09/11/2026
Why AcuDetox Was Born From Crisis
Today marks the anniversary of September 11, and it feels like the right moment to share something about one of the therapies I offer: AcuDetox.
Most people know it as a tool for addiction recovery ā five small needles placed in each ear, developed at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx in the 1970s. But in the fall of 2001, it became something more.
St. Vincent's Hospital, close to Ground Zero, began offering NADA treatments to survivors, firefighters, and first responders in the days after the attacks. Lincoln Hospital's own NADA-trained staff did the same. For years afterward, St. Vincent's and its branch sites kept offering the protocol to people still carrying the weight of that day.
Part of what made it work in that moment is that it's a non-verbal therapy. No one had to explain what they were feeling. No one had to find the words. They just sat, needles in place, and let their nervous system settle.
That's still what AcuDetox offers today ā a quiet, low-pressure way to come down from stress, grief, or overwhelm, without needing to talk it through first. It's become a standard part of disaster relief work since, showing up after hurricanes, tornadoes, and crises around the world.
That's part of why I'll be offering needles tonight at the Better Together Bash at Gunnison Arts Center, starting at 4 (til I run out of needles)ā with live music, tacos, and an art exhibit on recovery and resilience. Come find me for a free session ā no talking required, just a few quiet minutes to let your system settle.
If you're curious about trying it, I'd love to tell you more. š¤