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Awakening from Addiction

Jennifer Flynn
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Just outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Awakening in the  Dream House provides ibogaine treatment, currently unavailable in the U.S., to clients with addictions. Ibogaine is derived from the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, an African shrub that has an ancient tradition of ritualistic use by indigenous peoples.

After ingesting Ibogaine, the body has increased levels of dopamine metabolites which reduce dopamine levels. It is thought that this counteracts the dopamine levels that are increased by drugs such as cocaine, opiates and amphetamines. ibogaine blocks receptor sites where addictive cravings arise. The plant component also provides long term action as it is stored in fat cells and released over periods of up to six months. Psychologically, the phytochemical may assist in awakening one's consciousness to memories of traumatic events, behavioral patterns and emotions that have been previously blocked.

The Awakening in the Dream House was founded by Rocky Caravelli who was, "called by Spirit" to open the center. Staff of the center are mainly those who have battled their own addictions through the assistance of ibogaine. Caravelli states that many alternative healers have been drawn to work with the clients of the center. As the healing process for anyone is personal, the center encourages this claim to personal healing. "I want everybody to own their healing process," says Caravelli. Clients of The Awakening in the Dream House have also been relieved of a number of concerns beyond addictions. Some of these include depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, asthma and hepatitis. The center hopes to bring growing awareness to the helping and healing spirit of iboga.

Comments

Links?

Submitted by Jikuri on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:10.
does it work? where are the links?

Interview

Submitted by Tristan Gulliford on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 13:48.
For those who are interested in iboga and the Awakening the Dream House, I am hopefully going to interview Rocky within the next few weeks, so stay tuned...

I'm glad

Submitted by digested.crayon on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 16:46.
I'm glad there are treatment places like this with alternative choices. Someone I am close to has suffered through a crack cocaine addiction and the standard rehab treatment was so awful for her. My only question/problem would be the price of this place? sounds expensive. Not so practical for someone who probably has spent all their money on their addiction

How much?

Submitted by Propaganda Anonymous on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 18:24.

Propaganda Anonymous

 

What is the price for this?

Click the link!

Submitted by jimcross on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 19:49.
If you click the "Awakening in the Dream House" link above, some the questions posted will be answered.

Hi

Submitted by jeneflower on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 23:08.
I found your blog because-out of curiosity- I googled my maiden name: Jennifer Flynn. I thought it was interesting that your blog had a few similarities to mine. I have recently been trying to add more raw foods to our diet- as well as local and organic. I am sure there are a lot of Jennifer Flynns out there, but it still strikes me as strange to know people answer to the same name I answered to for most of my life. Anyway I live in Seoul, S. Korea (I'm not Korean- my ancestors are from Ireland)- my blog is here if you would like to visit for fun: http://adoptingfromrussia2.blogspot.com/

Iboga Therapy House

Submitted by ignelius on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 05:22.

A group of people in Vancouver have been treating addiction with iboga for a few years now, quite successfully. They've also run 'psychedelic emergency' tents at the Boom and Burning Man festivals.

http://www.ibogatherapyhouse.net

Pot Cock and Chocolate

Submitted by Joan of Art on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 16:22.
Man- I was really hoping to find an article with in-depth emotional insight into integrating one's independence outside of more commonplace dependences: pot, cock, chocolate, co-dependency, alcohol. That's great that they have a treatment house for hard-core addictions way out in butt-fuck Mexico, but I look around me and it seems like more people walking the path are having a harder time with emotional addictions that amphetamines.

Food addiction

Submitted by ramana on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 06:34.
This looks promising. More information is appreciated. I am suffering from food addiction. Addiction of a severe kind. Especially for sweets. It is like there is a monster living within myself who dictates terms to me. How much ever I try it doesn't work. I have to eat sweets. It is like my main food. Does anyone have any recommendations for a similar treatmet place? I am thinking about a fasting retreat kind of a place but any ideas getting rid of my problem are appreciated. Thanks, Ramana

treating chemical addiction with a chemical

Submitted by Myshkin on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 22:37.

This is a very personal issue for me so I can claim no healthy detachment or 'holy indifference' with regard to this subject and since I am only 6 months clean and my life is at stake my comments may seem a little rigid or even downright dogmatic. Please forgive me for this...

I am a drug addict. I cannot quantify this in any way to make everyone feel comfortable - I have only just managed to integrate this part of my personality in such a way as to make it a vehicle for transmutation rather than a negative, 'dirty' affirmation. Believe me when I say I have tried MANY methods of attempting to 'cure' my 'condition'. These involved (at bottom) trying to devise a method where I could 'use' without becoming totally self centered and self destructive. I tried different drugs, different buddhisms, different shrinks, different 12 step groups, different times, different girlfriends, different places - different EVERYTHING except a different me. I now realise that I must CHANGE mySelf.

I have also tried chemical interventions such as naltrexone and antabuse. They didn't work in any kind of holistic way. The key is evolving consciousness - not denying the parts I think I don't like and wishing they weren't there. It became clear to me that eros and thanatos were dancing a Kaliesque dance in my addiction. My addiction had found root in that Dionysian part of myself where creativity and sexuality also reside... Any attempts to repress this part of my Self (whatever that is) were quaint at best and downright murderous at worst.

I am only just beginning to accept responsibility for the only thing I can truly accept responsibility for - my consciousness RIGHT NOW... For me (and I know that I will sound like a real tosser on a fascinating site like this), that means abstaining from ALL drugs. Semantically loose yes... I'm currently affected by nicotine, caffeine, mirtazapine and as RA Wilson said, EVERYTHING is psychoactive... Water and potatoes (I'll spell potato any F@ing way I want hehe) are psychoactive... But you see I dont DREAM about scoring coffee or anti depressants... So yes, I go to 'those silly meetings' - I have found a way to perceive what Huxley called 'The Perennial Philosophy' in the 12 steps. It is not the only way, that is for sure, but it has worked for me. I still cringe when I accept that I am a '12 step boy' - but that is just my path for now...

I am rambling so I'll wrap it up and finish with this. I was insulted and mortified when I heard Mckenna's opinions on addiction. He said something to the effect of 'Some people just can't use drugs, we don't know why but for them to seek the chemical path is like me trying out for the NBA - it will only lead to pain. So I've decided to leave the NBA to other people and addicts should leave the chemical path to people who can handle it'. I felt so angry when I heard this - it was like the easter bunny had stolen MY eggs hehe... but I think there is a a huge amount of merit to what he says.

I am still fascinated by consciousness, particularly altered states and I am unwilling to let my interest subside to become a so called 'productive, acceptable member of society' - nowdays what keeps me going is what William S (a man who knew a thing or two about addiction) said - 'anything possible with chemicals is also possible by other means'. I have lucid dreams, meditation, music, tantra and just LIFE. I really enjoy this feeling of being clean. I actually care about other people and I have all these 'feelings' - its really quite bizarre. Whats my point? hmmm the Greeks had a word for it - 'METANOIA'.