The auricular acupuncture (AA) detoxification was first introduced in 1974. Over the past thirty years this technique has been extensively studied, expanded and improved. Unfortunately, there is no empirical evidence to recommend the use of AA for dual diagnosis patients (DDP). The absent data on the efficacy and safety of the AA leads to inappropriate use of this therapeutic intervention in DDP.

Randomized controlled parallel groups clinical trial aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of AA in DDP for the management of both psychiatric and addiction issues. The study population group [10 AA tretments at least 20 minutes 4-5 times a week] comprised 10 subjects (9 males (90.0%), mean age 28.8 years (SD=5.7)). The control population group (without AA) comprised 3 subjects (3 males (100.0%), mean age 29.5 years (SD=7.8)). Antipsychotic efficacy was measured by CGI–Severity & CGI–Improvement scales, craving was measured by Drug-DALI and treatment compliance was measured by DAI-10.

There were no differences between the groups according to demographic and clinical measures at the beginning of the study. The mean DALI score change in study population was –3.7 (SD=3.9; p<.06), the mean DAI score change was 3.9 (SD=4.6; p<.06) in comparison to –6.0 (SD=4.2; NS) and 5.5 (SD=10.6; NS) in a control population, respectively. Were no differences in CGI-I (NS). There were no adverse events in both populations.

There is a trend for effect of AA to craving decrease and a trend for effect to improvement of treatment-compliance in DDP.