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Iboga Blog
Iboga Blog
13th November 2020 • Sticky Post
Harm Reduction in 2020
Harm Reduction can be defined essentially as a range of policies designed to minimize the impact of behaviors with negative social, physical, and psychological consequences. The term is generally used to refer to a number of public policies related to substance abuse and addiction. Policies that fall under the umbrella of harm reduction would include needle exchanges, safe injection sites, opioid replacement therapy, and the decriminalization of drugs of abuse.
Harm reduction gained traction as a strategy for dealing with drug abuse in the 1980s, as the AIDS epidemic was at its height. A coalition of academics, activists, and public officials looked to limit the spread of the disease, and decrease the human and financial burdens created by addiction. As the concept developed over the years advocates of harm reduction have pointed to programs like supervised injections, needle exchanges, alternative sentencing measures, and decriminalization as ways to create better outcomes for both addicts and taxpayers. The concept has come to include creative measures such as “Illegal” magazine, a Danish publication provided to addicts which allows them to earn money by selling the publication in the manner of “The Big Issue” rather than resorting to crime or sex work.
Perhaps the greatest coup the movement has scored was persuading the Portuguese government to wholeheartedly adopt the strategy in 2001. Portugal decriminalized all drugs and began to treat addiction and substance misuse as a health issue, a tectonic shift that ended a great deal of the stigma and dehumanization that too frequently surround issues of addiction. Over the past two decades, Portugal has seen dramatic drops in the spread of HIV, deaths from overdose, and drug-related crime. Yet few countries have adopted this successful approach. Let’s take a look at the state of harm reduction measures in 2020, and explore the question of why the Portuguese model hasn’t been more widely adopted.
We can see mentalities to illicit drug use changing, as cities, states, and countries move towards decriminalization of certain drugs. Canada, South Africa, and an ever-growing list of American states have recently legalized cannabis, a shift that signals that attitudes towards illicit drug use, if not addiction, are changing in the "First World". Meanwhile, Canada, Australia, and 10 European countries are currently operating safe-injection sites for intravenous drug use. This seems like progress, but if you consider the fact that these sites are proven to save millions of dollars in health-care costs by preventing overdoses and the spread of HIV and hepatitis, it’s shocking that these facilities aren’t more widespread. A similar problem exists with needle exchange programs. Even with an indisputable array of evidence demonstrating that needle exchanges prevent the spread of diseases associated with intravenous drug use, according to Wikipedia, only 14 countries around the world provide this service, and in the USA there is a federal funding ban on these exchanges.
Portugal’s decision not to arrest or incarcerate anyone for drug possession allowed the country to provide more funding for health-care services instead of law enforcement. Decriminalization has saved the government millions of Euros and changed public conceptions of who the addicted are. According to The Guardian, people who used to be called “drogados”, a derisive term for addicts, are now referred to as “people who use drugs.” And this has happened in a country that used to employ the slogan “Drugs are Satan!”
Meanwhile, in countries like the United States, the UK, and Sweden, attitudes, and policies for dealing with the addicted remain mired in moral condemnation of drug users. 47% of the inmates in American federal prisons are incarcerated for drug offenses, while in the UK 15% of adults and over 20% of juveniles currently incarcerated are serving time for drug offenses.
Outdated policies based on moralistic views of drug users have made the toll taken by the global opioid epidemic even more horrific. People who began using prescription drugs for genuine pain are now being forced into the black-market to procure the substances they’d been encouraged to use by healthcare professionals, a process that leads to incarceration and even death. Meanwhile, promising treatments including psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ibogaine are languishing in the wings while the problems they could help solve rage on unabated.
Attitudes towards the addicted are changing, and that gives us hope for a brighter future. We just hope that governments can accelerate their adoption of this new paradigm.
Harm Reduction in the Developing World
Countries like Ghana and Colombia have been pushing to decriminalize drugs, and reform draconian laws which too often ruin the lives of young and poor people. In Ghana, someone caught with a single joint of marijuana was subject to 10 years of jail time. Many activists in the country feel that the popular reforms are being stalled by a police force and judiciary who fear the change would weaken their hold on power. Meanwhile, reports from Colombia show that the number of people in jail for drug offenses jumped by 250% following legal changes in 2009 which decriminalized possession of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana.
For intravenous drug users, the 2017 Lancet Global Health Report found that lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) experienced chronic under-funding for needle exchanges and other harm-reduction measures aimed at halting the spread of HIV. This is especially troubling because injection drug use is now far more prevalent in these countries than in the developed world.
In Asia, harm reduction seems even further away. The region leads the world in executions for drug offenses, and many of the continent’s largest countries, including Thailand, China, India, Korea, and Vietnam view drug trafficking as a capital offense. While harm reduction programs have appeared, the NCBI reports that they are generally small programs that reach few of the people in need.
Structural issues are a major barrier to significant harm reduction in Asia, as the social stigma surrounding drug use is far greater than in the West, and harsh penalties for simple possession keep many of those in need of treatment from accessing healthcare systems. In the Philippines, the situation is extremely grim for drug users, as President Duterte’s misguided drug war has taken the lives of an estimated 20,000 people who’ve been targeted for extrajudicial execution.
The Future
As firm believers in harm reduction who have watched firsthand as Portugal’s progressive, humanitarian policies transformed thousands of lives, we find reasons to be both saddened and encouraged by the global progress of harm reduction. At Iboga Tree Healing House we dream of a day when governments around the world adopt the fiscally prudent, deeply compassionate policies that fall under the umbrella of harm reduction. For the time being, we would recommend that addicts in regions with outmoded, repressive laws and policies regarding addiction venture abroad for treatment.
11th November 2020 • Sticky Post
Addiction: A Family Disease
Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict. It takes a horrible toll on husbands and wives, parents and children, and often extended families as well. It is frequently passed down through generations, creating a pattern of trauma that perpetuates itself time and again. Many researchers also feel that certain genetic factors make some families far more vulnerable to addiction than their peers. All of these statements are so widely believed that they are almost cliches at this point. Yet most conventional modalities for treating addiction focus purely on the individual addict and do little to heal families that have been torn apart and brutally traumatized. The time has come for treatment providers to focus more attention on the families of the addicted.
