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Iboga Blog
addiction
10th September 2019 • Sticky Post
Ayahuasca and Iboga: Choosing Your Treatment Path
Iboga and Ayahuasca have both shown tremendous promise in treating addiction, as well as a variety of other psychological ailments. Both plants have helped countless individuals experience healing, recovery, spiritual development, and personal growth. But although they are often lumped together, they offer fundamentally different experiences and benefits for those battling addiction. Today we’ll share our guide for choosing the right treatment for you.
The Journey
The average Iboga experience lasts for a period of 12-18 hours. It is generally described as a very intense journey through past memories and visions. Very few people who have used Ibogaine would describe their experience as pleasurable. Many liken it to having themselves shattered into thousands of pieces and then rebuilt as a stronger, healthier person. As one user describes it “I am perplexed by the state of clarity I am in while seeing the most profound stream of visual phenomena. I am also filled with a sense of awe at the potential for a life free of heroin. Emotional memories force me to deal with some of the deep subconscious guilt I have repressed for years.” Iboga has been described as a “masculine” substance, or a stern father which bluntly illustrates sources of past pain, trauma, and guilt.
Ayahuasca, on the other hand, affects the user for just 4-6 hours. It is generally described as a gentler, more pleasurable experience, even when one takes into account the fact that many users experience a dramatic bout of purging. Rather than prompting users to have a deeply personal inward journey, Ayahuasca often sends the mind outward, and many users report experiencing new perceptions of reality and experiencing connections with the natural world and even other dimensions. Ayahuasca has therefore been described as a “feminine” substance which builds connections between the user and those around them.
What Are The Benefits?
Many addicts have used these remarkable plants to overcome their affliction, but governments have been reluctant to embrace their potential to combat addiction. There is a lot more anecdotal evidence out there than there are clinical studies, but the chorus of thousands of voices shouldn’t be ignored. Both Iboga and Ayahuasca are clearly beneficial for those battling substance dependencies.
From the studies of Iboga that have been conducted, we know that it interacts with addiction in a few ways. The patient can experience visions and periods of profound introspection. Many users claim that this experience allows them to address traumatic experiences in their past, and pushes them to explore and understand their addiction while motivating them to pursue changes in their life.
Iboga also releases small proteins in the brain called “neurotrophic factors.” These proteins, according to Dr. Ignacio Carrera, “are substances that promote survival, repair and protection processes in the brain tissue.” They can change the brain’s circuitry and have been shown to restore dopamine levels and other crucial brain functions to “pre-addicted” levels. They also dramatically lessen the symptoms of withdrawal for opioids and opiates, and cravings for substances in general.
Ayahuasca, on the other hand, is generally viewed as a way to improve mood, make patients receptive to change, and deal with their emotional wounds. The influential Canadian Dr. Gabor Mate recommends Ayahuasca as an addiction treatment, noting that it can re-connect the addicted to ”inner qualities long been missing in action, such as wholeness, trust, love and a sense of possibility. People quite literally remember themselves”.A recent Psychology Today article lists the benefits of Ayahuasca as helping individuals overcome roadblocks, find personal and spiritual motivation, and acting as “a shortcut to talking therapy.”
What Are The Risks?
Iboga use is not without risks. There have been fatalities associated with its use, the majority of which have been related to adverse interactions with drugs already in the system of those undergoing treatment, or pre-existing heart conditions. In high doses, Iboga can also cause seizures. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we believe that every Iboga-related death was preventable, but we feel any responsible provider will subject patients to a rigorous screening process and have a detailed plan in place to respond to medical emergencies. We DO NOT recommend self-administration or choosing a treatment center that doesn’t perform blood, heart, and toxicology tests to ensure that your safety isn’t subjected to needless risks.
Ayahuasca has also been associated with fatalities. It should also be avoided if you suffer from certain heart conditions, have other substances in your system (including nicotine) or suffer from some mental illnesses. In high doses, it may increase the risk of seizures and respiratory distress, and a potentially fatal condition called “serotonin syndrome,” where extremely high levels of serotonin cause dizziness, disorientation, headache, high blood pressure, and agitation.
Continuing The Journey
Ayahuasca has shown great potential for increasing the receptivity of patients to treatment, counseling and taking on the challenge of making major changes in behavior and lifestyle. Both treatments have the ability to profoundly alter relationships between addicts and the substances they’ve become dependent on, and re-connect individuals with their true selves. But Iboga has the added benefit of dramatically reducing the symptoms of withdrawal for opiate and opioid users, as well as its effects on the central nervous system which repair and re-set the brain to its pre-addicted state.
Both of these plant teachers can be extremely beneficial to those suffering from addiction, and this is borne out by studies showing that 60-80% of Iboga users are classified are abstinent 6 months after receiving iboga addiction treatment. However, neither should be termed a “miracle cure,” and prospective patients should be wary of centers touting either substance as a sure-fire remedy for addiction. The road to recovery is long and winding, but both of these powerful natural medicines can help you on your way.
5th September 2019 • Sticky Post
Iboga Therapy: Here's What We've Learned
Back in January of this year, experienced iboga aficionado and Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance Executive Director Jeremy Weate sat down with Third Wave to discuss important lessons learned during the opening of our premiere ibogaine treatment facility in Portugal.
Having experienced the realities of providing Iboga treatment to persons in varied states of physical/mental health, and knowing the dangers inherent in our chosen field, we felt, it was worth recounting the hard-won lessons we’ve learned for all those who might follow in our footsteps.
That’s why we’ve decided to revisit 7 of the most important lessons we’ve learned with Iboga Tree Healing House Founder Alvaro De Ferranti to delve a little bit deeper into what administering iboga to dozens of clients has taught us thus far, and how we have learned to address each issue to minimize the risk.
1) Safety
Nothing is more important than the safety of our clients. There are often difficult choices to be faced in determining iboga dosage. Experience has taught us that conservative dosing is a must, even if clients are sometimes disappointed in the lack of a visionary experience. We feel that every death associated with Iboga use has been preventable, and we will do whatever it takes to keep our clients alive and well.
How do we at Iboga Tree Healing House determine ibogaine dosage for our clients? We’ll let Alvaro take it from here:
“There are recommended doses in the GITA literature (www.ibogainealliance.com) which we use as a guideline. We tend to dose women less than men, and clients in poor physical shape less than those who are in good form. However, dosing has a lot to do with factors that go well beyond body weight which tends to be the standard marker for dosing. We look at the individual holistically. We aim to understand their whole physical condition, their medical history, their family medical history, their experience (if any, with entheogens), the substance(s) they consume, and of course their psychological state. Safety being our priority, dosing, although medical in its approach, is intuitive, and only experience can forge this relationship with our dosing regimen."
