Drug addiction can destroy families. Treatment is never easy, both for the person suffering from substance abuse, and his or her loved ones. Can ibogaine offer hope as a viable part of treatment?
What is ibogaine?
Ibogaine comes from the root bark of a shrub in Central West Africa. People discovered the ability of ibogaine in the ‘60s.
How does ibogaine treat addiction?
Based on studies, ibogaine can interrupt heroin, methamphetamine, methadone, and other drugs. Howard Lotsoft in 1962 discovered ibogaine as an addiction interrupter. He discovered that one dose of ibogaine interrupted his dependence on heroin. In addition, he lost his craving for the substance, and that was without suffering from withdrawal symptoms. From then on, he advocated for the use of ibogaine in treating drug addiction.
Is there a government-backed study?
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has started the development of ibogaine in the early ‘90s. Based on the agency’s results on human trials, the substance greatly reduced the self-administration of opiates and alcohol, and that there was a significant decrease in withdrawal symptoms.
What is the treatment like?
According to ibogaineclinic.com, ibogaine naturally detoxifies both the body and mind, producing a solid foundation for treatment. This protects you from relapse.
A good treatment center will provide a complete approach that addresses the emotional, not just the physical, aspect of a spouse or family member’s addiction. So your loved one’s treatment will include therapy. Your loved one should also receive a customized treatment. The center should further present him or her with a post treatment program to ensure recovery.
Drug addiction is hard to treat but it will save your loved one’s life. With the potential of ibogaine as an effective part of a treatment, chances for recovery are good.