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NORMAL???? AS OPPOSED TO WHAT???You DO know that that’s how 99.9 % of addicts start, right? No one uses full time at first.You know those addicts you look down on, using IV, staggering around the street corners at night looking for johns, dressed in filthy clothes because when you’re a full time addict, you don’t have time to change your clothes, and all you care about is getting enough $$$ for your next fix.They all started as intermittent users.You do know that shit you’re taking isn’t mostly heroin any more, right? I mean, you don’t use so much of it you keep in touch with reality on the news or web, right?Because the stuff that used to be imported as heroin is now imported fentanyl, which is cheap, and on the rise is carfentanyl, which is also called “Large Animal Tranquilizer.”Yes. It’s used to sedate elephants for surgery.You’re just buying a tiny amount cut with something. It’s even cheaper than fentanyl.Guess what’s so special about carfentanyl, besides the bargain you’re getting?Your first dose is often your last!!!My daughter, in her 20’s, works for the Social Security Administration. Part of her territory is West Virginia and Kentucky, where oxy/heroin/fentanyl use is rife.She gets calls from the survivors of OD’s. Often, women leave behind babies, toddlers, and 3 year olds who ARE entitled to survivor benefits.One Podunk sheriff she talked to described his efforts to save someone from a carfentanyl OD. “I Narcan’d that lady FOURTEEN times,” he said sadly. “Nothing I could do. She was dead and stayed that way.”Last year there were so many OD’s, mostly in people under 30, that it took until May, 2017, to figure out how many people had actually died from heroin/opiate OD’s. Why? Because the coroner’s office had such a backlog of bodies that it took another 5 months to figure out that 65,000+ PEOPLE DIED OF OPIATE OD’S IN 2016.Many of them weren’t “regular” users, but only used when they could get it.There’s no good cure for addiction, and when it’s the best thing in your life, you’re not going to use less. You’ll use more. You’ll increase your chances at becoming what will probably be the 75,000 opiate OD’s in the US in 2017.Please, please, please, I beg you, on my knees, please stop using while you can. Before you can’t be Narcan’d out of that OD.I worked for more than 20 years with thousands of seriously using addicts. Only the people that got well admitted they were completely controlled by the drug. Like everyone else they knew, they were just partying.Heroin + normal life are never used in the same sentence together.Hey, don’t believe me. I’m just some old lady. But listen to what some of the research agencies on mental health and addiction to have say.Teens: Facts on Drugs and Their Effects | NIDA for TeensNational Institute on Drug Abuse is thousands of top research scientists.

How does one become a addict?Image: Deepika Padukone.Credit: Google images.John Martin Sujay's answer to What was the reason behind Deepika Padukone's depression?Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFactsMany people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.What Is drug addiction?Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.Image of the brain's reward circuit.Image by NIDAThe brain's reward circuitWhat happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:learningjudgmentdecision-makingstressmemorybehaviorDespite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:ImageGirl on a benchPhoto by ©Aleshyn_Andrei/ShutterstockBiology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.ImagePhoto of a person's fists with the words "drug free" written across the fingers.Photo by ©http://iStock.com/Winfried EcklMore good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.Points to RememberDrug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy activities, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.Learn moreFor information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:Drug Misuse and Addiction | National Institute on Drug AbuseBrain and Addiction | NIDA for TeensEasy ReadFor more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:Trends & Statistics | National Institute on Drug AbuseFor more information about prevention, visit:Prevention | National Institute on Drug AbuseFor more information about treatment, visit:Treatment | National Institute on Drug AbuseTo find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:Behavioral Health Treatment Services LocatorThis publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.June 2018Cite this articlePDF (499.01 KB)En españolEmailFacebookTwitterFooter menuNIDA HomeDrug TopicsResearch & TrainingNIDAMED: Clinical ResourcesGrants & FundingNewsAbout NIDASubscribe to Drug Research DigestsAccessibility and Section 508 InformationPrivacy NoticeFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)Working at NIDAFrequently Asked QuestionsContact UsArchivesOther NIDA SitesResearch StudiesNIDA for TeensEasy-to-Read Drug FactsIntramural Research ProgramNational Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesNational Institutes of HealthNational Institute on Drug AbuseOfficial Guide to Government Information and Services | USAGovFootnotes:Video Courtesy: YouTube.

