When you first enter recovery, it can be daunting to consider the road ahead. Especially after substance misuse, which sometimes offers instant gratification, you may be concerned about the slow rhythm of sustainable change. Some clients find it helpful to kickstart this process using ibogaine-assisted therapy.

Ibogaine is an alternative medicine, often administered in a short-term retreat setting. While it is not readily available in the U.S., clients can travel to treatment centers around the world to seek it out. If ibogaine is right for you, it’s definitely worth the trip. This experience is extremely different from most other forms of treatment.

Ad

Tequesta, Florida, United States

Futures Recovery Healthcare

(3)

Futures of Recovery Healthcare specializes in treating adults 30 years and older suffering from substance use, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorde...

$29,500 - $82,500

Ad

Vail Valley, Colorado, United States

All Points North Lodge

All Points North Lodge is a comprehensive wellness and personal development campus specializing in addiction, trauma, and mental health.

$49,000-$200,000

Ad

Malibu & Los Angeles, California

Oro House Recovery

Oro House provides compassionate treatment focused on connection and a full continuum of services. Voted California's Best Addiction Treatment Center of 2021 by...

$30,000-90,000/month

Ad

Canton, Massachusetts, United States

Bedrock Recovery Center

(1)

Located on 6 acres of greenery, Bedrock Recovery Center is a hotel-style rehab providing trauma-informed and evidence-based treatment plans for adults.

Ad

San Clemente, California, United States

Chapters Capistrano

Located in sunny Southern California, Chapters Capistrano provides holistic, evidence-based treatment for substance abuse and addiction.

$39,500 (Insurance Accepted)

Ad

Los Angeles, California, United States

Hollywood Hills Recovery

(3)

Nestled in the private hills of Los Angeles, Hollywood Hills Recovery is a boutique substance abuse treatment center offering holistic care.

$30,000+/month (Insurance Accepted)

Ad

Houston, Texas, United States

J. Flowers Health Institute

(13)

J. Flowers Health Institute provides personalized, concierge care, for busy professionals, adolescents and young adults, and highly complex individuals.

$49,500 - $129,000

Ad

Raymond, Illinois, United States

Lincoln Recovery

Located in the countryside, Lincoln Recovery takes an evidence-based approach to treatment, offering onsite detox, individualized programming and luxurious priv...

$25,000 - $35,000

Ad

Dana Point, California, United States

Monarch Shores

Monarch Shores offers luxury housing with beautiful ocean views and individualized addiction treatment in Southern California.

$34,500

Ad

Malibu, California, United States

Rise in Malibu

(1)

A 5-star Yelp-rated Luxury Treatment Center in Malibu, offering a majestic ocean view, 1-1 doctorate-level therapy sessions, and private ensuite rooms.

$90,000 (Insurance Accepted)

Ad

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Sierra Tucson

Using an innovative treatment program called The Sierra Model, Sierra Tucson has been rated one of the region’s top-ranking hospitals by U.S. News.

$20,000-$45,000

Ad

Newport Beach, California, United States

Sierra by the Sea

With multiple facilities strategically located on magnificent Newport Beach, Sierra by the Sea provides gender-specific, primary and long-term treatment.

$16,500-$33,000

Ad

Ashby, Massachusetts, United States

Spring Hill Recovery Center

A 70-acre secluded retreat offering tailored treatment plans, evidence-based therapies, and a family-like atmosphere in the Massachusetts woodlands.

$22,000 - $31,000 (Insurance Accepted)

Ad

Florida, USA

Tikvah Lake Recovery

Tikvah Lake Recovery is an extremely personalized executive treatment center for those who seek the ultimate in treatment, privacy, and luxurious comfort.

$60,000–$85,000 per month

Ad

Hollywood, Florida, United States

United Recovery Project

A multi-structured program that offers gender-specific residential housing and personal treatment plans.

$30,000-$60,000 (Insurance Accepted)

What is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive alkaloid, found in the West African iboga shrub. In small doses, it is a mild stimulant; in large doses, it can produce a dreamlike psychoactive state. This medicine has a long history, and has historically been used in healing and initiation ceremonies by members of the Bwiti religion.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is exploring ibogaine as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, especially opiate misuse. According to their experts, “People with problematic substance use have found that larger doses of ibogaine can significantly reduce withdrawal from opiates¹ and temporarily eliminate substance-related cravings.”

Experts have found that ibogaine can have both psychological and physiological benefits. It is sometimes administered at the beginning of a client’s detox process, because it “diminishes opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings.”² Research suggests that ibogaine and its analogs “potently promote neuronal growth,” and also produce “antidepressant-like behavioural responses.” Because of this, its effects may be beneficial for clients with a variety of mental health diagnoses.

The Uses of Ibogaine

This versatile treatment is especially useful for clients at the beginning of their recovery process. According to Álvaro de Ferranti, Founder of Tabula Rasa Retreat, “It is not necessary to detox off drugs before an ibogaine treatment, particularly heroin…Ibogaine does take away heroin withdrawals instantly.” It’s important to note, however, that clients detoxing from alcohol or benzodiazepine misuse should taper off before beginning this treatment. Make sure to talk to your team of providers about your medical history, in order to avoid any serious side effects.

In addition to opiates, ibogaine is “also known to arrest cravings and addictions to stimulants such as crack cocaine and meth,” Ferranti continues. “It can also help people with dual disorders, mental disorders, and people who simply want to enhance their life spiritually and find answers and come back to self-love.” In particular, research supports the use of ibogaine for certain mental health concerns.

Opioid Misuse

In the Western world, this treatment is best-known for its effect on recovery from opiate misuse. It alleviates most withdrawal symptoms, making detox faster and less uncomfortable. Clients also experience long-term benefits.

In one study, conducted by MAPS, “Results showed the most improvement in drug use at one month with 50% of participants reporting no opioid use during the previous 30 days. Ibogaine was associated with substantial reductions in opioid withdrawal symptoms³ and drug use in participants and may provide a useful prototype for development of innovative pharmacotherapy of addiction.”

Cocaine and Stimulant Misuse

According to the team of providers at Iboga Quest, a treatment facility in Mexico, “cocaine addiction appears to respond very well to ibogaine treatment⁴ when coupled with proper preparation and after-care.” This finding is aligned with preliminary data from formal research.

In one retrospective study, subjects who had been treated for “cocaine dependence,⁵ almost none of whom used opioids, reported a median relapse-free interval of 5.5 months following single doses of ibogaine.” Ibogaine’s influence on the risk of relapse may be caused by its other psychological benefits.

Another study, which specifically focused on people in recovery from cocaine misuse, found that clients “patients benefited from the treatment in all the secondary outcomes, reporting decreases in craving and improvements in personal relationships, quality of life, and self-efficacy, thus supporting existing notions that treatments combining ibogaine and psychotherapy do have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of substance use disorders.”⁶

PTSD

Many people in recovery present with co-occurring disorders, meaning that they have both substance use disorders and additional mental health diagnoses. In particular, it’s quite common for clients to have PTSD. This condition has a complex relationship with substance misuse. Some clients turn to substances in order to self-medicate its symptoms, and others develop PTSD due to experiences they have while using substances.

Ibogaine⁷ has been shown to have a positive impact on clients with this condition. One study, conducted with military veterans, found that treatment “may offer a rapid and robust, and well-tolerated, treatment option for those suffering from a variety of psychiatric and cognitive symptoms,” and specifically for symptoms related to PTSD.

Depression

Promising research is currently being done into ibogaine as a treatment for depression. Scientists began by creating an analog of ibogaine, intended to have similar effects. This medicine, called tabernanthalog (or TBG), “appears to relieve depression and addiction⁸ symptoms without producing hallucinations or other dangerous side effects.”