2) Emergency Planning
Emergency planning is vital. We at ITHH quickly learned the importance of thoroughly going through our emergency plan before treating every single client. If a cardiac incident occurs, every second is vital, and we need to be ready to jump into action. It doesn’t feel good to call an ambulance, but we’d rather call a million ambulances than a single hearse. The Iboga community is understandably anxious about publicizing adverse health outcomes, but medicalization, regulation, and legitimization should be our goals, and transparency is the best way to achieve them.
Here’s how Alvaro and Iboga Tree Healing House's medical staff have planned for potential emergencies to ensure that we are prepared for any medical eventuality:
“Safety being our primary concern, we take emergency planning very seriously. On treatment day, we undertake an emergency drill as if it were our very first drill. We do this without fail. The on-duty team get together, each person is handed a role, and we act out our emergency plan. Whenever we have had any issues, our emergency plan has kicked in and we have managed to avert disaster. We will never compromise on the importance of our emergency plan. The planning is client-centric and starts well before this drill. By this time, we understand the client fully, and are clear on what issues we may face, and as a result, we prepare accordingly.
In the room, we have a continuous heart monitor, defibrillator, pacer, oxygen, oximeter, blood pressure measuring machine, supporting oral and iv medication (like diazepam), crash cart, and all ACLS medication and supporting items like geddels for non-invasive assisted breathing.
We have safety covered.”
3) Cautious Dosing
Flood dosing does not work for everyone. Some brains and bodies can withstand a heavy dose of iboga (20mg/kg and up) but others can’t. Re-setting the addicted brain doesn’t require a flood dose, and you can experience the benefits of treatment without taking unnecessary risks.
Here’s why we at Iboga Tree Healing House always defer to qualified medical staff when determining iboga dosage, regardless of what clients might request:
“Clients do not determine doses. This is a medical decision. I must stress, that even if a client has had an iboga flood in the past, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will react the same way as their previous time, and they may well not be suitable for a flood the next time around. Again, experience will determine what is best.”
4) Honesty
It’s important to be realistic and honest about what Iboga can and can’t do. Like many in the community, we’ve been outspoken advocates for Iboga’s utility in treating addiction. But we’ve learned that it’s essential to let our clients know that Iboga is an addiction interrupter and not a cure. We always emphasize that other tools are necessary to maintain recovery over the long term. We are also aware that the iboga journey is not widely understood, and that misinformation about iboga is all too common. While skepticism is often indeed a healthy reaction to a new idea, it can also hold one back at times. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we’ve learned to provide all the information we can and let our prospective clients make their own decisions about whether our program is right for them.
Here’s how we address fear-based skepticism about iboga treatment:
“Skepticism is often based on fear. Fear of the unknown. We provide tools and information to help clients get over their fears. By the time we have helped the client understand their pending ‘initiation’, skepticism is a faded memory. We have never treated anyone who was a skeptic by the time they entered the doors of Iboga Tree Healing House. We have several testimonials online to vouch for the effectiveness of our program. Iboga is one of many tools we use to help people move forward in their lives, to help them discover the deep-rooted issues that trigger their addictions, and their self-limiting beliefs, and help remove those blockages to open up the door to the ‘good life’.”
5) The Holistic Way
Experience has taught us that we can fight addiction most effectively by combining Iboga treatment with holistic therapies and conventional modalities. We’ve seen firsthand the benefits of talk therapy and peer support, and while we’re enthusiastic proponents of energetic, holistic treatments and Iboga therapy, we feel that combining all three methods is the most effective way to end the cycle of addiction. Taking iboga by itself and shirking the other aspects of a robust, holistic recovery plan will accomplish very little.
Here’s how a holistic program of recovery can help to ensure long-term recovery:
“Often, the lingering memories of a client’s stay at Iboga Tree Healing House revolve around what happened in the therapy room and beyond. Our therapies, even if there may have been resistance at the beginning, are the disciplines clients take home with them, not just as memories, but to implement into their essential daily practice, their lifeline.”
6) Preparation
Pre-treatment is an essential building block for success. We’ve learned that postponing treatment when our clients aren’t ready is a necessary step for achieving positive results. We employ a narrative approach to lead our clients away from their addicted selves and portray the iboga experience as a hero’s journey. We feel this helps clients establish and entrench their vision of a substance-free life and gives them their best chance at success.
Here’s why Alvaro believes pre-treatment to be an integral aspect of any successful iboga treatment experience:
“Pre-treatment therapy, although not a mandatory prerequisite to join our program, it is an essential component for the client to get the most out of their Iboga treatment. As we’ve said many times, Iboga is not an instant cure-all but is the most profound catalyst to change. It is unrivaled in its ability to take away withdrawals and create a pre-addicted state brain reset, however, its success is dependent on how one prepares for and integrates the ibogaine experience. Pre-therapy is conducted by our in-house therapy team. We know, those that undertake pre-treatment, are more likely to benefit from the experience.”
7) Aftercare
The importance of aftercare for those who’ve completed iboga treatment cannot be overemphasized. One of our favorite parts of conventional addiction treatment is the fellowship and peer support created by 12 Step group meetings and mentorships. We’ve tried to build a similar structure with our own weekly support meetings. Our goal is to build and sustain a self-supporting community of people who have recovered through Iboga.
Here’s how 12-step fellowships can help to keep one’s recovery journey on the right path:
“During their time at Iboga Tree Healing House, clients are informed on what support groups are out there. From 12 Steps to SMART (there are so many these days). We don’t recommend it, we simply inform of what is on offer. Support is support, if it works for you, then great, if it doesn’t, look for another group or organization. We help them research which fellowships are available close to home so they can hit the ground running. Other than this, every client is invited to join the IRM for life. The IRM is our very own online fellowship, the Ibogaine Recovery Movement. And, like all grassroots movements, it is building momentum.”
It’s worth noting, however, that Iboga remains stigmatized in many 12-step circles, something Alvaro hopes will change in the very near future:
“Some of our clients have indeed suffered from skepticism, judgment, and hostility at 12 Step and SMART meetings. Unfortunately, some attendees are rather closed-minded. I’ve found, however, that if you persist, keep showing up, share your story, gradually it all turns to acceptance.
