NYU Conference on Ibogaine Nov 5-6, 1999

IBOGAINE, TRAUMA AND ABREACTION IN TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE

H.S. Lotsof (1), C.A. Smith F.(2) and J. Bastiaans (3)
(1)NDA International, Inc, Staten Island, NY. USA (2)Chairman, Republic of Panama Chapter, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), (3) Oegstgeest, The Netherlands (retired)

Ibogaine, an alkaloid of the West Central African plant Tabernanthe iboga has been used in traditional religion and medicine for centuries. Recent clinical research has demonstrated Ibogaine's utility in the interruption of dependence to narcotics, stimulants, alcohol, nicotine and poly-drug use. Ibogaine manifests itself pharmacologically and psychologically. In the latter, repressed memories are accessed objectively by the patient, in a non-emotional, non-threatening manner. Ibogaine initiates a pharmacologically induced process whereby patients gain insight into the trauma underlying their chemical dependence. Ibogaine is particularly important as it eliminates narcotic withdrawal and drug craving, while concurrently allowing the patient and the treatment group to come to an understanding of the patient's underlying psychopathology. These effects, including abreaction, are generally accomplished within four days of a single Ibogaine administration. Ibogaine therapy, as other treatment modalities for substance-related disorders, will necessitate a psychosocial support structure consisting of medical professionals, counselors and self-help organizations each of whom will play a role in the patient's recovery and normalization into society.

Correspondence: H.S. Lotsof, President, Dora Weiner Foundation, 46 Oxford Place, Staten Island, NY 10301, USA

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