Addiction and Quitting Smoking

Substances like alcohol, nicotine, and both legal and illegal drugs often begin as tools – ways to relax, numb pain, take the edge off stress, or feel more at ease in social situations. But over time, those tools can become crutches, slowly replacing healthier ways of coping until the body depends on them just to feel “normal.”

At New Dawn Acupuncture, we support patients through the physical and emotional challenges of withdrawal and help the body relearn how to relax, calm down, and heal without substances. If you’re ready for compassionate support on your path toward recovery, call (202) 538-3995 to book today.

How Substances Affect the Body and Mind

Substances change brain chemistry, disrupt sleep patterns, strain the liver and digestive system, and weaken emotional resilience. As tolerance develops, more of the substance is needed to feel the same effect – and stopping can bring uncomfortable or painful symptoms that make recovery feel overwhelming.

Addiction is not a personal failure. It’s a response to stress, trauma, pain, or difficult circumstances, and healing requires care for both the body and the underlying emotional landscape.

How Acupuncture Helps With Withdrawal Symptoms

Acupuncture helps reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms by shifting the body into a parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state. This allows the nervous system to settle, easing cravings, anxiety, irritability, digestive discomfort, sleep disturbances, and the physical tension often associated with withdrawal.

As the body learns to relax without the presence of the substance, it begins to rebuild its natural rhythms of energy, calm, and resilience. Many patients find that acupuncture gives them a sense of steadiness that makes it easier to stay committed to recovery.

Supporting the Root Causes of Addiction

Relief from withdrawal is important, but it’s only part of the healing process. True recovery also requires addressing the emotional, physical, and environmental factors that contributed to substance use in the first place. Lifestyle changes play a crucial role – from building nourishing eating habits to avoiding triggers, creating supportive routines, learning new coping tools, and finding genuine sources of joy.

As part of your treatment, we help you understand your body’s patterns, explore supportive strategies, and build a foundation that makes long-term recovery more sustainable.

When Addiction Is Connected to Pain

If substance use began as a way to cope with chronic pain or a soft tissue injury, our FAST™ approach may help address the underlying cause. You can read more about it here »

A Caring, Non-Judgmental Approach to Healing

Addiction and withdrawal require sensitivity, steadiness, and a safe space to heal. We meet every patient with compassion, respect, and a clear plan that supports the whole person – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our goal is not just to reduce symptoms but to help you reclaim your health, confidence, and wellbeing.

Source: 

Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine: An Integrative Approach, 3rd edition, Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine