Opioid drug addiction is a worldwide social and medical problem. Acupuncture has emerged as the most evidence-based, non-pharmacologic treatment option that can be employed to decrease the public’s opioid dependence. The present review systematically analyzed data from clinical trials and animal studies published in Chinese and English literature since 1970. Acupuncture point selection and combination, techniques, as well as possible mechanisms have been explored through the review. Acupuncture may play a more important role in the recovery stage by assisting to prevent relapse. Instead of replacing allopathic medications during opioid detoxification, acupuncture is more suitable to work as an adjuvant treatment to lower the dosage of pharmacological drugs and reduce the side effects from those drugs.