Addiction is a real issue in America today. With an estimated 2.6 million people suffering from alcohol and illicit drugs, we’re slowly but surely being overwhelmed with addiction and the consequences of it. And yes, you can be addicted to alcohol, as well as many other technically legal substances, including prescription medication. Addiction itself can wreak havoc on a person’s body — for example, alcohol can slowly destroy a person’s liver, while the illicit methamphetamine has been known to ruin everything from a user’s teeth to their heart. Addiction can also cause addicts to hurt not only themselves but the people around them; we’ve heard of how common drunk driving accidents have become, and while drunk or high addicts are more likely to make reckless decisions in general that can hurt anyone around them. 2011 alone saw 9.4 million people admit to driving under the influence of illicit drugs. With so many disadvantages to drug and alcohol abuse, why is that addiction is so rampant? While there are many factors that contribute to a person’s likelihood to develop an addiction, it doesn’t seem to be coincidental than 6.8 million addicts also have mental illnesses. With that being said, we need to stop treating addicts in harsh rehab centers that hurt more than they help. This is perhaps why ibogaine clinics are gaining popularity. An ibogaine detox is a unique experience — and could be the key to saving the lives of addicts.
What Is Ibogaine Addiction Treatment?
Ibogaine is a substance that has recently been used to treat addiction. When used by professional ibogaine clinics, it has been shown to help wean addicts off of drugs. What sets this drug treatment apart from others is that it actually has a fairly natural background, as ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in plants such as iboga. These plants, which usually grow in tropical climates, have given ibogaine clinics the key to treatment drug addiction not from a purely physical perspective, but a psychological one as well. Many appreciate the fact that ibogaine is naturally occurring, and like that they aren’t being forced harsh chemicals. Ibogaine clinics are often secluded and relaxing, allowing people to find peace rather than going through the typical stressful detox. But we’ll get into the differences in ibogaine treatment later — let’s look into what patients go through when being treated with ibogaine.
How Does Ibogaine Treatment Work?
The ibogaine treatment process is typically described as working in two separate stages. Ibogaine is a psychedelic, which people need to be prepared for before undergoing therapy. The first phase is the visionary phase. The visionary phase is described as dreamlike. This can be pleasant or unpleasant, depending on what the individual experiences, but they will be monitored throughout the process. The visionary phase lasts about four to six hours on average. The second phase, the introspective phase, is said to be the one with psychological benefits. During this phase, people have been known to conquer their fears and face their negative emotions. This is extremely important for addicts. Fears and negativity are among the main reasons why it’s difficult for addicts to end their habits, and ibogaine allows for them to confront these issues in a safe environment. In general, ibogaine creates an altered state of consciousness that is like dreaming, while the patient remains fully conscious and aware. In this way memories, life experiences, and traumas can be processed.
Why Ibogaine Treatment Versus Traditional Detox?
Traditional detox programs treat addiction as very physical things. Addicts are forced to go through physical withdrawal, often under very stark and harsh circumstances. It’s a very negative experience. Ibogaine on the other hand makes the person confront the psychological issues that make them addicts in the first place. It’s more therapeutic, and less traumatic. Ibogaine focuses on the positive aspects of treatment, because people should be encouraged to seek treatment rather than fear it.
