Building Capacity for NADA Protocol Delivery
The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) Protocol is a standardized 5-point auricular acupuncture treatment used worldwide in addiction recovery, mental health, disaster relief, and community wellness. NADA Canada Institute is the Canadian training and certification body.
Training
Structured training programs for healthcare providers, community workers, and institutions. From introductory workshops to full practitioner certification pathways.
Certification
Standardized certification for NADA Protocol practitioners in Canada. Competency-based assessment, supervised clinical hours, and ongoing professional development.
Research
Supporting and disseminating Canadian research on NADA Protocol outcomes. Building the evidence base for policy advocacy and institutional adoption.
What Is the NADA Protocol?
The NADA Protocol involves the gentle placement of up to five small, sterilized disposable needles into specific sites on each ear. The treatment is delivered in a group setting, typically lasting 30–45 minutes. It does not require a diagnosis, intake, or individual assessment — participants simply sit quietly.
Originally developed in the 1970s at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx for addiction recovery, the protocol is now used in over 40 countries across behavioral health, disaster response, veterans' services, correctional facilities, and primary care. It is recognized for its accessibility, low cost, and compatibility with other treatments.
The Five Auricular Points
- Sympathetic — calming, reduces fight-or-flight activation
- Shen Men — "spirit gate," promotes serenity and relaxation
- Kidney — addresses fear, supports willpower and resolve
- Liver — associated with detoxification, manages anger and frustration
- Lung — supports grief processing, promotes letting go
Where the NADA Protocol Is Used
Healthcare
Primary care clinics, community health centres, hospitals, mental health programs, and addictions services.
Corrections & Justice
Drug treatment courts, correctional facilities, probation and parole programs, and reintegration services.
Community & Social Services
Shelters, harm reduction sites, Indigenous healing programs, disaster relief, veterans' services, and workplace wellness.
Established Use in Canada and Internationally
The NADA Protocol has been studied and implemented across diverse Canadian and international settings:
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto — randomized controlled trial of NADA as adjunct to methadone maintenance, with published outcomes in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
- Ajax Harwood Clinic, Ontario — integrated into primary care delivery as part of a family medicine practice
- Over 700 programs across the United States cited in SAMHSA's Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP 45) federal guideline for detoxification
- Drug treatment courts across North America — used to support compliance and reduce recidivism
- European adoption — integrated into psychiatric and addiction services across the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and other EU countries
- Disaster response — deployed following 9/11 in New York City, Hurricane Katrina, and other mass-casualty events
Real-World Outcomes
Our case studies document how the NADA Protocol supports change in clinical practice — from executive burnout and insomnia to grief, PTSD-related dissociation, and creative blocks.
Bring NADA Protocol to Your Organization
Whether you are a healthcare facility, correctional institution, community organization, or government program, NADA Canada Institute can help you assess feasibility, train your team, and build a sustainable NADA Protocol program.