Thursday, 7 February 2013

Ibogaine Treatment Offers Help For Substance Abusers

By Terrie Joyner


Ibogaine is a natural substance which is extracted from the root bark of the West African shrub known as Tabernanthe Iboga. In the 1960's it was first discovered to be effective against the manifestation of side effects associated with opiate withdrawal. Ibogaine treatment is still used as an alternative form of rehabilitation for people addicted to street or pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol or nicotine.

This powerful, natural anti-opiate is very effective when implemented in rehabilitation programs for substance abusers. Biochemically it binds with those receptor sites which have become accustomed to binding with the substance of dependency. Ibogaine is not addictive itself and its use will not make patients dependent. It also helps prevent cravings by metabolizing Nor-Ibogaine and keeping neurotransmitters in balance. It can take 72 to 96 hours for the full effect of this drug to be seen.

Psychologically, this powerful substance also has a great impact; typically patients will go through two distinct mental phases. In the first phase, the patient experiences an "emotional walk-through" which reflects back over life through imagery and visions that help give insight as to what may have lead to the addiction in the first place. The second phase is generally a time the patient uses to digest this information and deal with any emotional issues which may arise which ultimately leads to the healing of the mind.

It can be said that this treatment approach is "holistic" because it benefits the whole person in mind and body. Physically it works to stop the painful cravings for the abused substance and unpleasant side effects which typically occur. Mentally, it permits understanding, acceptance and healing of the emotions.

In most cases, only one treatment will be necessary. Even though ibogaine acts as a substitute for the addiction substance, it cannot cause addiction itself. Many patients with dependency on opiates, methamphetamine, heroine, and cocaine have been helped by it. Its main advantage is that is curbs cravings and side effects, which is what normally makes going through withdrawal so challenging to the patient.

Some studies show that ibogaine can also help people who are addicted to alcohol or smoking cigarettes. There is also some indication that this approach may help particular psychological behavioral problems as well. It is thought that the substance has an effect on brain cells to alter certain pathological behavior patterns.

The first several hours are typically characterized by visual imagery, due to the fact that this drug is a "hallucinogen". Unlike street drugs such as LSD however, the effects are considered to be therapeutic. It is also recommended that the patient attend regular therapy sessions with a counselor to help them work through any surfaced emotions.

Although ibogaine treatment has not been approved in all countries, there are many which do promote it as an effective rehabilitation approach. Even though it has presented side effects in several cases, it is overall a safe method compared to those involving synthetic drugs used in the same manner. Patients who have undergone this therapy continue to live without dependency for the most part and are stronger psychologically.




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