Funnily enough, I got sacked by my one and only NA sponsor for not informing him that I had taken a ‘drug’ to get off drugs. Little did he know, Iboga is not a drug, it’s a medicine. At the time I was full of resentment, but now I understand that education is so important, and slowly slowly, some of the more closed groups will gradually open up. It won’t be long before there is an ‘iboga initiate’ in every meeting! This is why we are exhibiting at the iCCAD conference in London, to educate, to inform, to make some noise!”
Iboga Tree Healing House (Alvaro’s 2 cents) 
“Tabula Rasa Retreat is not just an Ibogaine treatment centre, it is so much more. We have worked tirelessly, from first-hand addiction experiences to in-depth medical research, to speaking to leading experts around the world, to learning on the job, to find that magic formula. We discovered, there is no magic formula! Addiction is a complex disease and requires tackling from multiple angles. As mentioned earlier, Iboga is an important tool in the toolbox of addiction treatment. As we research further and learn more, we will keep adding to that box. Not one client is the same; it makes perfect sense that a bespoke approach is required to help in the best way we can. We never rest on our laurels.”
14th August 2019
Addiction Recovery: Where Does Iboga Fit?
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already heard about iboga’s remarkable capabilities to interrupt addiction, minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and re-set important neural functions to a pre-addicted state. Iboga has allowed many addicts to regain control of their lives, but it is unlikely that a single dose will allow you to live a healthy, substance misuse-free life all by itself. Let’s explore iboga’s role in the journey from addiction to recovery, and complementary treatments that can dramatically improve the odds of long-term recovery.
Iboga: What it Can (And Can't) Do
Iboga eliminates the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal and resets the brain’s reward system circuitry to pre-addiction levels. It is also very effective in treating stimulant addiction, as the changes it makes to dopamine receptors in the brain change the way you experience pleasure. Iboga interrupts the toxic patterns of addiction for 3-6 months, the amount of time the metabolite noribogaine stays in your system.
Iboga is not a cure-all or a magic bullet, and its effects will eventually wear off. But it does offer the user a substantial window of time without physical or mental drug cravings. If used wisely, it can offer you the time necessary to prepare for and adapt to life without drugs or alcohol. Iboga is a powerful tool for those battling addiction, but if you are serious about changing your life, it will be part of a multi-faceted treatment plan.
The Truth About Addiction
The more deeply we study addiction, the closer we come to an understanding that the affliction is a response to pain and trauma. In an interview with The Guardian, the influential Canadian author and doctor Gabor Mate defines addiction as “ any behaviour that gives a person temporary relief and pleasure, but also has negative consequences, and to which the individual will return time and again. At the heart of Mate’s philosophy is the belief that there’s no such thing as an “addictive personality”. And nor is addiction a “disease”. Instead, it originates in a person’s need to solve a problem: a deep-seated problem.”
To successfully treat addiction, we need to address the trauma and pain that are driving people to abuse drugs and alcohol. As Mate states, “the primary drive [of addiction] is to regulate your situation to something more bearable.” Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy have been proven to help many addicts find ways to manage their thoughts and emotions without resorting to chemical crutches. By addressing and learning to cope with the traumas that have driven you to addiction, you can find a way to live happily in spite of your psychic scars.
Addiction And The Family
Addiction can isolate individuals from the people who love them, but there’s no need for the recovery process to keep them apart. Studies have shown that family support has a positive impact on recovering addicts, and increasing numbers of treatment providers are beginning to leverage the power of involving loved ones in the journey to sobriety. Recovery Centers of America have implemented a program to contact families upon intake, brief them on what to expect during the treatment process, and initiate family therapy sessions during inpatient treatment. Helping addicts to use family support to deal with the pain caused by addiction can be incredibly beneficial to those in recovery!
Planning For Success
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have noticed that preparation is crucial for positive treatment outcomes. This means that getting pre-treatment counseling, setting realistic goals, and making solid plans for after-care are necessary steps on your journey. Studies have shown that those who enter pre-treatment programs have a “higher show rate…higher satisfaction with participation in treatment activities, higher rates of treatment completion with staff approval, [and] higher rates of long-term recovery satisfaction at all follow-up periods.”
Aftercare has also been proven to greatly decrease the chance of relapse, which is estimated to occur for between 37% and 56% of all those in substance abuse recovery. Aftercare plans should include outpatient treatment, group counseling, individual counseling, and 12 step programs. Aftercare programs are crucial for developing the ability to avoid triggers and learning to nurture your fragile sobriety on your own. They will also help to let you know when you might be at risk for relapse, which is usually preceded by certain behaviors and thought processes.
In spite of the importance of aftercare in maintaining recovery, experts estimate that only half of those who complete inpatient treatment follow up with their after-care plans, and even fewer people complete them. In fact, the American Society of Addiction Medicine reports that those who complete withdrawal programs but don’t follow up with after-care have “overall relapse rates that approach 100%.” And many studies have found that in addition, the duration of treatment time is an accurate predictor of success rates.
Starting Down The Path to Lasting Addiction Recovery
If you’re looking to begin a sober and healthy life, Iboga is a great way to start your journey. If you are looking for a quick fix, we can’t help you. Recovery is a complicated process which will take a great deal of your time and energy. The good news is, it’s worth it.
At Iboga Tree Healing House we would like to be with you for every step of the journey from pre-treatment counseling to a long, happy, healthy life. We are happy to include loving family members in the treatment process, and our after-care program includes training you to identify and deal with triggers, as well as a weekly video counseling session which allows you to draw on peers and professionals for support. Contact us today if you’re looking to end the nightmare of addiction!
8th August 2019
5 Trends Changing Addiction Treatment in 2019
Technology, ease of travel, and a willingness to embrace new methodologies and techniques are making addiction treatment more effective than ever. Let’s take a look at 5 trends shaking up the treatment industry in 2019...
1) Addiction Treatment Abroad
This is a topic near to our hearts. We’ve discussed it before in more detail. The short version is, seeking treatment abroad can offer better value for money and lower wait times, as prices and demand soar on account of the ongoing opioid crisis. Treatment abroad can also offer better opportunities for a fresh start, away from the stresses, triggers, and environments that can reinforce negative habits and behaviors. Going abroad also offers a greater sense of privacy for those who’d rather deal with their addiction away from the prying eyes of colleagues, relatives, and acquaintances. It also can allow for access to treatments, medications, and alternative therapies that are not yet legal in the US and UK, such as iboga. With high-end American centers such as Passages Malibu charging as much as $65,000 per month, it’s no wonder that those seeking treatment are looking at addiction treatment abroad to find a similar standard of care at a dramatically reduced price.
