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AcuDetox auricular acupuncture for women in Denver, CO

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What is AcuDetox?

acuDetox / auricular acupuncture for women in Denver describes AcuDetox as a standardized, nonverbal form of auricular acupuncture also called the NADA ear protocol, five-point protocol, or 5NP. Fine needles are placed at designated outer-ear points while participants sit quietly together for about 30 to 45 minutes. It is complementary, not stand-alone care. Review contact information.

Supporting guidance: Acudetox for Addiction Recovery in Denver | Women’s Recovery

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What is AcuDetox?

AcuDetox / auricular acupuncture for Women in Denver is a standardized, nonverbal form of ear acupuncture used as a complement to behavioral health and substance use treatment. It may accompany options such as group therapy for women and mindfulness for women, but it does not replace comprehensive care.

01

AcuDetox is also called the NADA ear protocol, the five-point protocol, or 5NP.

Some settings use the related name AcuWellness. These terms refer to a structured approach in which designated points on the outer ear are used. Because participation does not depend on conversation, you can sit quietly rather than explain personal experiences during the practice. That nonverbal structure may matter when you want a calm complementary activity within a broader plan addressing substance use and behavioral health needs.

02

The word “detox” in AcuDetox can be misleading.

This practice is not medical detoxification, and it cannot assess or manage withdrawal by itself. Women’s Recovery uses AcuDetox within comprehensive substance abuse treatment for women rather than as an independent intervention. Its appropriate role is therefore supportive: it may be included beside established treatment activities, while your overall care addresses the wider emotional, behavioral, and substance-related concerns that brought you to seek support.

What happens during an AcuDetox session?

During a standard AcuDetox session, fine needles are placed at designated points on the outer ear while participants sit quietly together for about 30 to 45 minutes. The group setting may feel different from conversational group therapy for women, while the quiet attention may share qualities with mindfulness for women.

01

The standard format is simple and consistent: ear-point placement followed by a period of quiet sitting.

You are not expected to tell your story or discuss your recovery in order to participate in the protocol. This can make the experience more accessible on days when speaking feels tiring or uncomfortable. Although several people may receive the protocol in one room, each participant can remain focused on her own experience rather than taking part in a facilitated verbal exchange.

02

AcuDetox should be understood in relation to the rest of care, not judged as a complete treatment session on its own.

Quiet participation does not replace assessment, counseling, behavioral health support, or medical attention when those are appropriate. Its structure can offer a defined pause within comprehensive treatment, while other parts of care address your goals, circumstances, relationships, and substance use concerns more directly. You retain the choice to discuss whether this complementary practice suits your preferences.

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What is the NADA ear protocol, and how does it relate to AcuDetox?

The NADA ear protocol is the standardized ear-acupuncture approach commonly called AcuDetox. It developed through community-based substance use work and later expanded into broader behavioral health settings. It can complement accepted treatment, including trauma-focused therapy for women or yoga for women, but it is not an independent treatment.

01

NADA refers to the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.

Its standardized protocol generally uses three to five points on the ear and grew from community substance use work at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx during the 1970s. It spread through grassroots practice into substance use and behavioral health programs. That history helps explain why you may encounter several labels for a similar practice, including NADA, five-point protocol, 5NP, AcuDetox, and sometimes the related term AcuWellness.

02

Standardization describes the protocol’s structure, not a promise that everyone will experience the same benefit.

The approach has been used across addiction, mental health, and trauma-related settings, yet researchers emphasize that it should augment accepted care rather than function independently. For you, the useful distinction is practical: NADA identifies the ear-point protocol itself, while comprehensive treatment includes the wider therapeutic and psychosocial support needed to understand your concerns and pursue personally meaningful recovery goals.

What should a woman expect from outpatient treatment in Denver?

women’s treatment programs may involve appointments followed by a return home the same day. You can also review admissions information when deciding whether a conversation about outpatient care feels helpful.

  1. 01

    Outpatient treatment can range from standard appointments that let you return home the same day to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) with more coordinated support

  2. 02

    Inpatient or partial-hospitalization care provides a higher level of structure when appropriate

  3. 03

    The right level depends on your needs, stability, and recovery goals

  4. 04

    Appropriate care can give you meaningful support while respecting your daily responsibilities and supportive relationships whenever possible

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Common questions

Explore therapies for women in recovery and give yourself permission to ask for help for related guidance. Call admissions when you want to discuss your own situation.

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01 Is AcuDetox the same as medical detox?

No. AcuDetox is an ear-acupuncture protocol used as a complementary behavioral health practice. It does not evaluate withdrawal, provide medical stabilization, or replace comprehensive substance use treatment. If withdrawal may be a concern, appropriate medical care has a different and essential role from the quiet, supportive AcuDetox session.

02 Do I have to talk during AcuDetox?

The standard protocol is nonverbal. Participants generally sit quietly together after fine needles are placed at designated outer-ear points. You do not need to disclose personal experiences to take part in that structure. Other parts of comprehensive care may involve conversation, but the AcuDetox practice itself centers on quiet participation.

03 Are AcuDetox and the NADA protocol different?

They generally refer to the same standardized form of auricular acupuncture. You may also hear five-point protocol, 5NP, or the related term AcuWellness. NADA identifies the organization and standardized ear protocol, while AcuDetox is a commonly used name for that practice in substance use and behavioral health settings.

04 What happens during an AcuDetox session?

During the standard AcuDetox protocol, fine needles are placed at designated points on the outer ear while participants sit quietly in a group for about 30 to 45 minutes. Women’s Recovery describes AcuDetox as a complementary service within comprehensive substance-use treatment, not a stand-alone intervention, medical detox, or a promised source of benefit.

05 What is the NADA ear protocol, and how does it relate to AcuDetox?

The NADA ear protocol is another name for AcuDetox, a standardized and nonverbal form of auricular acupuncture. It is also called the five-point protocol or 5NP, and some programs use the related term AcuWellness. Fine needles are placed at designated outer-ear points. Women’s Recovery describes it as complementary rather than a stand-alone intervention.

Evidence behind this page

Supporting health information

Read how we select health information sources and apply the Women’s Recovery editorial policy. These references provide general education and context; they do not establish an individual diagnosis, service, or treatment recommendation.

01 Acudetox for Addiction Recovery in Denver | Women’s Recovery womensrecovery.com View source 02 The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol, auricular acupuncture to support patients with substance abuse and behavioral health disorders: current perspectives - PMC pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov View source 03 Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety | NCCIH nccih.nih.gov View source 04 Treatment nida.nih.gov View source 05 Women and Mental Health - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) nimh.nih.gov View source 06 Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol: How to Ask For Help? samhsa.gov View source 07 Women’s Recovery Denver address and contact womensrecovery.com View source 08 City and County of Denver substance-use support information denvergov.org View source 09 City and County of Denver mental-health crisis information denvergov.org View source 10 Treatment Types for Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol | SAMHSA samhsa.gov View source 11 Managing Life with Co-Occurring Disorders | SAMHSA samhsa.gov View source 12 Get help: Mental health, drugs, or alcohol | Behavioral Health Administration bha.colorado.gov View source
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