Healing Together
Addiction
We’ve written before about the strength that those in recovery can draw from group therapy and peer engagement. The benefits include strengthening bonds, imparting wisdom, and instilling confidence and hope. Group therapy works so well in part because surrogate families are created which allow the addict to draw necessary support from their peers. When actual families become involved in the process, these benefits increase exponentially.
Numerous studies have shown that involving families improves treatment outcomes. Addiction treatment coupled with family therapy has been shown to reduce relapse rates, improve medication adherence, reduce psychiatric symptoms, and lower overall stress levels. According to the US-based National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the benefits of family involvement include:
- Keeping the sufferer engaged and motivated during treatment
- Discovering more about addiction and its effects on the family as well as understanding how treatment is conducted and what is to be expected when it’s complete
- Enabling family members to make their voices heard, share feelings and concerns and ask important questions about a loved one’s addiction
- Offering the sufferer adequate and appropriate support after treatment
- Helping to ease feelings of fear, anger, stress, and confusion related to the addiction
- The chance for family members to develop skills and strategies to guide their loved one through the recovery process
- Improving the family’s communication and conflict resolution skills
- Offering the opportunity to address any mental health issues within the family, such as depression or anxiety, which could increase familial stress and contribute to relapse
Addiction and Family Trauma
Addiction and Family Trauma
Dr. Gabor Mate has written eloquently about childhood trauma as a precursor to, and cause of, addiction. He feels that pain from childhood suffering becomes internalized, and leads adults into destructive cycles of self-medication. As Mate states, “hurt is at the center of all addictive behaviors. It is present in the gambler, the Internet addict, the compulsive shopper and the workaholic. The wound may not be as deep and the ache not as excruciating, and it may even be entirely hidden — but it’s there.”
A great deal of research seems to confirm the link between early trauma and addiction. A study in Atlanta found that participants who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as children and exhibited symptoms of PTSD were far more likely to suffer from substance abuse disorders. The study found that this increased risk of addiction was independent of any trauma suffered in adulthood. Of the subjects, lifetime substance dependency rates were 39% for alcohol, 34% for cocaine, 6.2% for opioids and 45% for marijuana. Another study looked at subjects who had been exposed to 0-10 types of adverse childhood experiences and found that subjects exposed to 5 or more were 7 to 10 times more likely to report illicit drug use problems. There are a number of other studies which appear to bear out Dr. Mate’s belief that addictions are rooted in childhood trauma.
We are inclined to accept Mate’s assertion that adverse childhood experience is a common factor in an overwhelming majority of addicts. We should also note that childhood trauma includes not just dramatic experiences like emotional loss, various types of abuse, and mental illness, but also more commonplace causes of harm such as depriving children of fundamental needs that must be met for healthy emotional and mental development. If an addicted family member claims that they suffer from childhood trauma, it’s important to remember that they aren’t necessarily accusing you of abuse or neglect, they’re simply sharing their pain.
Family's Part in the Recovery Journey
Family's Part in the Recovery Journey
Involving the family in treatment is invaluable, as it can allow the addict and their loved ones to make peace with the traumatic childhood experiences which lead to addiction. Forgiveness is an essential part of recovery, and opening up an honest and respectful dialogue with family members can lead to acceptance of the flaws and shortcomings which led to trauma, and offer the opportunity to start fresh. As the speaker in this powerful Ted Talk notes, forgiveness isn’t a shortcut to healing, but a path to freedom, which enables the person wronged to move on from painful memories and remove bitterness and negativity from their lives.
At Iboga Tree Healing House we are firm believers in utilizing the deep bonds created by love, shared experiences, and understanding which only a family can offer. Finding forgiveness can remove the addict from their isolated state, and free their families from an endless cycle of negativity and recriminations. Addicts need to make peace with their pasts, and involving the family in this process can allow them to explore the causes of their pain and build the skills necessary to deal with it in a healthy manner. By working with your loved one as they go through the recovery process you won’t just help them to heal, you’ll also heal yourself.
6th November 2020 • Sticky Post
Understanding Psilocybin Therapy
The use of psychedelics in treating all manner of mental illnesses has been a hot topic in recent years. Scientists at prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins, New York University, the University of New Mexico, and Imperial College in London have conducted small but rigorous and controlled studies which have shown the immense potential of psilocybin therapy in dealing with depression, anxiety, and addiction. These studies have led to numerous books exploring the history and medical potential of psychedelics to change and heal the mind, most notably best-selling American author Michael Pollan’s “How To Change Your Mind.”
As momentum has built, a number of jurisdictions have decriminalized the cultivation and possession of psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”), notably the major American cities of Oakland, California, and Denver, Colorado. 2020 will also see voters in Oregon and California decide on whether to legalize the substance throughout their states. Many psychologists, physicians, and people afflicted with mental illnesses are eager to take advantage of the benefits offered by this remarkable plant. As Mr. Pollan puts it:
a single psilocybin trip guided by trained professionals has the potential to relieve “existential distress” in cancer patients; break addictions to cigarettes, alcohol, and cocaine; and bring relief to people struggling with depression. Psychiatry’s current drugs for treating these disorders are limited in their effectiveness, often addictive, address only symptoms, and can come with serious side effects. Thus, the prospect of psychedelic medicine is raising hopes of a badly needed revolution in mental health care.
Psilocybin Treatment: The Process
Understanding Psilocybin Treatment
While there isn’t currently an established model for psilocybin treatment, most of the studies conducted thus far have patients use the substance in a controlled environment, supervised by a psychologist who guides them through the experience. The Imperial College study on depression offered patients a 25-milligram capsule of psilocybin, which is a substantial dose. They were placed in a room with a bed, surrounded with flowers and candles, and guided through traumas, significant past events, and formative memories.
A study at the University of New Mexico on psilocybin therapy for alcohol addiction offered participants four weeks of traditional psychotherapy, before giving them a dose of psilocybin in a quiet, comfortable room with male and female “co-therapists.” In this study, the therapists did little more than direct patients to “turn their attention inward” and go where their minds took them. This was followed by four more weeks of psychotherapy, another psilocybin session, and a final bout of traditional therapy.