2) Emerging Alternatives
The 12 Step model has helped millions of people with substance abuse disorders treat their affliction. But it, and other abstinence-based treatment models don’t work for everyone. American Addiction Centers’ resource guide lists a host of techniques that can help, including equine-assisted therapy, biofeedback, and 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.”
Treatments that include psychedelics such as ayahuasca or psilocybin, or other psychoactive substances like Iboga have also been rapidly gaining in popularity. Psychoactive substances can have profound positive effects on those in recovery, ranging from minimizing withdrawal symptoms and cravings to resetting crucial neural functions to pre-addicted levels. They can also open the door to psychological healing by inducing reflection and insights on the behaviors and traumas that have led an individual into addiction.
3) Harm Reduction
Portugal is a worldwide leader in embracing harm reduction to deal with addiction. The country decriminalized all drugs in 2001 and has since seen dramatic decreases in overdoses, the spread of HIV, and drug-related crimes. But harm reduction isn’t just legalization. If you’re unclear on the concept, according to the Harm Reduction Coalition, it is a belief in finding ways to eliminate as many of the negative consequences of drug use as possible for both individuals and societies. It is also a move to recognize and advocate for, the human rights of drug users.
As more and more jurisdictions explore legalization of drugs, needle exchanges, supervised injection sites, and creative ways to minimize the monetary and human costs of drug abuse, people seem to finally be waking up to the fact that incarceration, criminalization, and de-humanization of addicts is counter-productive in every way. We expect more people, countries, and courts to open their minds to finding more efficient, compassionate, and intelligent ways to deal with addiction. In 2018 the UN Human Rights Council declared human rights to be “central to the development and evaluation of any drug policy”, calling for a “comprehensive, balanced, and health-centered approach to drugs.” We would expect the momentum for dealing with addiction as a health issue, rather than prosecuting it as a crime, to grow exponentially in the coming year.
4) Involving the Family
Addiction clearly doesn’t just affect the addict, it touches the lives of everyone close to them. And treatment providers are finally starting to recognize the need to address the family as a crucial part of the rehabilitation process. While Al-Anon and Nar-Anon have been popular for years, evidence is beginning to emerge which illustrates how involving the family in recovery can have substantial benefits. Providers like Recovery Centers of America are implementing programs to contact families upon intake, brief them on what to expect as treatment begins, and facilitate family therapy sessions within the first week of treatment.
Particularly for young addicts, the family can be a source of strength and support, or a cause of stress, trauma, and anxiety. Offering tools and resources for family members to become actively involved in the recovery of their loved ones can make a substantial difference in addiction treatment outcomes. We expect to see increasing numbers of treatment centers offer more opportunities for families and friends to get involved in the process of healing!
5) CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is becoming increasingly popular in treating mental health disorders, and it can greatly improve treatment outcomes for the addicted. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, CBT is far more focused on solutions than delving into problems. Fundamentally, it pushes the patient to challenge distorted perceptions and patterns of thought, thus changing destructive patterns of behavior. This article from “Psychology Today” gives a quick outline of how the treatment works.
In addiction treatment, advocates of CBT would argue that harmful behaviors are the result of thoughts and emotions that are neither realistic or rational. These “automatic thoughts” are generally negative in people who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, problems commonly co-occurring with addiction. CBT can help addicts to recognize and dismiss the false beliefs and insecurities which cause irrational negative thinking. It can also help patients improve communication skills, learn to regulate their moods, and deal with substance abuse triggers. CBT has been proven to help break toxic cycles of thought and behavior, and it can be a godsend for those suffering from addiction.
A New Path to Addiction Recovery...
As you can see, our understanding of addiction has grown a lot over the past few years. As we learn to view addiction as a health problem and increase our understanding of its impact on the brain, we are becoming better equipped to treat it effectively. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we are committed to fearlessly exploring every avenue that leads to effective addiction treatment, and we’re excited about each of these trends. We are also excited about the adjunct therapies like Kundalini Yoga, equine-assisted therapy, sound therapy, breathing, bodywork, that make up a robust, holistic, and long-term recovery plan. The benefits these can all offer to those seeking relief from addiction cannot be overstated.
6th August 2019
Honesty in Recovery: why it matters
Every major religion, spiritual teacher, elementary school teacher, and parent tells us not to lie. Honesty is a respected trait in every culture, and for good reason: building and maintaining trust is a fundamental cornerstone of healthy relationships and societies. It is especially important for those in recovery who are trying to build healthy lives from the rubble of addiction. Let’s take a look at why honesty is so important to the recovery process, and how to make honesty a part of your life today!
The BIG truth
Entering into recovery is an act of breathtaking honesty. After years of excuses, omissions and outright lies told to family members, bosses, and friends, you’re admitting that substance abuse has taken over your life. It is incredibly painful to admit that your choices and decisions have led you to powerlessness and loss of control when it comes to your addiction. But it is also profoundly freeing. You’re letting go of a dark and shameful secret and working to ensure that it never harms you again. “You’re only as sick as your secrets” is a fundamental tenet in 12 Step programs. It’s also a truth that can set you free. A commitment to sobriety goes hand in hand with a commitment to honesty!
Dishonesty: a lifestyle
Most addicts and alcoholics spend years lying to themselves, along with everyone else in their lives. Researchers have noted that lying is extremely common among people with addiction. Why? Lying, like the substance they’re dependent on, offers an escape from pain, unpleasantness, and reality itself. But like opioids or alcohol, the short bursts of relief they provide come with a terrible long-term cost. They trap the liar in a self-perpetuating cycle, where revealing the truth becomes riskier and scarier as time passes.
John Bradshaw, best-selling author of “Healing the Shame That Binds You” wrote that “I used to drink to solve the problems caused by drinking. The more I drank to relieve my shame-based loneliness and hurt, the more I felt ashamed.” Bradshaw felt that shame was a primary cause of addiction. The sense of shame that leads addicts to use also makes lying a way of life. And lies, shame, and substance abuse feed off of each other, trapping the addict in a downward spiral. When you enter recovery, it’s necessary to be mindful of the fact that you need to free yourself from dependence on dishonesty as well as dependence on a substance.
Breaking the cycle
By entering recovery, you’ve taken a stand. You’ve looked into the mirror and admitted to yourself that drugs or alcohol have been destroying your physical and mental health and that you’re ready to begin a new life. But along with dealing with withdrawal and cravings, it’s imperative that you develop the habit of honesty in every area of your life as well.
