Utility of Cupping Therapy in Substance Use Disorder: A Novel Approach or a Bizarre Treatment?

Substance use disorder is a psychiatric problem not bound by age, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, geography, socio-economic status, educational level, or political and religious ideologies. While robust pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments are available for de-addiction and managing withdrawal symptoms, patients from rural areas and lower socio-economic classes often prefer alternative medicine. Cupping therapy is one such ancient practice used mainly for organic physical conditions. A patient addicted to alprazolam, codeine, and tobacco presented to our psychiatry outpatient department for de-addiction and management of his withdrawal symptoms. He came to seek professional help after a trial of cupping therapy by an alternative medicine practitioner, which did not improve his condition. His withdrawal symptoms subsided after standard treatment. As found in this case, cupping therapy is not beneficial in treating substance use disorder or managing withdrawal symptoms. Awareness of the utility and consequences of cupping therapy and other alternative therapies is required to promote rational scientific treatments. Substantial reforms in health promotion and health education are required to educate the general population regarding the most effective treatments available, and the risks of iatrogenesis associated with traditional cures that are not evidentially backed.