As one participant noted, his experience wasn’t focused on his dependence on alcohol, but rather on the stresses, guilt, and happiness which his relationship with family members created. His recovery wasn’t motivated by a desire to avoid alcohol, but rather by the prospect of improving his relationships with loved ones. He reported being effortlessly abstinent for months afterward, before beginning to drink moderately once again but with “a conscientiousness he had never experienced with alcohol before.” Two years after the study his drinking remained under control, and he had repaired his marriage and relationships with his children.
Why is Psilocybin Treatment Effective?
Why is Psilocybin Treatment Effective?
While many countries are accelerating research into psilocybin therapy, no one is exactly sure why the treatment has proven to be so effective. Nonetheless, there are a number of compelling theories as to why it works. Serotonin is often cited as one possible key to the effects of psilocybin, as the substance causes “downregulation” of the serotonin system, which can result in reduced impulsivity and improved mood. But changes to serotonin typically last for just one week, so the longer-term benefits of the treatment must derive from a different source.
Michael Bogenschutz, the lead investigator in the University of New Mexico alcohol trial, posits the view that exposure to psychedelics and oneirogenics can create a phenomenon that mirrors the long-tail effects of PTSD. As he puts it:
"there's a whole process that happens when a toxic memory is seared into the brain. The only physical effect is probably light hitting the eyes. It's the meaning made of that memory, and the brain and body's reaction to the meaning, that can cause lasting damage. So if there are experiences that are so toxic and so horrible that they can cause physical and psychological damage, it's not a crazy idea that there are some experiences that are so positive, so beneficial that they can have a healing effect."
Other researchers point to the concept of “ego death” that has long been associated with psychedelics. Robin Carhartt-Harris, a researcher at Imperial College, notes that psilocybin reduces activity in the brain’s “default mode network”, a collection of brain regions and neurotransmitters that are believed to construct an independent self and place it at the center of perceptions and experiences. Psychedelics help individuals to pay less attention to the self, breaking down walls and facilitating connections. Since many depressed and addicted people are plagued with a deep and abiding sense of isolation from others, this can feel like a dramatic escape from a mental prison. Many of the participants in these studies reported that psilocybin dramatically reduced their sense of alienation.
Another theory is that the therapy increases neuroplasticity, changing and reshaping neurons in the brain. This remodeling of cells is the basis of all learning, and substances like psilocybin and iboga have been proven to improve neuroplasticity. Addiction, anxiety, trauma, and depression can create negative changes in brain chemistry, as the mind learns to take pleasure or stress from external cues. Psilocybin seems to help restore the brain to a pre-addicted state.
Psilocybin Treatment: Safety Concerns
Psilocybin Treatment: Safety Concerns
While psilocybin therapy has shown immense promise to heal mental wounds, we would strongly recommend restricting its use to a clinical setting. There are physical and psychological risks that go hand in hand with the benefits of psychedelic therapies, and in many jurisdictions, you can be arrested and incarcerated for use or possession of these substances. Michael Pollan notes that in all societies that used psychedelic substances, ranging from the Amazon to ancient Greece, they were always used with “deliberateness and care.” He writes that these substances “were not taken alone but usually in a group under the direction of an elder or shaman familiar with the mental territory, and they were used only on certain occasions, surrounded by ritual and with a clear intention. There was nothing casual about it.” All would be wise to maintain this level of caution as they experiment with their immense potential.
To find out more about what psilocybin therapy can do for you, contact us now!
3rd November 2020 • Sticky Post
Opioid Replacement Therapy: Weighing the Costs/Benefits
Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT) is a way to lessen the impact of addiction to opiates and opioids by replacing dangerous drugs like fentanyl and heroin with legal, long-acting, non-euphoric drugs such as methadone and suboxone. Advocates cite a host of benefits that can be obtained through Opioid Replacement Therapy, including reducing the risk of HIV transmission, overdoses, and crime, while helping the addicted to hold down jobs and maintain functional relationships. Opioid Replacement Therapy also theoretically keeps individuals in treatment by reducing the symptoms of withdrawal and the cravings for illicit drugs. It sounds appealing, and methadone has been a popular treatment for years. The World Health Organization has labeled it an essential medicine, and it’s used without question by health-care providers the world over (almost 50,000 kgs. of it are manufactured every year). But is ORT really the best way to treat opioid addiction?
Methadone: Pros and Cons
Opioid replacement therapy: weighing the pros and cons
As a long-acting opioid, as well as an opioid agonist, methadone ensures that the user typically needs a single daily or bi-daily dose and that they cannot experience highs even if they use other opioid drugs. This allows those who use the substance to return their lives to some sort of normality. Since most users are obtaining a single dose every 24-48 hours in an outpatient setting, they are free to go about their daily business unencumbered from intoxication or the need to secure more drugs. Furthermore, enrollment in an opioid replacement program generally nudges the user towards meaningful interactions with the health-care system which can successfully steer them towards a more complete recovery.
A study from Harvard University’s medical school found that approximately 25% of methadone users would successfully wean themselves from the substance over the long-term, 25% would continue using it indefinitely, and 50% would eventually return to their previous addiction. A 2009 study from the Cochrane Review concluded that methadone treatment increases the chance of successful treatment outcomes by helping to retain patients in treatment and that it decreases heroin use compared to programs that don’t offer opioid replacement therapy. The study also found that methadone didn’t actually decrease the risk of mortality or prevent criminality in a statistically significant way.
While methadone programs offer some substantial benefits to those grappling with addiction, they come with substantial side-effects and risks. Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, sexual dysfunction, slowed breathing, and itchy skin, and there is some evidence that prolonged use can cause a number of lung and respiratory issues. Meanwhile, neuroscientists are still discovering the effects methadone use has on the brain, as experiments with rats have shown that a three-week course of methadone led to a “significant” – 70 percent – reduction of a signal molecule that supports memory and learning in the brain’s frontal lobe and hippocampus. Methadone is also a deeply addictive substance, which causes worse withdrawal symptoms than the heroin that it replaces. And the risk of overdose doesn’t go away for those using methadone. In fact, the American Center for Disease Control reports that methadone is to blame in a full third of all prescription painkiller related deaths occurring in the USA.