If we are being honest as treatment providers, we must admit that relapse is common for people in recovery from addiction. But a steadfast commitment to truthfulness can sharply reduce the risk of using again. A recent article in the “Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine” on preventing relapse identifies three stages common in those who begin using again: Emotional Relapse, Mental Relapse, and Physical Relapse.
In the first two stages of relapse, stages which occur before the addict begins using again, it is common to isolate oneself, avoid sharing in meetings (and going to meetings at all), minimize the consequences of past use, concoct schemes to better control future use, and start lying. The researchers at Yale have noted that many addicts are “reluctant to even mention thoughts of using because they are so embarrassed by them.” A commitment to honesty can help guide the addict through these turbulent times.
The Yale researchers concluded that thoughts of using while in recovery are completely normal. While treatments like iboga can dramatically reduce cravings, it is extremely unlikely that any addict will never think of using again throughout their lifetime. This is why it is essential that those in recovery talk to their therapists, their sponsors, and their peers fearlessly and honestly. Millions of people have normalized and developed coping skills for, their occasional cravings. These strategies allow them to acknowledge, deal with, and let go of these toxic thoughts and feelings quickly. Keeping them secret or denying their existence will only give them more control over you.
The path of honesty
The first step in developing honest habits is to admit that you have had a problem with lying. Next, we recommend that you find someone you can be completely honest with about every aspect of your addiction and recovery. This person could be a counselor, a sponsor, or a friend. Then, start keeping a journal. A journal will offer you the chance to reflect on all of your actions. If you tell a lie, reflect in the journal on why you did it. Think of how you could have behaved differently, and develop strategies for dealing with similar situations in a truthful manner. Through this, you can become aware of automatic and habituated thoughts and patterns of behavior that are leading you away from the truth. You can also explore the consequences of the lies you’ve told. Reflecting on the consequences of the trust you’ve broken can help you to reconcile with those you’ve hurt, and begin to repair your relationships. At Iboga Tree Healing House we have also seen the power of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to overcome the behaviours that keep one mired in addiction and replace these behaviours with new, better ones which increase the quality of one’s life
There is power to be found in revealing one’s true self, living in truth, and forgiving oneself for the dishonest behaviours of the past. This is the foundation upon which a true healing process can begin. Returning to the lying and dishonest behaviours of addiction is a sure way to begin the downward spiral leading to relapse that anyone working to overcome an addiction should be seeking to avoid at all costs.
Realizing the painful consequences of past dishonesty can strengthen your commitment to your new way of life. By developing honest habits and learning to deal with shame, anxiety and awkward situations in positive, healthy ways, you’ll become a stronger and happier person. It’s not just the best policy, it’s the only policy for those looking to heal.
16th July 2019
The "Rat Park" Study: 40 years later
Psychologist Dr. Bruce Alexander published his groundbreaking “Rat Park” study just a hair over 40 years ago. This groundbreaking study changed the way the world thought about the nature of addiction completely. That’s why, a full 40 years after it was originally published, it’s still being discussed, celebrated, and criticized today - maybe more so now than ever before. What was Dr. Alexander’s “Rat Park” study, and why is it still generating debate as it reaches middle age?
What was "Rat Park"?
Since the 1930s, scientists had been using a device called the “Skinner Box”, essentially a small box with a light, a tube for food, and a tube with which rats could self-administer water mixed with various substances. Studies that used the Skinner Box reinforced what scientists already believed about addiction: that the inherent properties in intoxicating substances caused dependence. The Rat Park study upended this easy tautology. Dr. Alexander put his rats in a much larger space. They were given access to toys, exercise equipment, and other rats to fulfill their social and sexual needs. Alexander found that the rats who lived in a happy, communal environment were far less likely to become addicted to substances than were isolated rats.
A Digression
Why are all of these studies conducted on rats? One reason is that rats have a similar genome to humans. Human genes associated with disease generally have an equivalent in rat genomes. Another is that, like humans, rats are a social species who generally live in close proximity to others of their species and communicate with each other regularly. Other reasons include wide availability, size, fast reproductive rates, low cost, and ease of handling.
The Study
Alexander took 4 groups of rats. The first was isolated in Skinner Boxes. The second lived in rat park. The third was placed in isolation for the first half of the study and moved to Rat Park for the second half. The fourth group began in Rat Park and were moved to isolated cages halfway through. All of the rats were given the option of drinking tap water or water infused with a sweetened morphine solution.
The results showed that rats who were in a comfortable, social environment were far less likely to use, or become dependent on, morphine than isolated rats. The caged males drank 19x more morphine than the males in Rat Park. The rats of both sexes housed in Rat Park showed a strong preference for plain water. The most interesting group was the group moved from cages to the Rat Park. They “rejected the morphine solution when it was stronger, but as it became sweeter and more dilute, they began to drink almost as much as the rats that had lived in cages.” This led Alexander to conclude that the rats preferred the sweetened water, but didn’t want it to disrupt their normal social behavior.
Alexander felt that the results of his study disproved theories of drug-induced addiction. He felt that normal humans and animals could ignore, and even use, substances such as opiates without becoming addicted. He believed that addiction was caused by social isolation and environmental stress. Alexander’s pithy conclusion was “Addiction isn’t you- It’s the cage you live in.”
The Criticism
Asserting that drugs weren’t the central problem in addiction was an extremely controversial statement in 1980, as the War on Drugs was at its height. The US government was spending trillions of dollars enforcing draconian drug laws and broadcasting ads like this one. The first two science publications that Alexander took his results to, “Science” and “Nature,” both rejected the study, but Alexander’s results were accepted and published by the journal “Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior.”
Critics of the study have pointed to flaws in methodology and implementation. A malfunctioning electronic device lost 8 days of data on the amounts of liquid the rats consumed. The isolated rats were denied proximity to rats of the opposite sex, and the rats in Rat Park had pups during the study (the effects of pregnancy and childbirth could have influenced the study, and Alexander makes no mention of whether the pups were left in the park or not). Dr. Sam Snodgrass, a Director of the substance abuse support organization “Broken No More”, argues that “You can’t do this. You can’t have one group of subjects mating and with pups and compare it to a group that doesn’t engage in these behaviors and say that the difference between the two groups is caused by environmental differences.”
