19/05/2024
***Use of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Addictions***
The potentials of ayahuasca administration in substance use disorders illustrate the necessity of an integrative view spanning from the biological to spiritual levels. In recent years there has been a growing scientific interest in the possible therapeutic use of ayahuasca in the treatment of addictions. Various forms of clinical research have attempted to reveal the mechanisms that lie under the commonly reported anti-addictive effects of ayahuasca (see Winkelman, 2014 for review). Loizaga-Velder and Pazzi (2014) revealed the bases of ayahuasca therapies with an empirical study of therapists who used ayahuasca professionally in addictions treatment and addicts who participated in ayahuasca treatment programs based on indigenous shamanistic approaches. These authors noted that most patients reported therapeutic effects involving: “augmenting body awareness, reducing drug-craving, triggering different types of emotional processes (catharsis, perception of previously suppressed emotions, generating inner resources for coping with emotions or urges to use), supporting introspection (self-analysis, eliciting awareness of addiction, and its adverse effects on oneself and others), and enhancing self-efficacy (becoming aware of positive aspects of oneself, thus improving self-esteem and confidence to stay sober)” (Loizaga-Velder and Pazzi, 2014).
Successful treatment of addictions involves a range of physical effects of ayahuasca, including the purgative and emetic effects, bodily sensations, the evoked visions and the recall of significant past memories. The physical experiences produced are interpreted within the ritual context, one’s personal circumstances and with respect to the recovery processes. Ayahuasca activates a body-oriented dynamics that provides relief from stress, as well as a detoxification experience derived from the emetic effects which may produce an attenuation of craving. Within the shamanistic traditions, the vomiting or purge is seen as a part of the process of detoxification of the body, not only the elimination of toxins, but also the expulsion of morbid emotional and mental conditions. Loizaga-Velder and Pazzi (2014) noted that many report that the emetic effect experienced through vomiting is seen as providing an elimination of troublesome emotions as well as provoking diverse emotional dynamics that trigger psychological and spiritual reactions.
One important institution where ayahuasca is applied therapeutically is the Takiwasi Center for Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts and for Research on Traditional Medicines in Tarapoto, Peru (Mabit, 2007). The program integrates traditional ayahuasca rituals with physical, psychological, and spiritual activities into treatments that address a range of factors contributory to addiction. Founded in 1992 by Jaques Mabit, a French medical doctor, the Takiwasi uses a mixed approach of Western psychotherapy and traditional Amazonian medicine based on local herbs. The success is attributed not to the ayahuasca alone, but the use of other plants, the ritual setting, the community life and the interactions with therapists. Within the Takiwasi program the traditional medicines and rituals are combined with transpersonal psychology and modern social techniques to guide the personal transformation of addicts, using the ayahuasca ritual to produce profound alterations of mind that change addicts’ outlook on life, on their spiritual strength and faith.
The Institute of Applied Amazonian Ethnopsychology (see Fernández and Fábregas, 2014) is another group which has applied shamanistic perspectives to the treatment of addictions with ayahuasca. The approach is based on a minimalist model, without extensive focus on ritual healing processes, but nonetheless integrates influences from the Brazilian Santo Daime religion, shamanism, Eastern meditative disciplines and transpersonal psychology. The approach also includes other healing techniques...