Methadone has helped many addicts by acting as a first step towards recovery, offering a measure of stability in their lives, and enticing them to interact with recovery professionals. But the side-effects and risks associated with its use are deeply concerning, and there are other options available for those looking for ORT.
Naltrexone and Buprenorphine
Naltrexone and Buprenorphine
Like methadone, buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid that can reduce or curtail the symptoms of withdrawal. Suboxone, the most common variety of buprenorphine, also contains a substance called naloxone, which causes serious and deeply unpleasant side-effects if the substance is injected. It is included to reduce the potential for abuse. Suboxone was approved for use by the American Food and Drug Administration in 2002, and it has become incredibly popular. In 2013 the drug made $1.55 billion in sales, more than Adderall and Viagra combined!
Buprenorphine treatment has some significant advantages over methadone. It has less potential for abuse because of the inclusion of naloxone. It has also proven to be a safer alternative. A 6-year study conducted by researchers in England and Wales found methadone was more than 6 times more likely to cause overdose deaths than buprenorphine, with 2,366 mortalities associated with methadone use, and only 52 related to buprenorphine.
Naltrexone is another synthetic opioid that was originally intended for use in pill form. The American government concluded that it “does not produce tolerance or withdrawal. Poor treatment adherence has primarily limited the real-world effectiveness of this formulation. As a result, there is insufficient evidence that oral naltrexone is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder.” However, in 2010 an extended-release, injectable form of naltrexone was approved by the FDA. This version requires a single injection per month and has been found to be as effective as buprenorphine in reducing opioid use. However, withdrawal from opioids must be completed before this type of naltrexone is safe to use, which is a significant barrier for many addicts.
Buprenorphine and naltrexone can offer a sufferer the benefits of methadone treatment, along with reduced risk of overdose, death, and abuse. However, like methadone, they are imperfect solutions that can help addicts to manage their affliction and lead them into treatment but also create a new dependence that can take years to break free of.
Effective Alternatives
Opioid Replacement therapy: weighing the costs and benefits
You may already know about Iboga’s ability to treat withdrawal symptoms and substance cravings, as well as its remarkable restorative effects on the brain. If you don’t, you may want to read this post on iboga’s effectiveness in treating opioid addiction. In addition to its clinical benefits, the substance induces an ego-free, reflective state that can also help addicts deal with past trauma and certain mental health issues.
Unlike methadone, iboga isn’t habit-forming and is extremely unlikely to be abused. There is no evidence that it is physiologically or psychologically addictive. While systematic, controlled clinical trials in the US and Europe have yet to be conducted (mainly because the substance is classified as a Schedule I drug), there are countless testimonials from people who credit iboga with saving their lives and allowing them to escape from addiction.
Iboga use is not without risk. It can exacerbate pre-existing cardiac conditions, and in abnormally large doses it may induce seizures. But even though it is often self-administered, or used in unsafe settings due to its murky legal status, it is still safer than methadone, causing 1 death in every 427 reported treatment episodes, compared to a 1:364 mortality rate for methadone.
28th October 2020 • Sticky Post
Addiction Treatment in Canada: Why Canadian Addicts Are Looking Abroad for Treatment Options
Canada’s drug problems have grown exponentially worse in the last few decades. As the opioid crisis rages on, growing numbers of Canadian addicts have been dying from opioid overdoses, and the deadly substance fentanyl continues to rapidly flow into the country. Canada has taken some progressive measures to deal with the crisis, such as opening North America’s first safe-injection site for heroin users in the addiction-ravaged Downtown Eastside neighborhood of Vancouver, but the country’s strategies for dealing with addiction seem to oscillate wildly between the progressive approaches favoured in many European nations, and the zero-tolerance policy advocated by their powerful neighbour to the south.
As a result of the country’s failure to create and implement coherent strategies for dealing with addiction, the number of overdose deaths continues to rise year by year, growing from 3,017 dead in 2016 to 4,460 in 2018 (one death every two hours, in a country with a population of just 37 million). The western province of British Columbia has been hardest hit by the epidemic of opioid addiction, with 1,525 deaths occurring in 2018. This rate means that over 20 out of every 100,000 residents of the province are dying from overdose every year!. If you’re a drug addict in Canada looking for solutions, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.
Why Portugal?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as France, Switzerland and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.
While some cities in Canada have responded to the crisis with enlightened measures such as needle exchange programs and safe-injection sites, the federal government explicitly rejected the harm reduction model in 2007 when a Conservative government renamed the country’s National Drug Strategy a National Anti-Drug Strategy. This change was accompanied by mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession, and a return to the punitive strategies of the failed “War on Drugs.”
Canada offers some publicly funded drug treatment options to addicts looking to reclaim their lives, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for Canadians without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as $35,000 per month! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.
In theory, seeking treatment in these centers will not put you at risk of increased attention from the police or the stigma of being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly, but if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate treatment, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in some Canadian communities, with studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
What's So Appealing About Addiction Treatment Abroad?
1) Environment
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment. And traveling abroad can bring a profound sense of relief and relaxation. For addicts from places like the drug-infested Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, a change of environment can be a powerful impetus for recovery. Many of the victims of Canada’s opioid crisis live amid the neighborhood’s carnage and chaos, an environment that inspired renowned physician and author Gabor Maté to write “In The Realm of the Hungry Ghosts”, a best-selling book which has changed the way we view and treat addiction. Dr. Maté argues that addiction is often the product of psychological trauma, that it should be viewed as a disease of the mind, and that sufferers need to be treated with compassion and respect, a view which has gained more traction in Portugal than his native Canada. Dr. Maté notes that “We're seeing much more open-mindedness about harm reduction and programs to alleviate the suffering and death toll from addiction. But we haven't gone nearly far enough.”
Portugal is a great place to recover from traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking, and cycling. Many Canadian visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, and escaping a harsh Canadian winter can be extremely beneficial to your mood and receptiveness to treatment. All this, while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and iboga to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into recovery. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in Canada can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals. If you think a treatment that uses a psychoactive substance is your best option, we’d recommend getting away from Canada, where iboga’s murky legal status makes it difficult to find responsible treatment providers. Iboga is legal to possess in Canada, but the substance is illegal to sell, and recent reports suggest that the government is taking steps to ban its importation and use.
