Ayahuasca : Can psychotropic drugs play a role in spiritual recovery from addiction?

The irony is very clear. I think that this idea is a little too intriguing to me. This probably has something to do with the fact that I loved to take hallucinogens when I was using. I do not know if I can form an opinion about the subject. I see it like voting. If I do not know enough about the candidates in an election then I will not vote for either of them.

However, I do offer something else to chew on for a minute. If this practice has been having such a profound effect on people, then why is not more popular? Most things that work gain the recognition of the masses and become practice rather than theory. The theory of the twelve steps has been put into practice and likewise has spread like wildfire. Not just in the United States, but across the world. I would really like to shake the hand of a person that has benefitted from ayahuasca treatment. They just might make a believer out of me.

I have to admit. I really enjoy taking the stairs.

I don’t think that the Takiwasi people are crazy at all, and Ayahuasca is far from being the only psychedelic drug purported to have therapeutic qualities. In 2004, the US government approved the first study of MDMA assisted therapy in almost 20 years. And the hallucinogen Ibogaine from Central Africa is another drug that has been investigated as a possible anti-addiction treatment. While the use of psychedelic drugs for this purpose needs to be studied further before it becomes an approved treatment, I can’t possibly dismiss the idea when so many people in different areas of the world firmly believe in it.

But the question you raised is a good one; is taking a psychedelic drug a short cut around the intense spiritual work you have to put into recovering from addiction? It seems to me that given the option, most people would rather take the easy road.

http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ibogaine/ibogaine_basics.shtml

Interesting. In the interest of full disclosure, I am arecovering addict of four years. Twelve step.
Anyhow, I respect the Idea that another culture(s) may find drug induced experiences spiritual, as does my own culture, specifically alcohol and many sects of christianity. However, as an individual I cannot see anything spiritual coming from myself ingesting a physical substance into my physical body, inducing a physiological response in my physical brain, artificially altering my perception of a fixed physical reality. Since I base the concept of spirituality on humillity, I accept reality as was was intended to percieve it by providence, whether said providence is divine or not. Furthermore, when I saw the term “psychotropic” being used, I took this to mean prescribed medications intended to treat mental ilness, which I also take issue with as an individual. If 10 people walk into a psych clinic, 10 will walk out with a scrip. This brings into question the credibility of said discipline as a whole. Furthermore, said drugs, and specifically anti-depressants, prevent people from feeling emotional pain.
Pain is natures perfect teaching tool. If something hurts something is wrong. If I dislike myself or others, I feel pain. Sooo, do we block the pain? Or learn? Even worse, enabling my resentments allows me to sell said resentments.

Well It is my experience (LOL) that most emotional pain stems from resentments. For example I can resent myself, others, institutions, life in general, etc. I beleve the top 3 are gender, race and class-but thats another discussion. All stem from self resentment, and my percieved or actual, sense of status in life(power). Think of anything that realy upsets you when you think about it. That is a resentment. Odds are, you are powerless to change that one thing, yet it continues to haunt you. It then causes you pain. Psyche 101-Every emotion is preceded by a thought. So… it stands to reason i “self medicated” with street drugs to cover the pain of my resentments. True, modern medicine has come up with many compounds which are selective, not inducing a serotonin, dopamine, or endorphin response in the pleasure centers. Therefore they are not addictive in the classical sense of the word. They do exactly what they are intended to do, which is to alter ones behavior, be it internal or external to be confined within societal norms, or to relieve symptoms reported by a patient-see where I am going? The usual-Anxiety and depression-(resentments). I know that both major fellowships -you can go there, I wont- specify that doctor prescribed meds is not using, and I agree. I just cant keep my mouth shut about noticing that folks who use (and push) the meds seem to be stuck on one thing or another. I myself have used many diferent prescribed meds, and just seem to be happier without them. Nothing personal, it’s just my honest experience.
As for reality/delusion. This is how I feel. My brain has all the chemicals to do all the things it needs to do INCLUDING self repair. For example, when I was twelve years old ,I had ulcers and anxiety. The family doc put me on phenobarbitol (loved it). And suggested relaxation techniques. Being an avid reader, I found a good book on self hypnosis. I became an adept over nite. I could hypnotise a toad. ulcers were gone, grades improved. As a transitional tool, the drugs were spot on. But in the long run, I had to master my mind. BTW the 4 years in recovery i am currently enjoying began with one heck of a self hypnosis session.
Now halucinogens. I was addicted to acid for a good nine months. It took a year for me to get most of my marbles back. The way most, if not all halucinogens work goes something like this. There is a part of your brain(i forget what its called) that is like a busy intersection with a traffic cop. For the most part, sensory input into the brain(including ones thoughts bubbling out of the subconcious) go thru this cop. The cop decides what is meaningfull, and what gets discarded. If were not for the cop, you would be unable to function at a day to day level, becase of all of the information coming in. Well guess what. Thats exactly what hallucinogens do. They remove the cop. You notice everything, your mind is overwhelmed. The minutest thing SEEMS more significant. This mimmics a spiritual experience.
Ask yourself these questions.
1) do I live in a physical universe governed by many varying laws?
2) Is my mind, without chemical assistance the best interpreter of MY reality in such a universe FOR ME?
3) When things happen in said universe that I dont like, do I have the option of accepting it. Even war, pestilence, famine, political BS?
Why alter, numb or dull reality, in any way, when we can embrace it in all it’s glory.
It’s about taking responsibility!

