Ibogaine for Alcohol

Ibogaine can provide many benefits to those intending to lower or stop problematic alcohol use. Among other neurochemical effects, alcohol affect the dopaminergic systems that modulate reward and motivation, as well as relaxation and pain response. Studies in animal models as well tens of thousands of anecdotal reports have shown that ibogaine can lead to a reduction in cravings.

At Anzelmo we work with some of the most experienced medical professionals and therapy providers in the field to provide the most comfortable, natural and humane treatment possible. We also provide a number of supportive modalities including psychotherapy, integration coaching, body work, yoga, nutritional planning, and others so that you can make the most of the beneficial time following treatment.

Risk of alcohol withdrawal depends on the quantity and frequency of use, and the symptoms can range from mild to serious. For many people, these symptoms, the discomfort, changes in mood, and difficulties that follow can all present barriers to reducing or stopping alcohol use. For many people, without addressing the physical, neurochemical, emotional and psychological issues underlying problematic alcohol use, these challenges can remain an obstacle for long periods, particularly because of the availability and saturation of alcohol in society.

Many people deal with chronic pain, discomfort, or various forms of trauma, whether that is physical, emotional, or psychological. The body in this case has learned to use alcohol as a primary form of motivation or as a response to any signal of distress, and often doesn’t know other strategies for regulating emotions, pain, or a lack of focus, etc., without them.

Ibogaine is not able to address all of the neurological effects of alcohol, particularly during the acute stage of withdrawal. As a result ibogaine treatment for alcohol requires a period of preparation to avoid complications. However, there is a growing number of people who have found long-term reductions in cravings and benefit from the protracted state of neuroplasticity that ibogaine produces.

At Anzelmo we work with a number of adjunct modalities, discussing other supportive strategies that can support through the acute period after ibogaine and provide access to other services such as aftercare recommendations and ibogaine coaching services that can be supportive in retraining the body and the mind in new strategies.

While ibogaine can be used to treat alcohol cravings and many of the protracted side effects after you stop drinking, particularly because of its activity on the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system, alcohol does have some effects on the GABA system which ibogaine does not address. For those who are at risk of serious withdrawal symptoms, especially seizures, ibogaine is unable to address the acute withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. In order to avoid these complications we require that our patients are able to stop the use of alcohol completely at least 5 days prior to arriving at Anzelmo.

In cases where there is serious risk of withdrawals a medically supervised switchover onto benzodiazepines should be arranged. Benzodiazepines work exclusively on the gabinergic system, relieving the risk of seizure, but avoiding any interaction with ibogaine during treatment. Either the switchover and taper can be completed prior to arrival, or the switchover can be completed and the benzodiazepine dosage continued throughout the ibogaine treatment and tapered later when the seizure risk has abated.

We can provide any further guidance about this prior to treatment, and we are happy to discuss this information with your medical professional, as needed.