4.+Ibogaine+as+a+heroin+treatment+and+Comparision+of+Ibogaine+to+other+treatments

Ibogaine as a heroin treatment
Ibogaine is an effective alternative drug treatment for heroin dependent addicts since it has anti-addictive properties, which were discovered in 1962 by 19 year old heroin addict (Donnelly, 2011). In the study conducted in 1962, seven heroin addicts who experimented with Mescaline, LSD, DMT and psilocybin as a means to determine the psychotherapeutic value of using hallucinogenic drugs (Donnelly, 2011). Rather than experiencing the euphoric, hallucinogenic high, the heroin addicts experienced alleviation of their cravings for heroin (Donnelly, 2011).

Between 1996 and 2000 approximately 70 addicts were treated at a clinic in Caribbean by Dr. Mash who announced in 1999, that 83% of the drug addicts experiences no withdrawal symptoms or cravings after 24 hours (Donnelly, 2011). The hallucinatory high that is achieve from ibogaine lasts several hours but is followed by a period of introspection which is when addicts claim they confront the damage they have caused themselves and their loved ones (Koerner, 1999). Typically patients feel exhausted and crash and upon waking up they feel famished and without a desire to get high (Koerner, 1999).

Low doses of ibogaine create a stimulant feeling producing increased alertness, and reduced fatigue, hunger and thirst (Donnelly, 2011). Within three hours the user ingest a higher dose of ibogaine leaving them in the acute phase which typically lasts for four to eight hours (Donnelly, 2011). This is the phase where the user feels the greatest intensity of its effects. At this time, the addict will be taken back to a time and place where their underlying issues around their addiciton arose, allowing the user to gain insight on why they use and abuse heroin (Donnelly, 2011). The user remains in control during this time and can end the negative visions by opening their eyes (Donnelly, 2011). Once the acute phase has ended the user enters the reflective and neutral stage which lasts 8 to 20 hours (Donnelly, 2011). During this stage the individual uses this time to reflect on their leanings from the first stage (Donnelly, 2011). After the ibogaine treatment, users will have two months to a year of drug free cravings which gives them the window of opportunity to seek therapy and support for their addiction (Donnelly, 2011).

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=Comparison of Ibogaine and other treatment methods= // Methadone: // Although methadone is the prominent choice of replacement therapy for heroin use, there are also down falls of this (Donnelly, 2011). Firstly, methadone simply replaces on addictive drug for another addictive drug (Donnelly, 2011). Methadone treatment is a long term treatment which needs to be taken every day for months, or even years (Koerner, 1999). Approximately 30% clients on methadone relapse within the first 12 months of beginning therapy (Koerner, 1999). The issue of illegal use of methadone and the death cause by its use are on the rise (Donnelly, 2011). In 1999, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 786 deaths related to the use of methadone (Donnelly, 2011). In 2004 the number of deaths increased to 3, 839 (Donnelly, 2011). Over the span of a two year period, methadone was associate with approximately 10, 000 deaths which did not include vehicle fatalities caused by clients under the influence of methadone maintenance treatment (Donnelly, 2011). In 2001, approximately 10, 725 people were reported to be seen in hospital emergencies for methadone abuse by the federal Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). //Buprenorphine:// Although buprenorphine is beneficial in aiding addicts to decrease heroin use, its potential to be abused is greater than it was initially thought to be (Moratti, Kashanpour, Lombardelli, & Maisto, 2010). Sublingual buprenorphine tablets are readily water soluble and have similar effects to opioids allowing using to intravenously use these (Moratti et al., 2010). The illicit intravenous injection of buprenorphine is greater than illicit use of methadone (Moratti et al., 2010). Vein damage, transmission of blood borne virsuses, abscesses, infections, hospitalization and death are some of the adverse effects of injecting buprenorphine (Moratti et al., 2010).

// Ibogaine: // Ibogaine is listed as a Schedule I Controlled Substance making it an illicit drug that has hallucinogenic qualities (Donnelly, 2011). Ibogaine was discovered by a drug addict rather than a scientist in a lab which has caused it to be condemned from the beginning (Donnelly, 2011). Physical side effects of ibogaine include ataxia, tremors, photosensitivity, nausea, vomiting, slight changes to blood pressure and halluncinations (Donnelly, 2011). All of these side effects diminish in the first 48 hours of ibogaine treatment (Donnelly, 2011). Although there have also been deaths reported after the use of ibogaine treatment, other medical history and had that history had been known, most would have been denied the ibogaine treatment (Donnelly, 2011). Other deaths reported were related to overdose from heroin use while on ibogaine treatment because of its additive toxicity levels (Donnelly, 2011). Although ibogaine was the blame for the deaths in those cases, every drug whether it is legal or illicit has negative side effects which can often be serious or fatal (Donnelly, 2011).

Donnelly, J. R. (2011). The Need for Ibogaine in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment. //Journal Of Legal Medicine//, //32//(1), 93-114. doi:10.1080/01947648.2011.550832 Koerner, B. I. (1999). For heroin addicts, a bizarre remedy. //U.S. News & World Report//, //127//(22), 82. Moratti, E., Kashanpour, H., Lombardelli, T., & Maisto, M. (2010). Intravenous Misuse of Buprenorphine: Characteristics and Extent Among Patients Undergoing Drug Maintenance Therapy. //Clinical Drug Investigation//, //30//3-11. Holistic Sanctuary. (2011, December 21). //The Holistic Sanctuary offers Ibogaine Treatment, Ends Dependencies Cold 323-606-9904//. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpl81ZPav48
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