In spite of our belief in iboga’s remarkable ability to interrupt addiction, we would strongly advocate against using it in regions where misguided laws force its use underground, creating potentially fatal health risks.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Canada’s drug treatment programs are underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of Canadian addicts are pushed into outpatient treatment programs. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Iboga Tree Healing House
At Iboga Tree Healing House we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff.. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering iboga treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive to new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
2nd September 2020 • Sticky Post
Group Therapy, and Why It Works
The idea that human beings are social creatures who can only find fulfillment by connecting with others is at least 2500 years old. The idea that “society precedes the individual”, or that the group is greater than its individual members is a part of most spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism. In the West, Aristotle first popularized the idea that an individual who didn’t need the society of his fellows was either something more - or less - than human. These ideas are reflected in the importance of the family as a building block for society, which is a component of practically every religion, philosophy, and sociological theory. We are stronger, happier, and healthier together than we are in isolation. Some of life’s greatest blessings are, as the poet William Cowper put it “Society friendship and love/Divinely bestow’d upon man.”
Group Therapy: Theory And Benefits
The benefits of fellowship and belonging are undeniable, and group therapy is an attempt to bring those benefits to people suffering from a variety of mental illnesses. For those recovering from addictions, the need for such support and fellowship is even more pressing. That’s why here at Tabula Rasa Retreat we have built our own ibogaine-specific fellowship community, known as the Ibogaine recovery Movement, or IRM. The therapeutic benefits of fellowship and community support for those coping with addiction and mental illness cannot be overstated. Irvin D. Yalom, author of the seminal 1970 work “The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy”, outlines the key therapeutic principles at work:
- Instilling hope: Groups will contain members at various stages of the treatment process. Encountering people who have learned to cope or recover offers hope to those beginning the process.
- Universality: Joining a group of people who have shared similar experiences helps individuals to see that what they are dealing with is universal and that they are not uniquely troubled or isolated.
- Imparting information: Members of the group can help each other by sharing useful information and strategies.
- Giving back: Members of the group can share their strengths to help others, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
- Exploring the role of family, and dealing with family issues: Therapy groups are like a family in many ways. Within the group, members will explore how formative experiences contribute to personality and behavior. This can teach members to avoid habits, patterns, and behaviors that are destructive and self-defeating in life.
- Learning healthy ways to socialize: The group is an ideal place to work on new habits and behaviors. In a safe and supportive setting, group members can experiment without the fear of failure.
- Imitating behaviors: Participants can model the actions, habits, and behaviors of other members, or watch and attempt to mimic the behavior of the therapist.
- Interpersonal learning: By conversing and interacting with other people while receiving feedback from their fellows and the therapist, those in the group can reach a greater knowledge of themselves.
- Group cohesion: Because members in a group are united in striving towards a common goal, members will benefit from a sense of acceptance and belonging.
- Catharsis: Sharing difficult emotions and traumatic experiences with a group of one’s peers can help one to let go of pain, guilt, or stress.
- Existential development: Being a member of a group can offer support and guidance, but group therapy also helps participants realize that they are ultimately responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices.
Group Therapy and Addiction
Addiction isolates the addict from friends, family, and the rest of society. It also alienates sufferers from their own true selves. One of the most powerful and fundamental benefits of group therapy is that it offers a respite from this isolation. Fellowships like the Anonymous family of 12 Step groups or the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy oriented Smart Recovery can offer addicts an easy path towards building intimate and meaningful connections with others, a vital building block towards recovering lost senses of self-awareness and self-esteem.
Building bonds and friendships based on trust and mutual support is, we would argue, necessary for recovery. Working with others restores our strength, offers us insight into our own struggles, and allows us to reawaken the qualities, skills, and compassion that have long lain dormant. There’s a reason why 12 Step fellowships are ubiquitous with recovery: there truly is strength in numbers.
Alternatives to Traditional Group Therapy
12 Step groups are amazing, but they don’t work for every single person struggling with addiction. And it’s important to be aware of the alternatives that are out there, particularly if you’ve already struggled within the confines of their rules and strictures. In Smart Recovery, the locus of control is placed on the individual, rather than a higher power, and the participant is encouraged to tailor the program to their own emotional, psychological, and other needs. The meetings also differ in that Smart Recovery Meetings are led by a professional therapist, while AA and NA meetings are led by a variety of peers. Also, “cross-talk” (the discussion of what another member has shared with the group) isn’t allowed in AA and NA meetings, but is encouraged in Smart Recovery. In spite of significant differences in approach, each system offers those in recovery a myriad of benefits. We’d recommend that everyone experiment with each, and choose the one that suits them.
But meetings and fellowships aren’t the only ways to access the power of the many. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we take a holistic approach to therapy, and we’ve seen our clients respond positively to a number of practices and activities which unlock the benefits of group therapy. Daily check-ins and sharing circles are a great way to help our clients realize that many of the seemingly intractable problems caused by addiction can be overcome and that the struggles they’re experiencing are universal. Breathwork and daily mindfulness practice also help to foster a sense of connection and community among those in treatment, while teaching the skills that enable us to listen to others and to ourselves.
Treatment and group therapy can offer those in recovery a surrogate family, a group where they can re-learn communication skills, and co-operate to overcome the difficulties of withdrawal and the struggle to remain sober. We’re also committed to bringing the families of our clients on board throughout the treatment process, in order to provide support, facilitate reconciliation, and allow individuals in recovery to use all that they’ve learned about healthy relationships to cultivate them with the people most important in their lives!
6th August 2020 • Sticky Post
Iboga Therapy: 5 Good Reasons to Explore This Unorthodox Option
There is no journey you’ll ever take in life more difficult, or more rewarding than the journey from addiction to recovery. Addiction has a host of hideous effects on your body, mind, spirit, and relationships with the people you love. Breaking free from addiction will allow you to build the life you want, and offer you a chance at happiness, health, and fulfillment. But beating addiction won’t be easy. In spite of years of research into the best methods and strategies for getting clean and staying that way, relapse remains a threat for everyone who goes through the initial stages of treatment. Conservative estimates put relapse rates at somewhere between 40-60% of all addicts in recovery, similar to those for chronic recurring diseases like asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. It’s enough to make you consider alternatives to traditional modes of treatment, and the success stories of people who’ve undergone iboga therapy offer 5 convincing reasons to try a method which has demonstrated its ability to guide addicts down the path to recovery.
