1974 -The Lincoln Memorial Hospital

In the USA, the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, was first introduced on an outpatient basis in 1974 at the Lincoln Memorial Hospital, a city facility in the South Bronx area of New York City.

By the mid 1980’s the success of this unique procedure had become so evident that treatment facilities across the USA began incorporating acupuncture into their treatment programmes.

Over a period of 10 years the staff and other professionals associated with it, developed the basic 5 ear-points protocol for the treatment of clients with substance misuse problems and addictions, using the diagnostic tools of experience and trial and error.

1985 -The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)

NADA was established to promote the education and training of clinicians in the use of the NADA five-point ear acupuncture protocol.

In 1987 research published by Bullock, Culliton and Olander, showed its effectiveness in treating people with chronic drug dependency problems.

Acupuncture detoxification has evolved very rapidly since then, and is now used effectively for the treatment of acute and prolonged drug withdrawal, as well as relapse prevention.

Yale University’s school of internal medicine, published a research report in August 2000, that showed the effectiveness of the NADA protocol in the treatment of cocaine, heroin, and methadone addiction.

1991 – NADA-UK.

Healthcare practitioners are employed in over 500 agencies in the UK, both voluntary and statutory, including HM Prisons, NHS Trusts and street agencies. All utilise the protocol in the treatment provision of services for substance misusers, and provide treatments to this client group.

The protocol is also used effectively in other areas of mental health wellbeing: recovering from trauma, helping ameliorate side effects from drug treatment in cancer, aiding recovery from benzodiazepine dependency, helping relaxation in young people with behavioural disorders, and providing relief in stress, anxiety and panic disorders.

Today, the NADA protocol is used worldwide as an efficient and cost-effective treatment for addiction, trauma, stress and anxiety.