Acupuncture is a treatment that consists in pricking the patient with special needles. It was developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Traditional Chinese acupuncture uses a complicated system of ancient ideas that are not easy for most of us to understand. However, many modern Western practitioners find that acupuncture can be understood in scientific terms. This makes it easier to use in a Western setting and it is becoming increasingly acceptable here. Many hospitals today offer acupuncture to their patients and the British Medical Acupuncture Society has over 1,500 members.

Generally only a few needles are used and they are left in for only a short time, perhaps 5 minutes - sometimes for just a few seconds.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a multitude of ailments including moderate addictions such as smoking, it may also help with more serious addictions such as drug and alcohol problems but specialist help such as counseling and psychotherapy are advised.