1) Minimised Withdrawal Symptoms
Iboga Therapy
The first obstacle to treating addiction is the fear of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can cause intense physical and psychological pain. They can even be life-threatening. But for those clearing their systems of heroin, other opiates, and opioids, iboga therapy has been proven to dramatically reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. There is anecdotal evidence that iboga therapy can also lessen withdrawal symptoms for those withdrawing from cocaine and crack. The nightmare of the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from opioid-based pain medications and heroin have stopped many addicts from attempting to reclaim their lives. Iboga therapy can reduce the nausea, intestinal pain, restlessness, tremors, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea and muscle and joint aches that are often associated with opiate and opioid withdrawal. You’ll find that it’s a lot easier to embrace the treatment process when you aren’t in agony.
2) One Size Does Not Fit All
Iboga Therapy: 5 Good Reasons to Explore This Unorthodox Option
As evidenced by the fact that approximately 50% of drug addicts in recovery experience a relapse, there is room for improvement in the way we treat addiction. If you’ve already gone through a traditional treatment center (or two) and found that you couldn’t break the cycle of dealing with stresses, cravings, and pain with a substance of abuse, it might be time to experiment with a new method of overcoming addiction. At Iboga Tree Healing House we’ve seen ibogaine, combined with holistic therapies like yoga and mindfulness, deal with addicts who many would’ve deemed “hopeless.” People respond differently to different treatments, but iboga’s ability to allow addicts to approach their illness with fresh eyes and a sense of possibility can be a life-saver for people who have relapsed time and again after undergoing "traditional" therapy models.
3) A Whole New You
iboga therapy
Addiction creates a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. And those who fall prey to this insidious affliction are often seeking a release from the pain of past trauma, co-occurring disorders, physical pain, or all of the above. No one needs a jolt of positivity and hope more than an addict, and iboga therapy has the power to offer the addicted a long look at how their life history, decision-making, and habits have led them where they are, and how a fresh approach can lead them out of suffering. Iboga’s effects on the central nervous system include increasing neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to generate new neurons and break free from negative mental patterns. Combined with the oneirogenic effect of leading users through vivid visions of life-shaping events, iboga therapy allows addicts undergoing treatment to take stock of their lives while also generating a receptive attitude towards the changes necessary to sustain recovery and rebuild their physical and mental health.
4) A Much Needed Re-Set For Your Brain
A Much Needed Re-Set For Your Brain
Dopamine receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain control our feelings associated with reward and pleasure. For addicts, the pathways and triggers which control the release of dopamine become dependent on a foreign substance and eventually stop responding to other sources of pleasure. Brain imaging studies have also found that dopamine receptors are also linked to our inhibitions, self-control, and tendencies toward compulsive behaviour. Prolonged addiction reduces the ability to exert control over cravings, while also convincing the mind that in order to feel pleasure, we must stimulate it with harmful substances. This is one of the primary reasons why addiction is so difficult to overcome.
Iboga has been proven to restore dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state. This is the reason why addicts will be free from cravings for a period ranging from 3 months to a year following a single dose of ibogaine. While this action isn’t enough to single-handedly end addiction, it does provide a window for you to build healthy habits, and deal with the mental and physical issues which led you into addiction. It’s a mistake to believe that iboga is all you need to “cure” addiction, but using this potent addiction interrupter will give you a chance to build solid foundations for life in recovery.
5) Results That Last A Lifetime
Results That Last A Lifetime
Long-term studies on the effects of iboga therapy have been conducted in Mexico and New Zealand. The Mexican study found that treatment outcomes were positive, and drug use was reduced throughout the period of the 12 month study. The researchers in New Zealand concluded that their study “provided further evidence supporting iboga’s effectiveness in reducing opioid withdrawal, cravings and use over an extended period.” Some doctors have reported long-term success rates of 70-80% in treating drugs of abuse with ibogaine, and while responsible providers will encourage therapeutic and other treatments in order to combat the root causes of addiction, objective observers generally conclude that iboga’s ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings will offer addicts a better chance of sustaining their recovery over the long term.
We acknowledge that iboga therapy won’t be everyone's solution to addiction. But at Iboga Tree Healing House, we have seen its power to push hardened addicts down the path to sobriety, health, and recovery time and again. If traditional treatments haven’t worked for you, we’d be happy to explore this alternative that might have the power to change your life!
15th July 2020 • Sticky Post
Plant Teachers: 5 Ways Iboga Is Healing Humanity
Iboga is a remarkable substance derived from the roots of a West African shrub. It’s a psychoactive substance that is sacred to followers of the Bwiti spiritual tradition in Gabon and Cameroon, who use iboga in ceremonies for healing, rites of passage, and initiation rituals. It is believed to strengthen family and community structures, resolve pathological problems, and promote radical spiritual growth. But the use of iboga has spread around the world, especially after American Howard Lotsof discovered its utility in curtailing the withdrawal symptoms and cravings he suffered as he attempted to end his addiction to heroin. Iboga has had a fascinating history, but at present, it is proving extremely helpful in curing a wide variety of ailments. Today we’ll be taking a look at how this plant medicine is healing humanity’s ills.
1) Healing Addictions
Healing Addictions
This is the best known of iboga’s many uses. The substance interacts with the central nervous system in ways that eliminate many of the debilitating mental and physical side-effects of withdrawal. Studies have proven that iboga is capable of re-setting the brain’s dopamine receptors to a “pre-addicted state”, freeing the addict from intense cravings and acting as an “addiction interrupter.” Iboga also increases neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to develop and use new neural pathways, which allows those in recovery to develop healthy new habits, patterns of thought, and ways of life.
A Mexican study found that after a single dose of Iboga, two-thirds of the heroin addicts treated went a month without relapsing, and 4 of the study’s 30 participants were still sober one year later. Another study in Brazil experimented with giving iboga treatment and psychotherapy to 75 individuals addicted to cocaine, crack, alcohol, and cannabis. The researchers found that the “results suggest that the use of iboga supervised by a physician and accompanied by psychotherapy can facilitate prolonged periods of abstinence, without the occurrence of fatalities or complications.”
