receiving simultaneously.
A Complementary Approach to Harm Reduction
Vancouver’s experience with acupuncture reflects a broader shift in public health approaches towards harm reduction and complementary therapies. Where traditional abstinence-only programs often fall short, acupuncture may help to create a “window of opportunity” for individuals to stabilize their symptoms and explore additional treatment options. However, the research emphasized that acupuncture should not be considered a standalone treatment. Instead, its greatest value lies in its role as an adjunctive therapy, supporting more comprehensive addiction treatment programs.
Acupuncture’s incorporation into DTES services represents a model where addiction treatment is viewed as a holistic, individualized journey, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This perspective has gained traction as the opioid crisis continues, prompting health authorities to consider every tool available for managing addiction’s complexities.
The Future of Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment
Although the 2005 study was limited in scope, the findings have lasting implications for addiction treatment, not only in the DTES but also across Canada. With addiction rates rising and overdose deaths becoming an ever-pressing public health crisis, the need for multi-modal treatment has never been more urgent. If acupuncture could help reduce cravings and stabilize emotions in DTES’s high-risk environment, it may offer similar benefits in other settings where individuals face addiction’s multifaceted challenges.
Current addiction treatment facilities and policymakers could look to acupuncture as part of a broader strategy, particularly in high-risk communities or regions where traditional treatment options may be limited. Additionally, combining acupuncture with counselling, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and peer support programs could provide a balanced treatment approach, addressing both the physical and psychological roots of addiction.
Can Ancient Practices Serve Modern Needs?
As Vancouver continues to confront its addiction crisis, acupuncture stands out as a valuable, if underutilized, treatment option for individuals in the Downtown Eastside. While it may not replace more intensive therapies, its role in harm reduction and symptom management has a potential as an adjunctive therapy. The study highlights acupuncture’s potential to complement other recovery strategies, offering relief from withdrawal symptoms and creating a bridge to long-term recovery.
For those struggling with addiction, relief can often seem out of reach, particularly in communities as strained as Vancouver’s DTES. Yet, the success of acupuncture in this context demonstrates that, even in the face of overwhelming challenges, alternative therapies have a place in modern addiction treatment. Whether acupuncture can play a larger role in Canada’s approach to addiction remains to be seen, but its impact in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is a compelling case for keeping an open mind—and an open heart—to every available solution.
DOWNTOWNEASTSIDE.ORG is a collective author account used by several DTES contributors to discuss key issues and events in the neighbourhood. Articles under this authorship reflect diverse perspectives from those directly connected to the community. If you’d like to reach a specific contributor, please contact us via email.
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