Although much more research is needed into the effects of TBG, some healthcare providers already support success using ibogaine to treat depression. According to the team at Tabula Rasa Retreat, “ibogaine can lead to an increase in serotonin levels in the brain, leading to a sense of wellbeing and possibility after a difficult period.” Their program caters to people with substance use disorders, depression, PTSD, and a wide variety of other mental health concerns.

The Experience of Ibogaine

Ibogaine is available at treatment centers around the world, although not in the U.S. Just like any other type of rehab, each of these facilities has its own distinct philosophy. It’s important to choose an environment that suits your specific needs.

Whatever the atmosphere of the facility, it’s important to carefully prepare for this experience. If you’ve been using certain substances—such as alcohol—you may need to detox prior to treatment. For other substances, such as heroin, this may not be required. Make sure to talk to your medical doctor and to the staff at your treatment center about the safest way to proceed.

Ibogaine induces a psychedelic experience. During the session itself, you may find yourself in a dreamlike state for up to 72 hours. Clients often report revisiting traumatic events from the past, and gaining new insight into their least healthy behavioral patterns.

As you slowly emerge from this state, you will likely experience immediate and significant differences. Rich, a client at Iboga Quest, had previously undergone detox, and later decided to try ibogaine after a relapse. Comparing these two experiences, he told interviewers, “With iboga, or ibogaine, it’s like hitting the reset button…I would say I still had symptoms, but they were significantly less—maybe 20-30% of what you’d normally have.”

Ibogaine also transformed his experience of shame. Prior to treatment, he struggled to accept himself, and was haunted by past mistakes. In an ibogaine-induced dream state, he envisioned a human body with empty spaces inside it, which he’d been trying to fill by using substances. As he explored these images, he learned the value of accepting himself just as he is.

“I always thought that acceptance was almost like admitting defeat. And [ibogaine] showed me that I didn’t have to necessarily like these aspects of myself; it wasn’t asking me to do that. But I had to accept them…these are things that happened…and even if they’re aspects of myself that were true at some point, they don’t have to remain true. And accepting them doesn’t mean that they remain true forevermore. In fact, accepting them puts you in a really great position to be able to change those aspects of yourself that you don’t like. And so that was my major teaching, really.”

The Long-Term Effects of Ibogaine

Unlike some other psychedelic medicines, ibogaine can have a lasting effect on mental health. In fact, researchers believe that it can “modify addiction-related neural circuitry⁹ through the activation of neurotrophic factor signalling.” This has important implications for its use in the long-term recovery process.

Despite its rapidly apparent benefits, however, ibogaine is not a miracle cure for substance use disorders. Experts at Tabula Rasa Retreat have defined four distinct phases of ibogaine treatment:

• In Phase 1, clients ingest ibogaine and experience a dreamlike state. You will likely spend this portion of treatment in bed, and under medical supervision.
• During Phase 2, you will be fully conscious and aware, but may be hypersensitive and overwhelmed by recent epiphanies.
• Phase 3 “begins abruptly and lasts for around 3 months. This phase is known as Temporary Freedom.” During this time, clients report decreased cravings and a lower sensitivity to triggers. It’s extremely important to remember that this, too, is just one phase of treatment. Clients should have a clear plan for aftercare in order to take advantage of this time.
• Phase 4 is also known as the “Return to Earth.” At this point, clients often see an increase in their emotional sensitivity, and may be susceptible to relapse.

Researchers have determined that ibogaine “is not a cure for addiction.¹⁰ Instead, it merely interrupts addiction.” There is a great vulnerability associated with Phase 4 of treatment. No matter how relieved you may feel in Phase 3, it’s extremely important to prepare for your longer-term recovery. If at all possible, it’s best to make plans for aftercare before you begin treatment. This may guard against the impulse to return to your daily life too quickly.

Some clients begin recovery with ibogaine, and then go on to attend a more traditional rehab program. You might also consider joining an intensive outpatient program (or IOP), meeting with a support group, or simply seeing a talk therapist who specializes in substance use disorders. However you choose to proceed, make sure that you’re prepared for the next phase of the healing process.

