Design: Retrospective instrumental case study.  Six nicotine dependent adult smokers were selected for the study.  The participants’ had all used auriculotherapy as part of a multifaceted approach to become smoke free and had remained smoke free for at least a year or more.

Method: In 2005, six nicotine addicted adult smokers living in southern United States who had used bio-electric auriculotherapy in treatment were interviewed in depth about their experiences with auriculotherapy intervention. Data collection included in-depth interviews with each of the subjects, treatment progress notes, researchers notes,  demographic data obtained from the participants’ treatment records.  Verbatim transcripts of each of the interviews were analyzed based on responses to auriculotherapy at each stage of the treatment process: detoxification, rehabilitation or relapse prevention.

Findings:  Analysis of the data  since treatment  indicated usefulness of electrical auriculotherapy in all stages of the treatment process: detoxification, rehabilitation and relapse prevention.

Conclusions: Minimal auriculotherapy intervention for some, and for others, a more intensive, multifaceted, and individualized approach to include current addiction education and coaching significantly relieved withdrawal, reduced stress and promoted a sense of well being. Participants reported a physiological and emotional stabilizing effect.  Some of the participants remained smoke free after minimal intervention while others required more intensity to maintain a smoke free status over long periods of time. Further research is indicated to assess the effects of short term versus long term intervention with auriculotherapy among nicotine dependent smokers.