2) Healing PTSD
Healing PTSD
When taken in large doses, iboga can induce powerful and vivid visions, creating an oneirogenic state in the user. The types of visions experienced with iboga are often deeply personal, and illuminating, in that they often take a patient back through formative, emotional, and painful moments in their past. For those suffering from PTSD, this can be extremely powerful, as iboga allows the patient to confront the trauma and pain behind the condition. As one researcher puts it, “iboga has a profound ability to guide people through a journey of self-reconciliation.” Viewing a traumatic event as an observer rather than a participant has helped many PTSD sufferers to gain closure, learn to forgive themselves and others, and move on with their lives.
The benefits of increased neuroplasticity are also very helpful for PTSD sufferers. Iboga allows the user to recognize and break negative, self-destructive, and self-reinforcing patterns of thought and behavior that had previously seemed intractable. Dr. C.M. Anderson of Harvard Medical School feels that the “brain state [induced by iboga] may facilitate the consolidation of traumatic memories, the reversal of abnormal hemispheric functions, and the dissolution of habitual motor patterns.”
3) Healing Depression
Healing Depression
Because of its ability to create a fresh perspective on the problems and frustrations of life, and to let the user step outside of themselves, iboga has helped many people suffering from depression. To look at life’s difficulties with fresh eyes and experience a sense of connection with the universe and the people around you is a profoundly beneficial experience for those feeling isolated and trapped in depression. Many depressed people describe their experiences with oneirogenics as an escape from solitary confinement in a mental prison.
Depression is usually defined primarily as a state of disconnection, so the visceral sense of connection to their communities and environments which ibogaine can induce is a powerful counter to depressive disorders. Researchers have hypothesized that iboga’s interactions with the neurotransmitters governing the production and release of dopamine and other neural systems can also be a boon to those struggling with depression.
4) Healing Eating Disorders
Healing Eating Disorders
The latest thinking on eating disorders posits that they fall into the realm of "addiction", with roots in past trauma, which drive the afflicted to gain pleasure and release from pain through their emotional relationships with food. The neural processes of addiction and eating disorders are similar in nature, with pathways, transmitters, and receptors adapting to trap the sufferer in a never-ending pattern of destructive behavior.
Iboga therapy has the benefit of boosting levels of GDNF, a protein that is produced by the brain in early childhood. GDNF aids the production of new neurons and allows for higher levels of neuroplasticity, which is immeasurably helpful with creating and sustaining new habits and patterns of decision making and behavior. This can make a world of difference as anorexics, bulimics, and compulsive eaters strive to fundamentally alter their toxic relationships with food.
5) Healing Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are understood as a problem in your brain’s wiring which causes extreme sensations of fear, panic, and uneasiness in everyday situations. Researchers speculate that they can be caused by genetics, environment, stress, or any combination thereof. But the mental symptoms can also have physical manifestations, like dizziness, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. Many sufferers are terrified of leaving their houses or participating in normal social situations. Iboga’s ability to reset abnormalities in brain function has helped many suffering from anxiety disorders, and while there have yet to be many formal studies of the treatment, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that iboga can help.
A Plant Teacher
Iboga can awaken spirituality and build communities, but it can also help us in a number of other ways. Its profound, life-altering effects on the brain can bring healing to millions looking to ease their suffering. As clinical trials of 18-MC (a non-toxic iboga analog which would not have the psychoactive effects of traditional iboga) proceed, we might be getting closer to unleashing the healing potential of this amazing plant! Let Iboga Tree healing House show you how today!
2nd July 2020 • Sticky Post
Addiction Treatment in the USA: Why Are So Many Addicts Looking Abroad For Treatment Options?
America’s drug problem has gotten exponentially worse in the past two decades. As the opioid crisis rages on, the USA has stubbornly clung to an outmoded and ineffective method of dealing with addiction and the addicted. Unlike many other first-world countries, who have followed Portugal in adopting an approach based on the principles of harm-reduction, America still takes a reactionary “zero-tolerance” approach to drug use. Staggering numbers of US addicts are incarcerated for drug offenses, and while the country is beginning to explore new approaches to dealing with its substance abuse crisis, significant change doesn’t appear to be imminent.
As a result, the country has become a poster-child for the failure of the “war on drugs.” Their archaic drug policy comes under criticism from pundits, social scientists, think tanks, and politicians all over the political spectrum for squandering public funds, destroying lives, and failing to rehabilitate those afflicted by addiction. It’s obvious that change is long overdue, but bureaucratic inertia and a fraught political climate are stalling life-saving reforms. If you’re one of the thousands of US addicts looking for solutions, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.
Why Are American Addicts Looking To Portugal For Answers?
Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as Canada, France, Switzerland, and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.
America offers some publicly funded drug treatment options, and there are privately run residential treatment facilities. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for Americans without comprehensive health insurance, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as $100,000 per month! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times of approximately 18 months! The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.
In theory, seeking treatment in these centers will not put you at risk of increased attention from the police or the stigma of being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly, but if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate treatment, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in America, with studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many communities, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!
Why look at Addiction Treatment Options Abroad?
1) Environment
Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment. And traveling abroad can bring a profound sense of relief and relaxation. Portugal is a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking and cycling. Many visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare. All while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!
2) Privacy
While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.
3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home
We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and iboga to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in America can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals. If you think a treatment that uses a psychoactive substance is your best option, we’d strongly recommend getting away from the United States, where strong anti-drug laws put you at risk of prosecution and incarceration. Iboga has been considered a “Class 1” drug in the United States for decades. Although the government has occasionally expressed interest in exploring medical use, and in spite of the tremendous power the substance has shown to combat opioid addiction, its legal status is unlikely to change at any time in the near future.
In spite of our belief in iboga’s remarkable ability to interrupt addiction, we would strongly advocate against using it in regions where draconian laws force its use underground, creating potentially fatal health risks.
4) Easy Intake
When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting eighteen-months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. America’s drug programs are underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of US addicts are pushed into outpatient treatment programs. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!