A new understanding
The study, which was largely dismissed when published, surged into the limelight in the 1990s, as what Alexander referred to as “The Myth of the Demon Drug” fell out of favor, and increasing numbers of doctors, journalists, and scientists began to explore the nature of addiction with open minds. A 1996 study attempted to replicate the experiment, with mixed results. Meanwhile, Dr. Gabor Mate brought public attention to the Rat Park study and statistics from the Vietnam War, which showed that soldiers in combat zones used 20x more heroin than they did pre and post-deployment. Johann Hari’s influential Ted Talk on addiction brought even more attention to the study. It even inspired a re-telling in comic book form! Meanwhile, pieces like this one in “Psychology Today” argue that the study promotes an unrealistic and irresponsibly simplistic view of addiction.
The study remains a hot-button topic for anyone concerned with addiction. It is now controversial because it appears to challenge the “disease model” of addiction, which focuses on genetic and neurological factors, rather than emphasizing the importance of social and psychological factors. Regardless of whether Alexander’s experiment was flawed, it has inspired more thought, research, debate, and insight into the nature of addiction than almost any other experiment. Perhaps most importantly, it has also shown us the importance of emphasizing social re-integration and psychological health in the treatment of addiction.
15th July 2019
Freedom in forgiveness: why forgiving yourself and others is essential
During our years of working in recovery, we’ve noticed a simple step in the process of becoming healthy and whole once again. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we’ve seen the power of forgiveness transform lives and free countless individuals from the pain and bitterness of the past. Today we’ll take a deeper look at a wonderful word that has brought light into the lives of those who are strong enough to put the past behind them.
When we think of forgiveness, we usually think of ourselves forgiving others. We let someone’s bad behavior slide, or accept the flaws of a loved one. Forgiveness can mean a lot more than that. It is one of life’s true blessings. Holding onto and nursing all of the wrongs done to us can have a toxic effect on our physical and mental health. Think of your friends, family, and acquaintances. Now think of the person you know who holds grudges the longest, or the person with the largest list of grievances. Ask yourself, is that the person I would like to be?
“When you forgive, you in no way change the past- but you sure do change the future!”
-Radio Host Brad Meltzer
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting all of your past traumas, and all of the transgressions committed against you. It doesn’t mean that the hurt you have suffered will disappear, leaving you whole and unblemished. As Sarah Montana notes in this powerful Ted Talk, which recounts her journey toward forgiving the man who killed her mother and brother, forgiveness isn’t a shortcut to healing. It’s a path to freedom. It means that you stop telling yourself the same painful story over and over again. You assess the damage done to you (not to others) and let it go. Many people think that withholding forgiveness is a way to punish those who have transgressed against them, but in reality, they are punishing themselves: refusing to move on from a painful memory, and wallowing in it rather than climbing out of the muck.
If you have lived with addiction, embracing forgiveness is a necessary step for moving on with your life. It will help to set you free from the anguish and trauma that caused you to lean so heavily on drugs and alcohol. But more importantly, it will help you learn to live with yourself. In recovery, it’s time to admit that you have not been your best self for the past months, years or even decades. You haven’t been the person you want to see when you look in the mirror and examine the choices you’ve made. What’s truly important now is not who you have been, but who you will become.
We would strongly recommend that you examine your choices and actions before and during addiction. Identify the people you’ve wronged, the pain you’ve caused, and the things that cause you shame and regret. If it’s possible, find a way to make amends to the people you’ve hurt, and do so, without conditions, justifications, or expectations. Ask them to forgive you, don’t try to persuade them.
If it isn’t possible to make personal amends, deal with your desire for forgiveness in another way. Pour your guilt and repentance into a letter you can’t send, make a pledge to do no more harm, donate to a charity the aggrieved person would care about, or perform a random act of kindness. The intention behind the act will help you to move on.
In forgiving, we recognize a sense of inherent worth in others that exists whether or not it is always reflected in behavior. You need to acknowledge your own inherent worth, or risk sliding into self-loathing, a mental prison which is often accompanied by the self-destructive behavior you are attempting to break free of. Self-compassion is a necessary component of recovery and a cornerstone of good mental health.
“Forgiveness is like this: a room can be dank because you have closed the windows, you’ve closed the curtains. But the sun is shining outside, and the air is fresh outside. In order to get that fresh air, you have to get up and open the window and draw the curtains apart.”
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In order to forgive, it’s necessary to cultivate the mental strength to open that window. This wonderful article by Robert Enright outlines some key elements for building the mental muscles that will make forgiveness possible in his book, “8 Keys to Forgiveness.”
Forgiveness is the embodiment of empathy, compassion, tolerance, and hope. We recommend becoming fit for forgiveness to anyone trapped in the dark, dank room of addiction.
22nd May 2019
The Opioid Epidemic: Information for Parents
Back in the late 1990s, people began using prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs with increasing frequency. Throughout the past few decades, these potent and dangerous painkillers have become more popular globally, and have caused a massive spike in overdose deaths around the world. In 1999, 4000 Americans died from overdose deaths. By 2017 that number had ballooned to 72000, and over 2/3s of overdose deaths that year were related to opioid use. The opioid epidemic has seen drug overdoses become the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50. Here’s what parents need to know about this horrific threat to their children’s well-being...
Opioids: what are they?
Opioids are a class of moderately to extremely strong painkillers that include oxycodone (marketed as OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin and Norco), and fentanyl, which is synthesized to act as an opiate, similar to morphine and heroin. According to WebMd, opioids work by “binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. They reduce the sending of pain messages to the brain and reduce feelings of pain. Opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain that may not respond well to other pain medications.” Because this class of drug is extremely potent and widely available, opioids have become popular both as a medical treatment and as a recreational drug.
How did the opioid epidemic get started?
Because of morphine abuse in the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors were initially reluctant to prescribe opioids, and their use in medicine was quite rare until the 1980s. In 1980, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “Addiction Rare in Patients Treated With Narcotics” generated a great deal of attention, and, coupled with lobbying and promotion from the pharmaceutical industry, convinced doctors that opioids could be safely prescribed. In 2017, the NEJM published a rebuttal of the article, stating that the “conclusions were based on hospitalized patients only, and not on patients taking the drugs after they were sent home.” Meanwhile, the study’s author, Dr. Herschel Jick has stated that he never intended to justify widespread opioid use.
Is the opioid epidemic happening only in the USA?
