Plant based assisted therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders part 2 : beyond blurred boundaries.
Matteo Polit, Fabio Friso, Jacques Mabit
Cultura y Droga July 1, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.17151/culdr.2019.24.28.2 via OpenAlex
Summary
The article discusses global centers that utilize plant and animal derivatives for treating substance use disorders, highlighting the cultural and contextual factors that influence whether substances are seen as medicinal or toxic. It reviews practices from various regions, including the use of psychoactive substances like Tabernanthe iboga and Bufo alvarius. The authors suggest that traditional medicine could help reconcile views on drug consumption as either a criminal issue or a health concern.
Study at a glance
| Population | Global treatment centers using natural medicines for substance use disorders |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Traditional medicines may help bridge the gap between viewing drug consumption as a crime and as a health issue. |
Abstract
Objective. This article aims to offer a vision of the centers at a global level that use derivatives of plants or animals for the treatment of substance use disorders, and to offer a reflection on the concept of drugs as medicinal or toxicant agents depending on the context of use, culture and policy. Methodology. Some practices coming from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas were considered, carrying out a research based on scientific literature, exchange of information with treatment centers, internet search and the personal experience of the authors. Results and Discussion. Different cases of the use of natural medicines are described including psychoactive derivatives of Tabernanthe iboga and Bufo alvarius. Conclusions. The blurred boundaries between considering drug consumption as a crime or as a health issue could be overcome by being inspired by the ancient wisdom of traditional medicines.