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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

We read with interest the randomized controlled trial by Avants et al¹ suggesting that auricular acupuncture may reduce cocaine dependence. The authors made a laudable effort to develop adequate controls for auricular acupuncture treatment in a series of trials.^2-4 We would like to suggest a sham acupuncture method that offers the advantage of patient-blinding and avoidance of needle insertion (which some authors believe has physiological effects and therefore is an "unfair" placebo).⁵

The blunt telescoping sham needle method was introduced in body acupuncture with 2 different methods for retaining the needle.^5-6 One involves the purpose-designed Park tube and the other an O-ring and adhesive cover. The former method could also be used in auricular acupuncture by shortening the needle and slightly modifying the Park tube (Figure 1). We believe that a sham needle on sham points is even less active than a real needle and therefore would constitute . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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