ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture combined with meditation is a service provided by Shelly Bobbins, RN, L.Ac, QME to our clients. The Acupuncture-Meditation group was developed specific for Cri-Help as an adjunct to the treatment program offered by our facility to assist clients in the post-acute withdrawal that many experience. The addition of this group during the difficult transition stage from detox to the rehabilitation portion of treatment can help ease this phase in the recovery process.

The type of Acupuncture provided is called auricular (ear) acupuncture specific to addiction. The acupuncture points utilized help to stimulate the neurotransmitters in the brain, such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. This in turn helps provide relief from the many symptoms clients face in early, as well as post acute withdrawal. It is the neurotransmitters that are biologically responsible for our well being, our ability to calm ourselves and feel pleasure. This type of Acupuncture helps to reduce physical and emotional withdrawal signs and symptoms. It is effective for all chemical dependence in that it helps decrease restlessness, muscle aches and pains, sweating, shakiness, insomnia, anxiety and depression. It reduces cravings and induces relaxation. It helps to harmonize the body bringing it back into balance.

The Acupuncture-Meditation group is offered three times a week for one hour and incorporates extensive meditation into every session. As the clients relax during the acupuncture session, music consisting of calming sounds of water, flutes and instrumentals are played. It is during this time for ½ hour-45 minutes that the clients are taught Eastern meditative techniques, developed specifically for the recovering population. The Acupuncture/ Meditation group takes place in a beautiful large round meditation room with plush carpeting and 20-foot high ceilings surrounded by 12 skylights.

Within the acupuncture services Cri-Help has opened its doors to a very unique training program for select interns from the Oriental medical college of Samra University. These interns have the opportunity to attend a 13-week internship at our facility where they are able to learn about the disease of addiction and the application of auricular acupuncture. They are trained, educated and supervised by Shelly Bobbins, who as a Licensed Acupuncturist specializes in addiction. Shelly Bobbins is board certified in Chinese medicine, as well as a Diplomate of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. She is also a Qualified Medical Evaluator specializing in industrial related injury and pain management. In addition to this she is a biofeedback therapist and specializes in meditation. Having worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years, Shelly Bobbins as an RN specialized in the area of psychiatry and addiction. Her background contributes to our team approach in the understanding of what challenges our clients face in all stages of the recovery process.

Recovery from any substance is an ongoing learning experience, which requires a commitment to recovery each day. Acupuncture and meditation as an adjunct to our 12-step treatment program for addiction help to support this process.