The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation has awarded Dr. Robert Gilbert of Dalhousie University and a team of Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services (APTS) researchers lead by Shaun Black a grant of $6,027.00 to study the Efficacy of Auricular Acupuncture in Reducing Anxiety Associated with Addiction Recovery.
Dr. Gilbert's project was approved through the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation's peer review process. Aimed at recovery anxiety as it relates to all addictions, this project will include a subset of clients who self-identify as problem gamblers and who are currently seeking treatment through APTS in the Capital Health District.
The Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine has defined addiction as a primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a behavior and/or psychoactive substance. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual dimensions. To assist people in the recovery from addictions, such as compulsive gambling, APTS has established a Client Oriented Recovery Environment (CORE) program. This program uses a psychosocial approach to addiction recovery, teaching individuals, families, and communities about the harms associated with addiction, and nurturing them through the difficult process of change through a series of education, recovery, support and relapse prevention groups.
One troublesome and commonly seen side effect of the recovery process is the development of acute anxiety, which if left unmanaged, has the ability to detrimentally influence the recovery process as well as one's ability to perform behavioral and cognitive tasks. Auricular acupuncture is one of a number of holistic anxiety management therapies that have been incorporated into the CORE program. While auricular acupuncture is perceived by clinical staff to play a significant role in managing the level of anxiety in their program (based on clinical observations and patient feedback), the effectiveness of this therapy has never been tested experimentally in an addictions recovery setting. "Given the importance of effective anxiety management to achieving the outcomes of the CORE program, the efficacy of auricular acupuncture must be determined," said Dr. Gilbert.
"The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation is committed to building capacity and to championing the growth and development of researchers in Nova Scotia intereste in problem gambling issues," said Celeste Gotell, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation.
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For more information, contact:
Barbara Madic
Communications Coordinator
Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation
(902) 424-2147
