Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, and practiced by some professionals such as the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists under the umbrella of evidence-based western medicine. While there are certainly many patients receptive to complementary and alternative therapies that fall outside of mainstream healthcare, the question for this hot topic is whether these therapies can or should be recommended for their effectiveness in treating acute problems and disorders, or relieving symptoms of withdrawal in the case of problem drinking and drug use…..