For the past 9 years, the Ki Kai Shiatsu Centre has been working in the field of substance misuse, providing treatment for current and ex-drug users, in a variety of settings. Through this work it became apparent that Shiatsu is very popular amongst people accessing help with drug problems, invariably more popular than counselling and second only to free prescription drugs.

Through his work at the Centre, Chris Osborne (Getting out of our heads - Shiatsu and Substance Abuse - Shiatsu Society News - Winter 1998) states that there are a number of core issues in substance misuse. He believes that for many people, brought up to deny pleasure as a primary orientation in life, or simply lacking the experience of it, drugs can offer (for a while) life enhancing experiences of fun. He states that clients recognise the same sense of pleasure from Shiatsu and thus whilst in treatment, the receipt of wholesome, guilt free pleasure can often be a first experience. He also believes that where drugs are used as an emotional coping strategy, Shiatsu can provide, when the drug use stops, a very effective way of learning to process emotions because it involves re-embodiment and grounding.

Chaotic drug use provides a profoundly dehumanising and damaging lifestyle. Using Shiatsu to touch in a non-abusive and non-judgemental way can have a profound effect. Opiates and other drugs are powerfully analgesic, thus many users become accustomed to living without pain.