The purpose of this study was to investigate if the naturally occurring substance Ibogaine could be a good treatment for substance abuse. In order to answer this question, qualitative interviews have been performed with five persons who have been subject to Ibogain treatment and one psychologist/psychotherapist at an addiction treatment clinic, Lars Lundell.
In addition to these interviews an Ibogaine treatment clinic located in London has been visited. At the clinic an observational study of the treatment was carried out as well as interviews with the responsible physician Dr Brackenridge one of his patients, named Will in this paper. The perspective of this study is substance abuse treatment with Ibogaine based on the informants experiences and our own observations.
The interviews have been formed based on the following three questions:
1. How is a treatment carried out?
2. How have their lives been affected by the Ibogain treatment?
3. What are the informant’s views on Ibogain treatment?
The analysis was made looking for similarities and dissimilarities in the informants answers, divided into the three previously described questions. This information was subsequently interpreted using literature, observations and our own thoughts.
The study shows that among the informants there is an almost unanimous opinion that without the Ibogaine treatment they would not be alive today.
The study clearly shows that the informants feel that they have a much better quality of life after the treatment. The conclusion of this study is that Ibogaine can be a successful treatment for substance abuse.