Summer 2009 Vol. 19, No. 2 Research Edition
As of August 2009, 17 out of 30 subjects have been enrolled in the MAPS-sponsored observational case study of the long term efficacy of ibogaine-assisted therapy in the treatment of opiate addiction. Principal investigator and PsyD candidate John Harrison has been following patients who have undergone ibogaine therapy with Pangea Biomedics in Playas De Tijuana, Mexico. John expects that all subjects will enroll by the end of the year or by early next year. The study is designed to follow patients for one year after treatment and to administer the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) as well as some other measures related to life changes. This requires John to speak at length with each subject once a month in order to administer the ASI, and to make contact with a relative or close friend of the subject to confirm subjects’ subjective reports. John notes that he is still in contact with almost all the patients, which in and of itself is remarkable considering the subject population and circumstances.
