Project HistoryThe Iboga Therapy House project was initiated in November of 2002 in Vancouver B.C., Canada to address the growing interest in Ibogaine–assisted detoxification as a grassroots harm reduction- and health promotion-based response to a demand for alternative and innovative drug detoxification options for the chemically dependent, recovery-seeking, drug consumer population. As part of a proof of concept and feasibility assessment, the Iboga Therapy House began offering (through generous private funding) free detoxification services in a 5 day residential setting to those chemically dependent on substances such as Heroin and other Opiates, Methadone, Cocaine, Crack, and Alcohol (including poly-substance addictions), to observe and better understand the potential therapeutic applications of Ibogaine as an enriched harm reduction intervention initiative, to develop a protocol for therapy, and to develop an understanding of the staffing and resource requirements that such a project would entail. The delivery of our program was based on a health promotion, harm reduction and resiliency model that fostered support in a non-judgmental atmosphere aimed at empowering participants to improve their quality of life. Support and assistance was provided to participants throughout the detoxification phase. This phase of activity ended in July 2004 with the cessation of private funding for this specific purpose, however we were successful in achieving the desired outcomes of a protocol design for evaluation, an understanding of the resource requirements, and preliminary evidence that has strongly supported the initiation of an Ibogaine-based detoxification therapy program with a strong evaluation component. In the process we also discovered a great potential for offering another program to those seeking personal growth through ibogaine-assisted psychospiritual therapy. In June of 2005 the Iboga Therapy Society became a registered society in British Columbia, Canada and the Iboga Therapy House is now registered as a business of the society. Since March 2006, we have been offering our services on non-profit, fee-for-services basis. In 2007 we initiated a long-term observational study of ibogaine's effectiveness in the treatment of dependence to opiates. The study was unconditionally approved by a Canadian Institutional Review Board to be conducted (and funded by) the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) a 501-c nonprofit organisation from the United States that supports research into the therapeutic uses of psychoactive substances around the world. In 2008 due to financial restrictions and a lack of adequate supportive organisational funding, we had to temporarily close our program. Because of this, the study initiated by MAPS also had to cease, however the study was then picked up by Pangaea Biomedics (formerly the Ibogaine Association) in Tijuana, Mexico and is currently underway again. We are now pleased to announce that we have reopened our program with renewed vigor, dedication and support in September 2010 and the story continues....
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