We recently explored the nature of addiction, a dis-ease (meaning a condition which takes one away from ease/comfort) which, according to the British charity Action on Addiction, 1 out of every 3 people suffer from. But is addiction a “disease” in the traditional sense which must be managed throughout one’s lifetime, like diabetes, or one which can be cured if treated properly, like measles? There is disagreement on this issue. Some treatment centers/programmes claim to offer proven cures, while others take a more cautious, lifelong approach to treatment.
Let’s take a look at the arguments on both sides.
Defining “Cured”
This is perhaps the thorniest part of our question. Medicine.net defines cure as “to heal, to make well, to restore to good health. Cures are easy to claim and, all too often, difficult to confirm.” In the case of addiction, it is exceedingly difficult to determine whether a sufferer is cured or in remission because so many addicts in recovery relapse. A sufferer could be perfectly happy, healthy and sober for years, before succumbing to their addiction once again. Therefore, for greater clarity, we will take “cured” in this case to mean that an addict has no chance of relapsing.
The Case For Addiction As A Chronic, Progressive “Disease”
Addiction generally begins with an addict seeking either pleasure or freedom from pain. They then begin to use a substance (or act out in a behaviour) more and more frequently, building a tolerance and creating a dependence, both of which grow stronger over time. This is what is meant by “progressive.”
The substance an addict uses floods their brain with dopamine, and conditions them to seek the next high. Their brains stop producing dopamine at a healthy rate, and they become incapable of feeling pleasure except through acting out on their addiction. This cycle is accompanied by other changes to an addict’s brain chemistry that affect memory, learning, compulsivity, impulse control, and decision making, which make it even more difficult to break away. These changes in neural function can influence an addict’s response to triggers, such as environment, proximity to drugs and alcohol, or stress. These make recovering addicts extremely susceptible to relapse, making their dis-ease a “chronic” condition which will last for the rest of one’s life.
Evidence indicates that the majority of addicts in recovery relapse at some point. This rate is similar to those of other chronic diseases, such as asthma and hypertension. For heroin addicts, studies have shown relapse rates of up to 91% (and in some cases 59% in the week after treatment). These statistics would certainly indicate that in many cases relapse is a part of the recovery process, and research has shown that following through on aftercare plans significantly decreases relapse rates. This evidence shows a clear link between addiction and diseases like diabetes which require constant management throughout the sufferer’s life.
The Case For A Cure
The argument that a cure for addiction exists centers around the claim that once an addict’s brain returns to a pre-addiction state, the addict is essentially healthy, whole, and well again. While there is scientific evidence that addicts who have been sober for 5 or more years have the same rates of relapsing as the general population has of becoming addicted, anyone peddling a method of treatment which can guarantee a “cure” is most likely a snake-oil salesman. While some addicts simply stop cold turkey one day, never to relapse again, and others maintain lifelong sobriety following one stint in a treatment facility, it would be extremely irresponsible and misleading to suggest that all could be cured in such a fashion. According to all reputable research and authorities, addicts have the best chance of avoiding relapse if they pursue a comprehensive recovery plan.
What We Think
Addiction is a deeply complicated condition, and it requires a unique, custom-tailored, and multi-faceted ongoing treatment plan if it is to be treated properly. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania define it as a “biopsychosocial” disease, meaning that biological changes in brain function produce psychological consequences which are compounded by the social costs of addiction. A wide variety of physical, emotional and social triggers can put an addict’s recovery at risk, and a comprehensive treatment plan is necessary to create the ability to resist them.
Addicts need treatment that addresses detox, cravings and withdrawal. They also need to put a great deal of energy into rebuilding themselves socially and psychologically if they wish to be healthy again.
Current recommendations from the American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration include medically supported detox, behavioral therapy, peer support, family and personal therapy, in and outpatient treatment, and recovery support services. Any treatment center that advertises a miracle cure is unlikely to offer a comprehensive program that reduces the risk of relapse.
A Powerful Tool
With that being said, based on what we know about treating addiction, Ibogaine can be incredibly beneficial to addicts seeking to break free. While proven to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, the psychoactive drug has also been shown to reset key receptors in the brain to pre-addiction levels, dramatically reducing the desire to use drugs and alcohol again.
Ibogaine certainly isn’t a cure for addiction, but when coupled with the comprehensive recovery plans, holistic treatments, and individual counselling offered at the Tabula Rasa Retreat, we feel that it can make a tremendous difference in the lives of addicts looking to recover, significantly reduce the likelihood of relapse, and allow addicts to rebuild the relationships and human connections that make remaining clean an appealing prospect.
There is no “cure” for addiction, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no hope for those who suffer from it.
For further information visit www.tabularasaretreat.com or call PT +351 965 751 649 UK +44 7961 355 530