While 80% of global opioid use occurs in the USA, the opioid crisis has spread across the globe, and young people are at a higher risk than others. In Europe, Canada and Australia, prescription drug abuse rates among teenagers are similar to the USA. Studies in Lebanon, China and Saudi Arabia have found that 1 in 10 teenagers had used painkillers for non-medical purposes, and statistics from Europe show that prescription opioids account for 3/4s of overdose deaths among those aged 15 to 39. Meanwhile, in the UK, 3756 people died from drug poisoning in 2017, the highest number on record. Fears exist that the opioid crisis could grow into a global pandemic.
How does the opioid epidemic compare to previous drug scares?
Sadly, the answer to this question is absolutely yes. Opioids have a sedative effect on the parts of the brain which regulate breathing, which causes respiratory depression, respiratory failure, and far too often, death. Mike Stobbe, a medical writer for the Associated Press, writes that “there were fewer than 3,000 overdose deaths in 1979, when a heroin epidemic was raging in U.S. cities. There were fewer than 5,000 recorded in 1988, around the height of the crack epidemic. More than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year [2016], according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
What is fentanyl?
Perhaps the most terrifying part of this whole horrorshow is fentanyl, a new synthetic opioid painkiller that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, and 30-50 times more potent than heroin. Pure white, odorless and scentless, fentanyl can be lethal in doses of just 2 milligrams! The drug is so potent that police and first responders have overdosed just from touching it or inhaling small amounts. It’s estimated that $800 million worth of fentanyl pills have been shipped to the US from China over the past two years, and AP reporters recently found Chinese manufacturers ready and willing to ship carfentanyl, an elephant tranquilizer so powerful that it has been labeled a chemical weapon.
Deaths from fentanyl have increased by 540% since 2015, and they account for the largest number of opioid overdose deaths. Heroin, cocaine, and other drugs often contain fentanyl, and accidental overdose deaths caused by unknowing consumption of fentanyl are becoming more common. The deaths of Prince and Mac Miller were both fentanyl-related. A US Attorney in Ohio, a region hard hit by the opioid crisis, recently warned that “One of the truly terrifying things is the pills are pressed and dyed to look like oxycodone. If you are using oxycodone and take fentanyl not knowing it is fentanyl, that is an overdose waiting to happen. Each of those pills is a potential overdose death.” The American DEA claims that a kilogram of fentanyl can be bought in China for $3,000 to $5,000, then smuggled into the United States to generate over $1.5 million. The profitability of this drug leads traffickers to adulterate other drugs with fentanyl without the knowledge of the drug user.
What can we do?
While various governments have declared states of emergency and vowed to take measures to address this crisis, drug users and their families can’t afford to wait on legislative solutions. Opioid addiction comes with a ghastly collection of risks, and we would urge anyone suffering from it to look for immediate detox and treatment. Iboga treatment has been proven to be very effective for many addicts who abuse oxycodone and other members of the opioid family of drugs, eliminating many of the withdrawal symptoms and cravings related to opioid dependence.
Abusing opioids is a game of Russian Roulette. It’s time to stop playing and get the help you need!
1st May 2019
5 things to consider before choosing an iboga treatment programme
So you’ve decided to end the waking nightmare of living with addiction. You’ve made a wise choice. You’ve also decided to consider Iboga, a powerful tool to help deal with withdrawals and cravings, which has the added benefit of restoring receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state. You’re determined to use Iboga to heal yourself, but which iboga treatment program should you choose from the myriad options that are out there?
Let’s explore five key factors that must be considered to select the iboga treatment programme that’s right for you.
1) Your Safety is Paramount
You shouldn’t delude yourself into thinking that Iboga treatment is risk-free. As Clare Wilkins, co-author of the Clinical Guidelines for Ibogaine Assisted Detox notes, asking if Iboga is safe is “like asking if electricity is safe... You can cook a warm meal, light up a room, or electrocute someone with electricity, as they say. It’s similar with iboga. Iboga, in and of itself, is not unsafe. There are both risks and benefits.”
The risks of Iboga treatment include bradycardia (slowing of the heart), liver problems, seizures, and lethal interactions with other substances. We would strongly recommend that anyone seeking the treatment thoroughly research all of the health risks associated with Iboga use, to make an informed decision on whether it’s right for them.
When selecting a treatment option, we urge everyone to choose a center that offers a high degree of medical supervision. At Iboga Tree Healing House we have a medical doctor in-house, rather than on-call or at a nearby hospital. We have a nursing team that is based on a 1:1 nurse per patient ratio. We insist on taking a full medical history prior to treatment, as well as a full set of lab results including a full blood panel, liver function analysis, ECG/EKG and more. We also monitor our patients with an EKG machine during treatment. Furthermore, every member of our medical team is ACLS certified by the American Heart Association.
We feel that Iboga use can be made as safe as possible only under these conditions, and the safety of our clients is our first priority.
2) Legal Issues
While Iboga has powerful medicinal properties, it is still illegal in a number of countries. Why? Presumably because of the risks associated with its use, and its psychedelic properties. We do not recommend using Iboga in a country where its use is illegal, because it will be difficult to obtain proper medical supervision, and because of the risk of arrest and jail time when you are at your most vulnerable. Iboga use is completely illegal in the USA, France, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and the UK. Its legal status is also murky at best in Canada, Israel and Australia. If you’re most comfortable seeking treatment in a “First World” country, international drug policy thought leader Portugal is one of the better options on offer. To date, while iboga is not yet an “approved” therapy for problem alcohol or drug use in Portugal, the fact that it is not the subject of any regulation and is not illegal in Portugal means that it can be administered legally and under the safest possible conditions there. Iboga's status as an experimental natural herbal product in Portugal has opened the door for the forward-thinking country to once again lead the way in maximising iboga’s addiction treatment potential.
3) Location, location, location
While Iboga is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of addiction, it isn’t a miracle drug which will immediately make the addict whole again. In choosing a treatment center, you should consider what types of support, counseling, and therapy will help you make the transition to a healthy, happy life. If a facility claims that Iboga is all you need, you should be extremely skeptical. At Iboga Tree Healing House we insist upon a course of pre-treatment counseling, which is vital for preparing to manage the details of life after you leave. We also offer a wide range of holistic treatments, which are essential for rebuilding positive patterns of thought and behavior.
Different people have different needs in treatment, so look for a treatment center that will cater to yours. Is the setting comfortable and safe? Do the ancillary treatment options sound like they’ll work for you? Does the center have a history of providing adequate aftercare, and a proven track record for safety? Take the time to find answers to these questions. They can be the difference between life and death.
