alternative treatments for cocaine addiction?

[Pk.Sage]

I watched and read up on Ibogaine and Tabernathe Iboga. I HIGHLY suggest finding someone experienced with those if you addicted to a drug.

 

[WSaged]

However I think its important that any drug addict doesn't get it in their mind that they can't quit without another drug or another more helpful situation. The problem with this kind of thinking is that in the users mind it delays the real hard reality of quitting. They can make excuses like "oh ill just keep using until I try that jungle brew that will heal me". Or "I will keep using until I have two weeks off work to dedicate to quitting".

If one wants to quit the best time is NOW. You can quit ANYTIME. ANYONE has the power to quit using ANY drug. Once the desire to quit is there and one takes charge of their life they CAN do it.

Thank you for saying that!!!!!

I really don't get (or like) the idea around here that getting off of a narcotics addiction is as easy as just taking some other drug!!
That is ridiculous!!
Some people have been helped through this by psychedelics, but there is no magic button to flip!!
They mainly help with your mental attitude.


WS

 

[Opiyum]

However I think its important that any drug addict doesn't get it in their mind that they can't quit without another drug or another more helpful situation. The problem with this kind of thinking is that in the users mind it delays the real hard reality of quitting. They can make excuses like "oh ill just keep using until I try that jungle brew that will heal me". Or "I will keep using until I have two weeks off work to dedicate to quitting".

If one wants to quit the best time is NOW. You can quit ANYTIME. ANYONE has the power to quit using ANY drug. Once the desire to quit is there and one takes charge of their life they CAN do it.

Thank you for saying that!!!!!

I really don't get (or like) the idea around here that getting off of a narcotics addiction is as easy as just taking some other drug!!
That is ridiculous!!
Some people have been helped through this by psychedelics, but there is no magic button to flip!!
They mainly help with your mental attitude.


WS

I completely agree. Most of the suggestions I have read here aren't going to be all that helpful in the long run. Of course using xanyx and weed are going to help with anxiety but that's a great way to find yourself another addiction. The idea of chewing coca leaves or brewing tea is ok to help cut the intensity of withdrawal but a self-taper is damn near impossible. Physical relocation isn't the answer to addiction ever. Of course if you hold a person against their will then it will work but further steps need to be taken and unfortunately wherever in the world that there are people there are drugs so all moving is going to do is make the person find new connections with people they don't know in places they aren't familiar with.
You have to remember that there is really nothing you can do to stop someone from getting high. Sure you can help and you can be a friend to this guy but that is a very slippery slope you are walking there. Even people trained in this field have difficulty with it.
Like Warren said there is no magic button. The closest thing to that is Ibogaine but Ibogaine for the most is just helpful with attenuating withdrawal syndrome and often doesn't have the purported magical removal of cravings.
Getting the drugs out of your system is the easy part. Most addicts will tell you that. It's the post acute symptoms that make the success rates what they are.
I think someday there will be meds, good meds, to help with the real difficulty of defeating addiction but as of right now nothing is available.

 

[ohayoco]

Has anyone mentioned psychology yet? Cocaine addiction is psychological, so surely it should be treated at least in part by a psychologist? I suggest the book "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns MD, coca leaves, ayawaska if necessary, and a psychologist.

Iboga can be unpredictably fatal, so I wish that warning would accompany suggestions of using that plant.

 

[antichode]

There's also the very real possibility of a prolonged psychotic reaction to any psychedelic, especially if your systems normal function of creating and distributing dopamine is interupted. For healthy people its not much of an issue, but if your unstable and unable to deal with your own moods and emotions from day to day I would suggest some less intrusive psycological ground work first.

I feel sorry for your friend, Ive never known addiction like that. Ciggarettes and coffee and marijuana are the only substances I could say Ive been 'addicted' too. But they were all relatively easy to get on top of.


Good luck with helping him, take your time and have patience.