Beginning Recovery with Ibogaine

Although more research is needed, ibogaine is an extremely promising treatment. Whether you’re healing from substance misuse, a mental health diagnosis, or traumatic events, it may be a good place to start moving forward. However, like any other medication, this medicine is not appropriate for all clients. It has some serious health risks,¹⁰ and may cause unwanted physical side effects. Make sure you consult with a medical professional in advance, to ensure that it is a safe modality for you.

Remember that while recovery can start with ibogaine, it’s just the first step in a life-long process. It’s extremely important to combine this medicine with other therapeutic modalities, which may include rehab, medical care, talk therapy, or other options. Ibogaine is a powerful way to kickstart the healing process, and may make it easier for you to move toward a healthier lifestyle. But this experience is no replacement for the slow and careful cultivation of sustainable behaviors.

If you’d like to learn more about this modality, you can browse our list of luxury rehabs offering ibogaine-assisted treatment.

1. Ibogaine. (n.d.). Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies – MAPS. https://maps.org/ibogaine/ [↩]
2. Mash, D. C., Duque, L., Page, B., & Allen-Ferdinand, K. (2018). Ibogaine detoxification transitions opioid and cocaine abusers between dependence and abstinence: Clinical observations and treatment outcomes. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 529. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00529 [↩]
3. Observational study of the long-term efficacy of ibogaine-assisted therapy: Mexico. (n.d.). Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies – MAPS. https://maps.org/ibogaine/observational-study-of-the-long-term-efficacy-of-ibogaine-assisted-therapy-mexico/ [↩]
4. Ibogaine therapy—Ibogaine treatment center mexico. (n.d.). IbogaQuest. https://ibogaquest.com/about-your-treatment/ [↩]
5. Brown, T. K., & Alper, K. (2018). Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: Detoxification and drug use outcomes. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 44(1), 24–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2017.1320802 [↩]
6. Schenberg, E. E., Comis, M. A. de C., Alexandre, J. F. M., Chaves, B. D. R., Tófoli, L. F., & Silveira, D. X. da. (2017). Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: A qualitative study. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 1(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.01.2016.002 [↩]
7. Davis, A. K., Averill, L. A., Sepeda, N. D., Barsuglia, J. P., & Amoroso, T. (2020). Psychedelic treatment for trauma-related psychological and cognitive impairment among us special operations forces veterans. Chronic Stress, 4, 2470547020939564. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547020939564 [↩]
8. Hamilton, J. (2020, December 9). Progress toward a safer psychedelic drug to treat depression and addiction. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/09/944572325/progress-toward-a-safer-psychedelic-drug-to-treat-depression-and-addiction [↩]
9. Cameron, L.P., Tombari, R.J., Lu, J. et al. A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 589, 474–479 (2021).
   https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-3008-z.epdf?sharing_token=_v_aP4m6HpklSLriQ7hNt9RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MTwBsLC3XlYuvLqbxS1c8EyIGuIqdPD5Ybp8IFAe2WvXV12Bh5c6LmJRBQifSwO_uq_FJemy5Yn5qlTzgYtDBCmP1tRwzVN6dOzQsQ1Ol_8lbjXYtGF0Wm7kn2Khzfv4m9lHWt6rNdI9WzgVU1m7bk8USLbqx0hQyj6lDFcPBojg%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=www.npr.org [↩]
10. Ibogaine treatment and addiction: What you should know. (2016, November 21). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/ibogaine-treatment [↩] [↩]

By 

Hannah Friedman

Hannah Friedman

Writer

In addition to blogging for LuxuryRehabs.com, Hannah has written meditations for NatureSpace, a free meditation app, essays on the connection between physical and mental health, and blog posts for Cardea, an app for exercise enthusiasts.

| Published April 26th, 2019|  Professionally Reviewed By 

Rajnandini Rathod

 

 Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod on November 30, 2021

Rajnandini is a psychologist, keen on bringing awareness and uplifting the stigma attached to mental health in India. She completed her Master’s in Psychology with considerable experience with people with addiction problems.