Yes. A single dose of ibogaine can abolish drug cravings for up to 6 months, and repeated ibogaine treatment (a series of four oral administrations) was reported to be effective in blocking craving and relapse for up to 3 years in cocaine and opiate addicts (Sheppard 1994[1] ; Mash et al. 1998[2] ; Alper et al. 2000[3] ).I sure think that it would be helpful after furthering my knowledge reading The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs’ abstracts [4][5].Vermont believes in ibogaine after the idea was brought to committee from political activist and Grand Isle resident Bonnie Scot.[6] Friday, January 29th, 2016, House bill H. 741 was introduced to the Vermont legislature by representatives Dame of Essex (R), Berry of Manchester (D), Fiske of Enosburgh (R), McFaun of Barre Town (R) and Troiano of Stannard (D) entitled: An act relating to funding ibogaine clinical trials; to the committee on Human Services. [7] Now that’s something I’d like to see get enacted. Definitely those representatives think that ibogaine clinics are a good idea! The bill proposes to establish:A grant within the Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs for the purpose of studying effects of ibogaine as a treatment for opioid dependency in Vermont. The bill also proposes to establish a special fund for the purpose of funding the grant.According to an immediate release report from VFIR[8], that solution was proposed for the opioid addiction problem that Governor Peter Shumlin describes at length in his 2014 State of the State speech.The status of this bill can be found here: Bill Status H.741Also, a study[9] published in The Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 115, Issue 1, 4 January 2008, Pages 9-24 titled, “The ibogaine medical subculture” (Kenneth R.Alper, Howard S.Lotsof, Charles D.Kapland) concluded after studying all identified ibogaine “scenes” (defined as a provider in an associated setting) apart from the Bwiti religion in Africa with intensive interviewing, review of the grey literature including the Internet, and the systematic collection of quantitative data that:Opioid withdrawal is the most common reason for which individuals took ibogaine. The focus on opioid withdrawal in the ibogaine subculture distinguishes ibogaine from other agents commonly termed “psychedelics”, and is consistent with experimental research and case series evidence indicating a significant pharmacologically mediated effect of ibogaine in opioid withdrawal.Deborah C. Mash, PhD recently published an introductory commentary in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, vol. 44 that touches on ibogaine history, uses, studies, and introduces two articles included in the issue. It further solidified my belief that ibogaine clinics would help.[10]I’ve also listened to Thomas Kingsley Brown, PhD discuss results regarding the long-term outcomes study of ibogaine treatment in Mexico[11]which is also very encouraging towards promotion.Even more, I’ve listened to Kenneth R. Alper, PhD do a phenomenal presentation at the 2010 ICEERS Ibogaine Conference held at the Catalan Health Ministry which covered a wealth of ibogaine topics. While seated, he provided the clinical and preclinical evidence for effectiveness[12][13], the safety of ibogaine[14][15], and how it works.[16][17][18]Kenneth R Alper, PhD was also an advisor for this[19] 236-page scientific literature overview for ibogaine.To further understand how ibogaine clinics would help drug addicts, you can read “Ibogaine for Opioid Use Disorder: Can We Root Out Addiction at Its Source?” by Shuang Ouyang, Pharm.D., BCPS. [20] It’s learning objectives are todiscuss the stages of addiction progression alongside pertinent neurobiological changes,review opioid use disorder (OUD) and the current treatment modalities broadly accepted by the medical community,introduce ibogaine as a single source, multifaceted treatment for substance and opioid use disorder, andevaluate available evidence on ibogaine.I have read “Climbing The Holy Mountain of Recovery: One Man’s Escape From The Hell of Heroin Addiction With The Help of The Sacred Medicine, Ibogaine” by Adrian Auler where, between pages 180–185 he writes about the early trials with Dr. Mash on the island of St. Kitts, originally trying to conduct the human studies necessary for Ibogaine to be on the American pharmacopeia.I looked up and out into the vast sky over the endless ocean to witness the majesty of the rising sun. As I did so, I had a clear sense that my entire, 22-year nightmare of addiction was evaporating under the healing and purifying rays of the sun like dew from the grass. With this sense came the further, amazing realization that I felt no withdrawal symptoms, whatsoever! None!To understand how fantastical that is, Adrian writes, on page 158:Over a 17-year period between 1980 and 1997, I had tried to escape from my addiction through 11 different inpatient treatment programs that, between them, used almost every technique available at that time; but as I mentioned above, not one had a lasting, curative effect.I’ve also read, “Iboga: The Visionary Root of African Shamanism” by Ravalec, Mallendi, & Paicheler. In that, there are copious stories about the experiences of iboga from various perspectives - clinical and from practitioners. Part three of the book is titled “The Uses, Science, and Politics of Iboga and Ibogaine by Agnès Paicheler”. It gave me an understanding of the pro-Ibogaine activism