Treating Addiction with Psychedelics
My Subjective Experience
The Run Down
Treating addiction with psychedelics is taboo in many countries, but not others. It’s not uncommon to see Ayahuasca ceremonies performed in drug rehabilitation studies in Peru. There are also countless testimonials that Ibogaine, a psychedelic compound, has helped heroin addicts by eliminating the withdrawal. Of course, using a drug to solve a drug problem at its surface is going to seem taboo. However, doctors prescribe methadone to treat heroin addiction when, in fact, methadone is far more addictive than heroin. So why is treating addiction with psychedelics so taboo?
Why is Psychotherapy Taboo?
I believe part of the reason medicinal psychedelic usage is so taboo is demonizing tactics. They’re grouped in with all other narcotics, when in fact, they stand in their own lane. It’s irrational to think that society as a whole will grasp the ideology that a disease of perception requires a medicine to alter perception. While psychedelics can be extremely dangerous, not just due to their legal status, they can also be beneficial. It’s a toss of the coin, but as someone who had nothing to lose, I wasn’t afraid of heads or tails.
It’s Never “One-Size-Fits-All”
My account of treating addiction with psychedelics is unique to me. Some people suffer horrific consequences from these substances and they definitely were inspirations for action more-so than a “cure.” It’s not what you experience, but what you bring back and apply to your life. Unfortunately, some people open doors that can’t be closed which causes an array of problems. Others open doors of positivity that can cause positive transformation. Psychedelic use, in general, is Russian Roulette, my account shouldn’t be taken as one that will apply to the general public. Looking back, even attempting this was not a wise decision, but again, I had nothing to lose.
Philip Markoff (Associate of Science) is an online influencer and thought leader on addiction education; he is known as his alias “CG Kid” who’s obtained a large audience primarily on YouTube as a vlogger and journalist. His current sobriety date from polysubstance chemical dependency is June 9th, 2013.
MOZZ says
Well said.
I’ve done my fair share of psychedelics. From ceremonies with shamans from Peru to weird compounds others haven’t heard of.
I’ve had intense hell trips that landed me in jail followed by psychiatric hospitals.
I did have a very spiritual experience with mushrooms years ago that enlightened me and introduced me to a higher power. By no means did it cure me of addiction but it did show me the spiritual plain I desired to reach. It made me look directly in to my own soul and see the destruction I caused to myself and others as well as the potential love that is within us to all.
Putting synthetic drugs in my body never felt the same afterwards. I can’t even kill an ant without guilt after the experience .
I know, hippie shit right. But it changed my life and now that I’m not ignorant to it I have no excuse. I made the mistake of chasing God through psychedelics though. Looking for that feeling of ego death again and that was abuse. Which led to severe consequences.
It’s like Alan Watts said, “once you get the message hang up the phone”