Ayahuasca and reduction of the abusive use of psychoatives: Therapeutic efficacy?

Abstract

This paper evaluates the possible role of the use of ayahuasca, in a religious context, as an auxiliary in the reduction of the abusive consume of psychoactives, using a case report research. An open interview with a regular consumer of cocaine, nicotine and alcohol, which abandoned this behavior after the encounter with the ritualized use of ayahuasca, was made. The case was analyzed comparing it with the literature on the subject. From the evaluation of the symbolic representations and the descriptions of her first experiences with the brew, a relation was constructed between the moment the interviewee began to use ayahuasca and the moment that she abandoned the use of cocaine, nicotine and alcohol.