in the US with Howard Lotsoff, Dana Beal, Dr. Glick, and the ACT UP agenda - among other things like the steps to declassification the American procedure for approval of new treatments, the difficult beginnings, the 1st scientific support, the 1st steps toward clinical trials, etc.The book also gives an analysis on the failure of efforts to have Ibogaine more recognized:Looking back now, we can understand why the struggle for Ibogaine failed —not only to convince the official institutions but also simply to carry the debate into the public areana. Too many obstacles stood in the way of the promotion of this revolutionary treatment. Arising out of African rituals similar to sorcery, promoted by former hippies, ex-junkies, and African American activists, and erroneously labeled as a hallucinogen, ibogaine was laboring under a bad image, as much in terms of deserving to be taken seriously as from the standpoint of morality. According to Dhoruna Bin Wahad, the ban on ibogaine is directly linked to “the African origin of ibogaine and the political nature of the War on Drugs.” Even among scientists, there are many who don’t want to even hear of ibogaine, quite simply because that would mean admitting that nonscientists, and on top of that actual drug users, had made an important discovery.In addition, ibogaine, acting as it does on a multitude of levels, is termed a “dirty drug.” “Clean” drugs, those that attract the interest of laboratories, are those whose action is narrowly targeted to one or few levels. Such a complexity of drug action implies long and expensive research. Of course, in a country dominated by private research, any study is an investment. Ibogaine has no financial interest for the pharmaceutical laboratories as it is a natural occurring molecule whose antidrug properties are already patented and are, in any case, about to fall into the public domain. Spending the millions required for clinical trials is simply not profitable. Only the public sector can promote such research. And the annual budget of NIDA, which is charged with financing public research on drugs, is no more than $60 million; to bring a medication to market in the United States costs between $200 million and $600 million.-pg. 154–155 of “Iboga: The Visionary Root of African Shamanism” by Ravalec, Mallendi, & PaichelerAh, a “dirty” drug it says. There are also studies into the metabolite of ibogaine that produces less side effects; noribogaine.[21]The ibogaine metabolite, noribogaine, and a synthetic derivative of ibogaine, 18-Methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), possess a similar anti-addictive profile as ibogaine in rodent models, but without some of its adverse side effects.- Abstract excerpt (Sebastien Carnicella, Dao-Yao He, Quinn V. Yowell, Stanley D. Glick, Dorit Ron 2010)I’ll end with something the famous rapper and ibogaine advocate Immortal Technique (who was reportedly helping open Afghanistan’s first ibogaine rehab clinic[22] said in a New York rally[23] about ibogaine:We have knowledge of Gods gift that has the ability to change the social paradigm of drug addiction. We need to come together and demand this. When something is unjust - you can't ask for people's attention. You demand it! You can't ask for this, because the suffering of the people that have become addicted. If there is a tool that can end that suffering quickly & painfully, and economically than anything available - why are we not taking it?! Demand that this happen.Leave this with an attitude of not so friendly, but AGGRESSIVE. FOCUSED. And you know that you've got something that will do good for the people. If we're revolutionaries: We cannot ask. WE DO. Feeding the Industrial Drug Complex.. This drug war is useless.. We've got to…If any of you can muster up the zeal to fight the fight for this battle then ibogaine will be just as regular as, I don’t know, aspirin!Oh wait!! Aspirin produces Reye's Syndrome!! Why is ibogaine a schedule 1? Because we're not fighting for it.Footnotes[1] A preliminary investigation of ibogaine: case reports and recommendations for further study.[2] Medication development of ibogaine as a pharmacotherapy for drug dependence.[3] Ibogaine in acute opioid withdrawal. An open label case series.[4] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2018.1487607[5] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2018.1447175[6] House bill draws attention to novel treatment for opiate addiction[7] Bill Status H.741[8] Vermonters for Ibogaine Research[9] The ibogaine medical subculture.[10] https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2017.1357184[11] Results of the Long-Term Outcomes Study of Ibogaine Treatment in Mexico[12] Scientific Evidence of Ibogaine (PART 1)[13] Scientific Evidence of Ibogaine (PART 2)[14] Safety of Ibogaine (PART 1)[15] Safety of Ibogaine (PART2)[16] Mechanisms of Action of Ibogaine (PART 1)[17] Mechanisms of Action of Ibogaine (PART 2)[18] Mechanisms of Action of Ibogaine (PART 3)[19] Page on moishv.com[20] https://newrootsibogaine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Ibogaine-for-Opioid-Use-Disorder-Can-We-Root-Out-Addiction-at-Its-Source.pdf[21] Noribogaine, but not 18-MC, exhibits similar actions as ibogaine on GDNF expression and ethanol self-administration[22] A Shaman, an Exile, and a Rapper Are Bringing a Hallucinogenic Heroin Cure to Afghanistan | VICE News[23] Press Conference: "Ibogaine For Afghanistan" Dana Beal & Immortal Technique