Iboga Tree Healing House
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff.. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.
In addition to offering iboga treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive to new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our addiction treatment in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
24th June 2020
Addiction Treatment Trends: 3 Alternatives Driving Change
Addiction treatment trends are constantly evolving. As we deepen our understanding of neurological processes in general, and the addicted mind in particular, we discover more effective ways of dealing with addiction and helping the addicted in their recovery journey. From the 12 Step Program to the Johnson Intervention to Methadone and Suboxone, new treatments have always grown out of medical and scientific innovations. And today there are treatments that show incredible promise ready to burst into the mainstream. As neuroscientists and neuropsychologists unearth new data, the way we understand addiction is changing, and the treatments which are leaping to the forefront are those that help to heal the minds of addicts.
Addiction treatment trends are constantly evolving. As we deepen our understanding of neurological processes in general, and the addicted mind in particular, we discover more effective ways of dealing with addiction and helping the addicted in their recovery journey. From the 12 Step Program to the Johnson Intervention to Methadone and Suboxone, new treatments have always grown out of medical and scientific innovations. And today there are treatments that show incredible promise ready to burst into the mainstream. As neuroscientists and neuropsychologists unearth new data, the way we understand addiction is changing, and the treatments which are leaping to the forefront are those that help to heal the minds of addicts.
NAD+
Addiction Treatment Trends: 3 Alternatives driving change
NAD+ is a naturally occurring co-enzyme of niacin which has shown immense promise as a treatment for substance abuse disorders, as well as many of the symptoms of aging. Studies have shown that addicts generally have very low levels of NAD+ in their systems, and many of the physical and mental disorders that frequently co-occur with addiction have been proven to deplete the body’s store of this essential nutrient. Proponents of the treatment tout its ability to restore the balance of neurotransmitters, which is disrupted by the process of withdrawal, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
NAD+ was first used as a treatment for alcoholism in South Africa in the 1960s, and it came to the notice of Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, who experimented with taking 3000 mg of niacin daily, and found it immensely helpful. He even wrote a pamphlet promoting it as a cure for alcoholism. In spite of this, its use never became widespread, and the first NAD+ treatment center in the US, the Springfield Wellness Center, wasn’t opened until 2001. The facility was opened by Psychotherapist Paula Mestayer and her Psychiatrist husband Richard. Since opening, they’ve successfully treated thousands of patients. Dr. Mestayer feels that the treatment is most successful when used as a “maintenance”, and finds that many clients come back for booster doses. She also notes that NAD+ treatment is particularly effective when dealing with alcoholism and opiate addiction.
NAD+ works in theory because it creates “neuroplasticity”, the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways and heal itself. Years of addiction condition the brain to release dopamine when given substances of abuse, and to respond to stress, pain, and anxiety by treating them with drugs and alcohol. NAD+ can help to change the structure of the brain, offering addicts the chance to gain pleasure from activities other than substance abuse and to find new ways to cope with the stresses of life.
For a more in-depth article on NAD+, click here.
Iboga
Iboga
If you’ve kept up with our blog, you already know about Iboga’s uncanny ability to treat withdrawal symptoms and substance cravings, as well as its ability to reset dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state. If you haven’t, we’d recommend checking out this post on Iboga’s efficacy for treating opioid addiction. In addition to its treatment benefits, the substance induces an egoless, reflective state that can also help addicts confront and overcome past trauma and certain mental health issues.
Furthermore, Iboga is not habit-forming and is unlikely to be abused. There is no evidence that it is physiologically or psychologically addictive. As one user described the experience: “I wouldn’t recommend it to somebody who is trying to have fun. If you want your body to explode into 1000 pieces and then rebuild itself, then yeah. But don’t expect it to be pleasant.” While there have been no systematic, controlled clinical trials in the US or Europe (mainly because the substance is classified as a Schedule I drug), there are thousands of testimonials from people who credit the substance with saving their lives and allowing for them to recover from the nightmare of addiction.
Iboga use is not without risk. It can be deadly for those with pre-existing cardiac conditions, and in absolutely massive doses it may induce seizures. But even though it is often self-administered, or used without medical supervision in unsafe settings due to its murky legal status, it is still safer than methadone, causing 1 death in every 427 treatment episodes, compared to a 1:364 mortality rate for methadone. Click this link for more on the risks and safety precautions that are too often ignored by irresponsible treatment providers. And if you’d like to know more about iboga treatment, we’re happy to answer your questions.
Getting Holistic
Getting Holistic
Addiction recovery, like cancer recovery, comes with a chance of relapse. And while treatments that deal with cravings and withdrawals are a wonderful tool you can use to heal yourself, dealing with the underlying causes of addiction, whether physical pain, mental trauma, depression, anxiety, or PTSD, is the only way to truly heal yourself. This is why the American Addiction Centers’ resource guide lists a host of techniques that can help lead you into a healthy new life, including equine therapy, biofeedback, yoga, and mindfulness training. As they write, holistic therapies “offer a more comprehensive approach” that heals on “mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual” levels, “increasing the chances for success and reduc[ing] the risk of relapse.”
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we are firmly convinced that holistic treatments are immensely valuable in the weeks, months, and years following inpatient treatment. Addiction batters the body as well as the mind, and in recovery, you have a wonderful opportunity to restore yourself to health and happiness. Kundalini yoga has a host of benefits for those in recovery, connecting body and mind, building strength, discipline, and will-power, and promoting spirituality. Mindfulness practice has been proven to have a plethora of benefits for your mental health and will help you rebuild connections with others that have become frayed or broken while you were addicted. Many other holistic treatments can help you on your journey through recovery, whether it’s art therapy for past trauma or nutrition therapy for rebuilding your body’s strength. At Iboga Tree Healing House we are committed to offering a wide range of holistic therapies to our clients!
Moving Forward Together
Moving Forward Together
As the opioid epidemic rages on, we need to continue to refine and develop treatments that work in order to win the battle against addiction. Traditional treatment modalities have worked for millions, but they’ve also allowed millions of others to slip through the cracks. We have discovered promising new ways to treat this devastating and debilitating disease, and we should use them to free those trapped in addiction.
