Chinese Medicine
Alcohol and drug dependence
Want to drink less, or stop using a drug? Dependence is a medical condition, not a weakness, and it can be treated. Dr. Pan talks it through with you, without judgment, then makes a plan.
Please bring a list of the medicines, supplements and herbs you take now. It helps to be honest about how much and how often you drink or use.
How it is treated
- Medicines that help with cravings and withdrawal, through doctors who specialize in it.
- Counseling, and support groups such as AA or SMART Recovery.
- A referral to a treatment program, if you need more support.
- Help with what often comes with it: sleep, low mood, worry, pain.
- Acupuncture, alongside standard treatment: very thin needles. Ear acupuncture has long been used in treatment programs. It eases cravings, calms worry and helps sleep.
- Chinese herbs, prescribed for your pattern, to calm the mind, help sleep and settle the stomach. They are checked against the medicines you already take.
How many visits
Usually once a week at first. Six to eight visits make a course; then you and Dr. Pan look at how much better you are: less drinking or use, fewer cravings, better sleep. A slip does not mean starting over.
Common questions
Can acupuncture help me stop drinking?
Yes. Acupuncture eases cravings, worry and poor sleep, and works best together with medicine, counseling and support. Keep taking your medicine as prescribed; never stop it on your own.
Do I have to stop completely?
For some people, drinking less is a good first goal; for others, stopping is safer. Dr. Pan will go over it with you.
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Seen in King of Prussia
Patients travel from King of Prussia, Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Radnor, Conshohocken, Malvern, Phoenixville, Devon and Berwyn.