Post-ibogaine

If the treatment has been successful, the client should experience little or no withdrawal, depending on the length of use and the drug of choice. In addition, many people, but not all, experience no desire to use for a period of weeks or, in some cases, months afterward. Furthermore, some ibogaine users report experiencing useful insights into the reasons for their former addictive behaviour.

In cases where the treatment has been successful, but the client begins to experience the desire to use drugs again after some weeks, repeated dosing with ibogaine can be undertaken. Re-dosing with ibogaine at less than one month intervals is generally discouraged, as metabolites of the drug can remain in the body for this length of time.

To help promote long-term freedom from drug-use, the client should consider attending therapy sessions or counselling. These need not necessarily be specifically sessions for drug-related problems. Post-ibogaine, most people are a lot more open to discussing issues from childhood or similar that may be underpinning addictive behaviour, and so it is strongly recommended that provision is made to enter into some kind of therapeutic environment immediately after treatment. As an alternative, or in conjunction with therapy, holistic or alternative therapies might be considered. Those aimed at dealing with issues relating to childhood are usually regarded as particularly suitable.

Basic lifestyle changes are also recommended. Rising early in the morning and undertaking some physical exercise helps produce beta-endorphin, the body's natural opiate. Cold baths or showers are also very effective ways of stimulating the correct flow of brain chemicals. The oriental breathing and stretching technique known as Qi Gong, (sometimes written Chi Kung), has been found to be particularly effective.

Melatonin taken nightly and a multivitamin supplement, particularly one containing B 12, is often recommended.

To help promote the removal of accumulated toxins from within the system, it is strongly recommended that water is consumed in the morning after rising.

Post-ibogaine Problems

Feelings of intense pleasure:

This is less common with long term heroin users, but many people using ibogaine feel in very high spirits for a period of days or sometimes weeks after taking ibogaine. Clients report feeling that their life is now totally straightened out and that everything is going to be just wonderful. Unfortunately, this usually passes after a short while. And it is important to realise that this is just a temporary state. Some people feel so good for a week or so after using ibogaine, they barely notice when they start to get the urge to use drugs again and so quickly relapse.

Learned behaviour or conditioning:

Ibogaine is widely recognised as 're-setting' a persons learned behaviour patterns, leaving them free from compulsive urges, drug-related or otherwise. Again, however, this usually only last for a period of days or weeks, and so attempts should be made to reduce the level of drug-using stimuli in one's environment after this time.

Feelings of paranoia or anxiety:

For some ibogaine users the experience can prove quite gruelling. The drug can have the effect of radically altering the way a person looks at themselves and the world around them. Deep-rooted feelings of insecurity that may have been present since childhood can be uprooted and, when this happens, it can leave clients feeling disorientated or in some cases slightly paranoid for some time afterward. Whenever possible, it's a good idea to spend time post-ibogaine in a peaceful and unthreatening environment.

Sleeplessness:

Many people find they require less sleep for a period of time post-ibogaine. This is quite normal and nothing to worry about.

IMPORTANT - Returning to Drug Use:

If a return to drug use is anticipated post-ibogaine, it is imperative the client does not restart at the dosage level they were on prior to ibogaine treatment. Ibogaine "resets" many brain functions relating to drug usage and to return to heavy usage immediately could easily result in overdosing and possible death.