Long-Acting Opioids Addiction (Subutex/Suboxone)
While ibogaine is highly effective for short-acting opioids, the interaction between ibogaine and long-acting opioids is more complex and has a different treatment protocol.
The Distinction between Opioids and Opiates
The terms opioids and opiates are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things. Opioids are a broad category of drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain, inducing pleasure, sedation, and pain relief. They can be either natural or synthetic compounds. In contrast, opiates are a specific type of drug derived from the opium poppy plant, such as morphine, codeine, and heroin. While all opiates are opioids, not all opioids are opiates.

Differentiating Short-Acting and Long-Acting Opioids
The half-life of a substance, or how long it stays in the body, determines whether it is short- or long-acting. Drugs with a short half-life are metabolized and eliminated more quickly, while those with a long half-life remain in the body for a more extended period. Long-acting opioids such as buprenorphine, suboxone, and methadone cause more prolonged withdrawal periods than short-acting opioids, as can be seen from the chart below

Addressing Long-Acting Opioids in Ibogaine Treatment
Individuals using long-acting opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine must switch to short-acting opioids anywhere from three weeks to a month before ibogaine treatment. Weaning off long-acting opioids can be difficult, with several weeks of withdrawal symptoms.
Be wary of any ibogaine center that claims that a single ibogaine treatment can eliminate withdrawal symptoms, as this is simply not true. Legitimate ibogaine treatment centers will always require a switch to short-acting opioids before treatment.
Although switching back to short-acting opioids may seem counterproductive, it is necessary to follow the proper treatment protocols. Going for ibogaine treatment with long-acting opioids in the system can result in continued withdrawal symptoms even after treatment. It is crucial to be cautious of treatment centers that claim otherwise.

Methadone Addiction
Methadone is commonly prescribed as part of mainstream addiction treatment programs to serve as a substitute for street heroin, providing stability and safety for individuals struggling with addiction. However, many people who undergo maintenance therapy continue to struggle with methadone addiction.
While it may seem like a safer option than obtaining illegal drugs, life on methadone can be frustrating, and individuals may experience side effects such as irritability, fatigue, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Quitting methadone can be challenging because it is a long-acting opiate, and the withdrawal symptoms associated with it can last up to a month. These symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, anxiety, insomnia, and sweating.

For those who seek a solution to break free from methadone addiction, ibogaine treatment can be a powerful tool that resets the reward pathways in the brain that have been conditioned by addiction. It is worth noting that ibogaine treatment for methadone requires careful planning and preparation, and the guidance of experienced providers is essential.
At Tabula Rasa Retreat, we offer ibogaine treatment that can eliminate opioid withdrawal symptoms within 30 minutes of ingestion. Patients must switch to short-acting opioids, such as morphine sulphate or oxycontin, before undergoing ibogaine treatment due to the long-acting nature of methadone. This must be done about three weeks prior to your ibogaine treatment, and admission to our center.

We understand that this can be a difficult and confusing decision. After all, if you have used methadone to get yourself of street heroin, or fentanyl, it appears to make little sense to readdict yourself to a psychoactive opioid again. The case is that a single ibogaine treatment on one of our 6-day treatment programs will not be long enough to effectively halt your methadone withdrawals. We do, however, offer longer stays, if you feel that you would prefer to transition to short-acting opioids under our supervision.
At any rate, our experienced medical team are here to guide you through the different options and protocols before considering ibogaine treatment. Contact us at Tabula Rasa Retreat to learn more.