About NADA Ireland

Nada Ireland offers nationwide ear acupuncture training all year round.

Acupuncture as a treatment for addiction and recovery, is a recent development of the history of this ancient practice. Historically, Asian cultures have placed needles in precise locations on the body, to relieve pain and treat disease. In 1972, Hong Kong Neurosurgeon H.L. Wen, discovered that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal and since then this method has been used for detoxification and relapse prevention around the world.

Acudetox was introduced into Ireland in 1997, by the Late Jim Byrne. Jim brought the NADA protocol from the USA to Ireland, adapting it slightly throughout his journey. Jim trained Lorraine Stewart as a trainer and took her on as his apprentice in the five-point protocol before he passed away in 2002 At his request, Lorraine continued Jim’s work throughout Ireland and has been training practitioners for over 20 years now.

BACKGROUND

CURRENT TREATMENT

Currently, the NADA protocol is used in addiction treatment centres across Ireland to support service users in their recovery. It is also used in conjunction with talk therapies while treating individuals who have experienced significant trauma and suffer with PTSD.

While the specific NADA protocol remains the same, Lorraine has adapted the training over the years to remain up to date with current research and practices. Acudetox is the insertion of disposable acupuncture needles into three to five auricular acupuncture points, for the purpose of prevention and treatment of substance misuse.

NADA certification to perform Auricular Detoxification Therapy is offered to those who have successfully completed a NADA approved training program.

OUR PRACTITIONERS

LORRAINE STEWART

Lorraine was trained by Jim Byrne who introduced the five point protocol to the country and he was the founder of NADA Ireland back in 1997. In recent years this treatment has gained popularity among the general public, looking for an alternative treatment to combat stress. Given the fact that the treatments are conducted in a group setting it is both time and cost effective for all. Lorraine has been committed to providing training primarily within community based projects and to the staff of these centres.

Lorraine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to any training session. Herself and Louise are single handily responsible for training hundreds of people working in the caring profession all over Ireland.

LEAD TRAINER

LOUISE STEWART

Louise began her career as a social care worker before returning to education to become an addiction counsellor. Through this experience, Louise decided to retrain as a Social Worker and subsequently went on to practice as a Social Worker for many years.

Louise was exposed to auricular acupuncture through her Mother, Lorraine, and has seen the benefits it can bring to individual and families living with addiction and other associated challenges.

Louise shares her Mother’s passion for both auricular acupuncture and teaching, so together, they make a good team and strive to support the learning of all practitioners they train.

TRAINER, ADMINISTRATOR

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO LEARN?

Here are some of the key learning outcomes from our training courses.

HIGH SUCCESS RATE

Our success rate in training is 100%. Complete course to be qualified to administer auricular acupuncture.

How to integrate treatments into existing addiction and recovery support programmes or activities.

ADDICTION & RECOVERY

PRACTICAL TRAINING

The use of the five auricular acupuncture points – Shenmen, Sympathetic, Kidney, Liver, Lung.

How to administer both a light treatment and full treatment in a clinical setting (Individual & Group).

The use and the benefits of auricular puncture in Harm Reduction.

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

HARM REDUCTION

Annual refresher courses so you are confident and qualified to keep administering treatments.

ACUPUNCTURE POINTS