4) Value
Hopefully, you’ve already realized that the cheapest options available might not be right for you. You’ll probably need to travel to another country to use Iboga legally. Once again, we cannot stress enough that the cost of guaranteeing adequate medical supervision is essential for your health and safety. While treatment may seem expensive, addiction is incredibly costly for you and your family, and spending a little more to ensure a successful outcome will pay off immeasurably in the future.
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we strive to keep your costs low, but we know that cheaper treatment options do exist. We spend a large part of our revenues on a full team of medical and therapy professionals who are deeply committed to your safety and well-being. We are convinced that it would be irresponsible to do otherwise, and we recommend that when choosing a treatment center, you make sure they do not cut corners in these essential areas. Saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars by getting inadequate treatment in an unsafe setting will almost certainly end up costing you more.
5) Aftercare Options
If you’re reading this, you’re probably yearning to break free from years of negativity and pain. While Iboga is great at freeing you from withdrawals and cravings, it cannot teach you how to live a positive and productive life. Because addiction is so often linked to depression, trauma, and a host of other mental health issues, you should be looking for a course of treatment that offers you tools for personal growth and empowerment, not just detox.
A robust after-care plan should give you tools for building positive patterns of thought, trust, and self-love. It should also teach you how to deal with the stresses of your new life in a positive fashion. At Iboga Tree Healing House we feel that our range of Holistic treatments (including Kundalini Yoga, Equine Assisted therapy, breathwork, meditation, EFT - Emotional Freedom Techniques, acupuncture, massage and more) are extremely helpful in preparing our clients to live happy and healthy lives. In addition to this, we offer all of our former clients free weekly supportive Skype sessions for the rest of their lives Through self-supporting 'fellowship' is known as the IRM - Ibogaine Recovery Movement. we know (and the data has shown) that those who regularly attend meetings such as this fare far better than those who don't.
Make the Smart Choice
We’d be delighted if you chose us to help you start anew. But we also know that different people have different needs, and our program isn’t for everyone. What’s most important is finding a treatment center that is professional and safe, and gives you the tools you need to thrive in your new life. Good luck, and Godspeed!
23rd April 2019
Rehab Abroad: 5 Reasons to Investigate Your Options
With the costs and wait times for addiction treatment skyrocketing in Western countries, many addicts are seeking addiction rehab and treatment overseas. It’s a trend that has been picking up steam over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The question is: Why?
Let’s look at five of the main reasons overseas addiction rehab options are growing increasingly popular with every passing year.
1. Value For Money
Luxury treatment centers with pools, exercise facilities, and comfortable rooms are an ideal setting for adapting to a life free from drugs and alcohol. But high-end rehab centers in the USA charge up to $100,000 for a 30-day inpatient program, while medications that help with withdrawals and detox can add substantially to that already hefty price. In the UK, luxury treatment facilities charge as much as £60,000 per month. Many people seeking treatment find that they can venture abroad to receive a higher standard of care along with more comfortable accommodations for the same price (or significantly cheaper)!
2. A Change of Scenery
Successful treatment for addiction transforms the addict into an entirely different person. Many people find that getting away from the stressors, triggers and routines of their previous life is immensely helpful in developing a positive attitude and healthy habits. A new place far away from past trauma and stress can be ideal for rebuilding one’s identity as a functional and capable individual who can deal with cravings and withdrawals in a positive manner and break free from the negative mind frames of addiction. Furthermore, a beautiful setting and warm weather can be truly therapeutic, allowing those in treatment to feel more relaxed and comfortable than they do at home.
3. Alternative Treatment Options
Many alternative treatments for addiction aren’t legally available in the US and UK. Some medicines, like Ibogaine (a substance which has been found to aid in addiction treatment by independent studies in Mexico, Brazil, and Europe), are illegal in the US and illegal to provide in the UK. Rather than obtaining it illegally and using it on one’s own (a process with profound health risks), people who would like to take advantage of the benefits of Ibogaine or other addiction treatment alternatives can travel abroad and use the substance in a controlled environment, surrounded by medical professionals who are actively monitoring their experience.
Furthermore, many treatment centers in the West are overburdened by demand and have little time for holistic treatment options and the aftercare that is essential for lifelong recovery. Iboga Tree Healing House offers a wide variety of holistic treatments, ranging from Kundalini Yoga to equine assisted therapy designed to build willpower, focus and the ability to persevere in difficult situations. They even offer a weekly Skype support session that is available to clients for the rest of their lives. Being treated as an individual and not a wallet or a number is another reason why people are choosing overseas treatment options.
4. Privacy
While society’s perceptions of addiction are shifting towards seeing the affliction as a medical problem rather than an individual’s failure of morality or willpower, addiction still carries a stigma. Because of this, many people seeking treatment would like to maintain their privacy in this difficult time. While most centers in one’s home maintain a reasonable level of confidentiality, being in a different country adds an additional layer of privacy to an experience that many would prefer to keep from colleagues and loved ones. This is especially important for addicts from places like Asia and the Middle East, where addiction issues are even more heavily stigmatised than in the West. Being treated as a respected individual by discreet professionals can dramatically improve self-esteem, and knowing that a private issue will remain private can provide peace of mind to those seeking treatment.
5. Waiting Times
While wait times for short-term detox programs in the US, Canada, and the UK are generally fairly short, the wait for longer-term treatments and inpatient beds can last for weeks and even months. Dwayn Cameron, a Canadian addictions expert notes that “When it comes to addictions, there's a catch phrase we use that you need to strike when the iron is hot… We need to have it so there isn't a wait time because wait times become life and death.” Cameron also notes that the period between detox and treatment is the time when addicts are at their most vulnerable. A 2016 study found that wait times for publicly funded addiction rehab programs in the US could be longer than one year, and that over one million Americans were seeking, but not receiving, treatment. This trend is especially troubling because a 2013 study by the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that addicts awaiting treatment for opioid addiction faced an increased risk of death.
For the families of people seeking inpatient treatment, cheaper options abroad can be a necessary and often life-saving choice. It’s definitely the saddest reason that international rehab facilities are becoming more popular.
Many people are seeking treatment abroad because of innovative methods that offer addicts a better chance at a long, healthy and happy life. Others are doing it to maintain privacy, or avoid the stigma that comes with addiction in countries where the disease is still viewed as a shameful personal failing. Then there are those who find addiction rehab abroad to be their last resort to get the help they need before tragedy strikes. No matter your reasons, we’d recommend you consider Iboga Tree Healing House as an option which can provide the care you need!
