Holistic Addiction Treatment for the 21st Century:
This article was written
by John Giordano, one of the owners and founders of the
Holistic Addiction Treatment Program and published in the
FORENSIC THERAPIST, Vol 2, ISSUE 3
The Holistic Approach to Drug and Alcohol
Detox and Treatment
In years past, addiction treatment
centers have focused primarily on treating the
psychological aspects of the disease of addiction, while
neglecting to address the delicate inter-connective balance
of the body, mind and spirit. Most individuals who enter
into a 28-day treatment program receive education about
their addiction, they scratch the surface of the issues
that underlie their addictive behavior, and are introduced
to the program of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics
Anonymous), and GA (Gamblers Anonymous). After treatment,
clients are encouraged to live in a supportive environment
such as a ¾ way house. However, most return to their homes
and lives unprepared to live in a life without drugs.
In some cases, this traditional approach to treatment
may be effective. Usually, the success rate of traditional
addiction treatment is very low. The wisdom of Western
Medicine is that if you have a symptom, treat it. If a
person has a headache they take Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
to alleviate the symptoms but never determine the root
cause of the headache. The Holistic approach to medicine
and treatment holds that human beings have a body, a mind
and a spirit. These elements of the human being are intertwined
and exist in a delicate balance that determines positive
or negative physical/mental health. The holistic method
respects this balance and approaches treatment with the
understanding that in order to achieve positive results
this equilibrium must be restored. An exciting new detox
treatment that deals primarily with painless detox from
drugs and alcohol known as Ibogaine has experienced particular
success in the holistic approach to treatment. This treatment
is used for the detox of Crack cocaine, Heroin
and Methadone. Typically, it takes about seven
days to three months in order to detox an individual who
is addicted to Heroin and/or Methadone; detox treatment
with Ibogaine lasts between 24-36 hours with little to
no side effects.
Ibogaine is a rain forest alkaloid derived
from the root of the Tabernanthe iboga (Apocynacea family),
which is a shrub indigenous to West Central Africa. Ibogaine
is used by the native people in low doses to relieve fatigue,
hunger, and thirst. The pharmacogenic effects of Ibogaine
have been researched for over 100 years. The anti-addictive
properties of Ibogaine were first reported in 1982. People
who are substance-dependent have stated
that Ibogaine treatment puts them into a waking dream
state. These Ibogaine-induced dreams are usually centered
on early childhood traumas and other important developmental
events that occurred during turning points in their life.
Once awakened from these dream-like visions, insight into
interpreting the root causes of their addictive personalities
are often revealed. At the end of the Ibogaine
treatment, opiate, alcohol, and cocaine-dependent
individuals experienced some relief or the total cessation
of the drug or alcohol craving, and opiate-dependent
clients stated that their opiate withdrawal symptoms were
alleviated.
Dr. Deborah Mash from the University of Miami, funded
under a NIDA (National Institute of Drug Addiction), is
a Neuro Scientist and is Chief Researcher of the Ibogaine
Project. Dr. Mash has been in collaboration with me, John
Giordano, for the last six and a half years to create
a new holistic treatment approach to addiction that is
more effective than current methodologies. This alliance
formed against drug abuse encompasses Ibogaine treatment
along with other modalities that work cooperatively to
restore healthy body, mind, and spirit functioning.
John Giordano is a
recovering addict who celebrates 18 years of continuous
recovery. He has received numerous certifications in addiction
treatment, such as C.A.P., M.A.C., & C.C.J.S. John is also
a part owner/program director of the Holistic Addiction
Treatment Program. He has been the recipient of many distinguished
awards, such as, the Martin Luther King Award, and the Homeless
Humanitarian Award. John is also in the Black Belt Hall
of Fame as a result of his many accomplishments and contributions
to the martial arts, including becoming a 10° black belt
and a national karate champion. He is also the author of
the book, Proven Holistic Treatment for Addicts with a History
of Chronic Relapse, and was previously the host of a one
-hour call in television talk show on addiction.
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