As long as people have suffered from substance use disorders, they have sought out miraculous cures to fix their addiction. Ayahuasca addiction treatment is just one of the many proposed cures — but the dangers of ayahuasca treatment cannot be understated.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder, reach out to The Bluffs by calling 850.374.5331 for information about the evidence-based solutions to substance use disorders we offer.
What Is Ayahuasca Addiction Treatment?
Some people proclaim ayahuasca addiction treatment as a quick-fix solution for addiction. The essential belief is that by attending a ceremony where people consume a powerful hallucinogenic drug, they will find a “cure” for their addiction once and for all.
Typically, these ceremonies occur in South America, where the plants that make up the ayahuasca drug grow.
Traditionally, ayahuasca was used as a ceremonial drug used in shamanic rituals. The idea of ayahuasca as a treatment for addiction, however, is relatively new. Yet since this idea has taken hold, there has been a growing business in ayahuasca tourism throughout South America.
Dangers of Ayahuasca
The dangers of ayahuasca come from two distinct elements. The first is that the ayahuasca drug contains a powerful hallucinogenic chemical known as DMT, which can have several dangerous side effects on its own.
The second of the ayahuasca dangers is that many people who choose ayahuasca treatment do so instead of choosing more effective treatment options that could truly help them with their addiction.
No Clinical Evidence It Works
To date, there is no clinical evidence that supports the claims of ayahuasca curing addiction. There are powerful drug effects of the drug itself, which may be associated with a few mental health outcomes. However, ayahuasca alone is not enough to help people recover from drug and alcohol use long-term.
The best evidence supporting ayahuasca addiction treatment seems to suggest that feeling a part of a community is the most beneficial part of the ayahuasca ceremony, not the drug itself.
Risk of Physical and Psychological Harm
There are several negative effects that frequently occur in the ayahuasca ritual, which are often combined with the effects of physical withdrawal. These include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Psychological distress
In some cases, people have died during ayahuasca rituals. Additionally, intense hallucinations and delusions are some of the primary effects of drinking ayahuasca. In turn, this can lead to severe trauma and distress for people who are in the midst of drug or alcohol withdrawals.
Choosing the Wrong Treatment
The last of the ayahuasca dangers is the fact that many people will choose to experiment with unproven psychedelic drugs instead of choosing evidence-based therapies that truly work.
Addiction medicine, psychiatry, and psychology have been studied for decades. In fact, they have given addiction treatment centers valuable tools that have been shown to be effective at helping people overcome substance use disorders.
Choosing an unproven treatment over one that is known to work can lead to people continuing to deal with severe health consequences that they could have recovered from.
Get Evidence-Based Treatment at The Bluffs
If you or a loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder, trust the treatments that have been helping people for decades. Call The Bluffs at 850.374.5331 to learn more about how we use science-based tools to help people break free from addiction and build healthier lives in recovery.
Our team of experts offers a variety of evidence-based treatment options, including:
- Adventure and Wilderness Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
We understand the appeal that a quick fix for addiction can have. However, it’s not worth risking your life and recovery. We can help you overcome addiction—you just need to make the call.
