The dopaminergic system, and in particular the dopamine D2 receptor, has been implicated in reward mechanisms. The net effect of neurotransmitter interaction at the mesolimbic brain region induces “reward” when dopamine (DA) is released from the neuron at the nucleus accumbens and interacts with a dopamine D2 receptor. “The reward cascade” involves the release of serotonin, which in turn at the hypothalmus stimulates enkephalin, which in turn inhibits GABA at the substania nigra, which in turn fine tunes the amount of DA released at the nucleus accumbens or “reward site.” It is well known that under normal conditions in the reward site DA works to maintain our normal drives. In fact, DA has become to be known as the “pleasure molecule” and/or the “antistress molecule.” When DA is released into the synapse, it stimulates a number a DA receptors (D1-D5) which results in increased feelings of well-being and stress reduction. A consensus of the literature suggests that when there is a dysfunction in ...

Reward deficiency syndrome: a biogenetic model for the diagnosis and treatment of impulsive, addictive, and compulsive behaviors.

Acupuncture- from Empiricism to Science: Functional Background to Acupuncture Effects in Pain and Disease

About the Editors. List of Contributors. Preface. PART I: TREATMENT AND RECOVERY (Editor: Nick Heather). Editor's Introduction. Chapter 1: The Effectiveness of Treatment (Janice M. Brown). Chapter 2: Assessment for Brief Intervention and Treatment (Malissa Yang & Harvey Skinner). Chapter 3: Alcohol Withdrawal and Detoxification (Duncan Raistrick). Chapter 4: Pharmacological Treatments (Jonathan Chick). Chapter 5: Cognitive-behavioural Alcohol Treatment (George A. Parks, G. Alan Marlatt & Britt K. Anderson). Chapter 6: Relapse Prevention Therapy (George A. Parks, Britt K. Anderson & G. Alan Marlatt). Chapter 7: Motivational Interviewing (Stephen Rollnick & Jeff Allison). Chapter 8: Brief Interventions (Nick Heather). Chapter 9: Treating Comorbidity of Alcohol Problems and Psychiatric Disorder (Kim T. Mueser & David Kavanagh). Chapter 10: Natural Recovery from Alcohol Problems (Harald K.-H. Klingemann). Chapter 11: Alcoholics Anonymous and Other Mutual Aid Groups (Chad Emrick). PART II: PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS (Editor: Tim Stockwell). Editor's Introduction. Chapter 12: Effects of Price and Taxation (Esa Osterberg). Chapter 13: Controls on the Physical Availability of Alcohol (Tim Stockwell & Paul Gruenewald). Chapter 14: Creating Safer Drinking Environments (Ross Homel, Gillian McIlwain & Russell Carvolth). Chapter 15: Prevention of Alcohol-related Road Crashes (A. James McKnight & Robert B. Voas). Chapter 16: Prevention at the Local Level (Andrew J. Treno & Harold D. Holder). Chapter 17: Alcohol Education in Schools (Richard Midford & Nyanda McBride). Chapter 18: Mass Media Marketing and Advocacy to Reduce Alcohol-related Harm (Kevin Boots & Richard Midford). Chapter 19: Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship: Commercial Freedom or Control in the Public Interest? (Linda Hill & Sally Casswell). Author Index. Subject Index.

/pdf/the-essential-handbook-of-treatment-and-prevention-of-11dwsqwzgn.pdf

The essential handbook of treatment and prevention of alcohol problems

In this chapter some of the modern scientific studies on acupuncture are outlined. A more detailed review appears in Acupuncture Textbook and Atlas by Stux and Pomeranz [179 a] and Scientific Bases of Acupuncture by Pomeranz and Stux [151a].

Scientific Basis of Acupuncture

ContextAuricular acupuncture is widely used to treat cocaine addiction in the
United States and Europe However, evidence from controlled studies regarding
this treatment's effectiveness has been inconsistentObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture as a treatment
for cocaine addictionDesignRandomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial conducted from November
1996 to April 1999SettingSix community-based clinics in the United States: 3 hospital-affiliated
clinics and 3 methadone maintenance programsPatientsSix hundred twenty cocaine-dependent adult patients (mean age, 388
years; 692% men); 412 used cocaine only and 208 used both opiates and cocaine
and were receiving methadone maintenanceInterventionPatients were randomly assigned to receive auricular acupuncture (n
= 222), a needle-insertion control condition (n = 203), or a relaxation control
condition (n = 195) Treatments were offered 5 times weekly for 8 weeks Concurrent
drug counseling was also offered to patients in all conditionsMain Outcome MeasuresCocaine use during treatment and at the 3- and 6-month postrandomization
follow-up based on urine toxicology screens; retention in treatmentResultsIntent-to-treat analysis of urine samples showed a significant overall
reduction in cocaine use (odds ratio, 140; 95% confidence interval, 111-174; P = 002) but no differences by treatment condition (P = 90 for acupuncture vs both control conditions) There
were also no differences between the conditions in treatment retention (44%-46%
for the full 8 weeks) Counseling sessions in all 3 conditions were poorly
attendedConclusionsWithin the clinical context of this study, acupuncture was not more
effective than a needle insertion or relaxation control in reducing cocaine
use Our study does not support the use of acupuncture as a stand-alone treatment
for cocaine addiction or in contexts in which patients receive only minimal
concurrent psychosocial treatment Research will be needed to examine acupuncture's
contribution to addiction treatment when provided in an ancillary role

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/articlepdf/194524/JOC10649.pdf

RobertT. Olander

Papers

Controlled trial of acupuncture for severe recidivist alcoholism.