“What if there is a key UNDERSTANDING of the world, which would have been missed otherwise, if someone does NOT try ayahuasca? Is this not worth learning about?”
Thats like saying all who do not find Jesus will be doomed.
If my addiction is my problem, and my understanding of my perception makes me happy joyous and free? Why RISK what I have worked so hard to gain? It is exactly that which is at the core of my disease. The desire to change the way I feel. If I wish to alter the my perception because I am not happy with my perception, The question is…Why? THERE is the path to TRUE enlightenment. ACCEPTANCE is the solution to all my problems. Sorry, I just don’t get high anymore.
And,- Didn’t curiosity kill the cat in the first place?

I’ve been a regular partaker in Ayahuasca ceremonies for many years. I have personally found them to be an extraordinary experience of healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. I have seen many people turn their lives around and become integrated spiritual beings from the healing that they experience from this extraordinary medicine.

It’s far from a fun or pleasant experience. There is a great deal of discomfort possible from Ayahuasca. It’s physically a strong purgative which is considered an important part of the purification process. On a mental level, you are confronted with everything, and then given the choice to let go of what separates you from inner harmony or to hold onto it. Windows and doors are opened to viewing your life in a way that is utterly clarifying of your place in the universe.

However, it’s not without its dangers, which is why in South America, the use is very ritualized and controlled, generally only used by shamans and only during healing ceremonies. I know no one who uses it recreationally - at least not twice.

Nor is it by itself a cure all. It takes a deep commitment to walk a path of healing. There are people who drink ayahuasca who remain alcoholics and addicts. Choice is ever present, and the path of curing in this tradition is not an easy one to follow. But there are reasons why Dr. Mabit has such good results, and why the government of Peru has declared Ayahuasca to be a national treasure. It works.

My disclaimer is that I did not come to use Ayahuasca to cure addiction. Thankfully other than coffee I seem to not have that problem. It was childhood trauma, emotional problems and seeking deeper understanding of self and Self that took me to South America to learn this way. Now I’m learning how to use it for the healing of others.

Actualy, put in that light , sounds rather appealing.

Well, i don’t really want any labels like shaman or such, though Shamanism (called curanderoismo in much of the Amazon) has been a fascination of mine for many years. I hope to always be a student!

I do work with people who need healing using ayahuasca, and once a year I lead groups to Peru to work with Curanderos. My hope is that someday the use of ayahuasca will be recognized in Northern countries and the great benefit of it’s use in ceremonial context will be approved and recognized. I’ve studied and practiced several natural healing arts and in my opinion the path of ayahuasca is at or near the most effective and most transformative. I do hope to someday set up a research and healing facility in the Amazon.

I’m interest in more info on your group in Peru. Thank you

Marek