Needles led Kevin Arkell down the path of addiction and HIV infection. Now the same prickly instrument is helping him find solace from speed, AIDS and thoughts of suicide. It's been a cornerstone of his survival.

"A smile comes over my face in the morning coming to acupuncture cause I know how I'm going to feel afterwards," Arkell said. "It's like putting on a new body."

SPECIAL: Music taken from Mayumi's Life With Wings album. For more information, visit the artist's Web site.