Firstly acupuncture does not and cannot replace willpower. It can only help with the withdrawal symptoms, or hunger pains, experienced by those already motivated and committed to overcoming their particular addiction.

A large number of acupuncturists in the West use a variety of acupuncture techniques to treat obesity, smoking and hard drug addiction. There is some excellent physiological and clinical evidence to support the use of acupuncture in these areas. Withdrawal symptoms from giving up smoking, drugs, and overeating can be alleviated by raising levels of endorphins in the nervous system. Some people suggest that the desire to eat is also controlled by the levels of endorphins in the brain, which can be increased by ear acupuncture. A small needle in the ear may be electrically stimulated or a stud left in the ear for a week at a time. By pressing the stud this seems to decrease the desire to smoke or eat, which is probably due to an increase in endorphin levels.
Obesity

Acupuncture seems to relieve the problem of hunger usually created by dieting. Many people who receive acupuncture to help with weight loss also go on a diet at the same time. It is difficult to assess exactly which factors are responsible for weight loss, the acupuncture or the diet, or both in combination. Most acupuncturists claim that 40-50 per cent of their patients experience some significant weight loss (about ten pounds) during treatment. The figures are vague, as no useful trials have been completed in this field. But it does seem that ear acupuncture can help to suppress hunger.
Hard Drug Addiction

There has been extensive research done in this field. Acupuncture clearly can help to solve the severe withdrawal symptoms experienced by those coming off hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. But withdrawal symptoms from these drugs is only half the battle as a proper rehabilitation program is required if the addict is to return to the community. Acupuncture can only play a supportive role therefore in the addict’s battle.

Smoking
Ear acupuncture helps about 40 per cent of people to give up smoking over a period of about six months. But it is essential to be well motivated before embarking on a course of treatment. Acupuncture does decrease the desire to smoke and alleviates withdrawal symptoms produced by abstinence from tobacco.