Abstract
The authors randomly assigned 60 subjects entering methadone maintenance treatment to receive “specific” or “nonspecific” (placebo) auricular acupuncture; patients were followed for 6 months. The two groups did not differ in acupuncture attendance, self‐reported withdrawal symptoms, or drug use, by self‐report or urinalysis. Their reports of heroin and cocaine cravings differed in a direction opposite to expectation, with greater cravings in the specific than the nonspecific group. The combined acupuncture groups had fewer cocaine‐positive urine results than a no‐acupuncture historical comparison group over the 6 months. Results are discussed in relation to recruitment for such studies, selection of an appropriate acupuncture placebo, and the need to control for potentially confounding variables in future studies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
