Complementary and alternative medicine for addiction: an overview of systematic reviews

Abstract

Background

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular among individuals with a variety of addictions.

Objective

To critically evaluate the evidence from systematic reviews (SRs) of the effectiveness of CAM for addictions.

Methods

Ten electronic databases were searched from their inception to January 2015. Systematic reviews of any type of CAM with any type of addiction-related outcome were considered eligible. The Oxman criteria for assessing the methodological quality of the included SRs were used.

Results

Twenty-seven SRs met the inclusion criteria. Most of them were of high methodological quality (mean=4.66, SD=5.20). Twelve SRs arrived at equivocal conclusions (of these, seven were of high quality), four drew positive conclusions (three of which were of high quality), and 11 arrived at negative conclusions (of which six were of high quality). A wide variety of addictions were examined, including alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates (heroin, morphine, opium), tobacco and various (unspecified) drugs. A diversity of CAM modalities was also used such as acupuncture (and related techniques), herbal medicine, hypnotherapy, meditative/mindfulness techniques, music therapy, spirituality and yoga.

Conclusion

A large number of SRs exist in the area of addiction. The evidence from SRs examining the effectiveness of various CAM interventions for myriad addictions is highly ambiguous or negative.