Recovery: an alcoholic's story | Robert Rhatigan | TEDxABQ

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Robert Rhatigan struggled with alcoholism for over ten years. When numerous attempts to overcome addiction through will-power and conventional treatment failed, he traveled to the Peruvian Amazon for treatment from local shamans. After four challenging ceremonies with a purgative, psychedelic plant medicine his desire for alcohol dissolved and a quest to understand his transformation began.

A New York City native, Rhatigan is a Research Scientist with the Geospatial and Population Studies Department at the University of New Mexico. He holds a Master's Degree in Applied Geography from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor's in Environmental Science from the State University of New York. After starting a career on Wall Street, Robert helped build a successful tech start-up, worked as an environmental consultant, published non-fiction writing and delivered mail for the US Postal Service. Sober and craving free for over four years, he still contends with an incurable case of wanderlust.

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[flukeseawalker]

I have consumed psilocybin mushrooms for my headaches, depression, alcohol addiction. Today, nearly two years after my first dose, Pennsylvania has one less depressed alcoholic citizen. But now the State wants to Punish me for becoming a better Human Being.

"After 4 ceremonies in the jungle with a non toxic non addictive psychoactive subtance that is illegal to possess or prescribe in the United States, my relationship with a deadly addictive legal drug was OVER."

[ramonajungwirth]

My wife took my three children away from me because I was an abusive alcoholic. It’s been the most difficult time of my life, but I did it. That’s how I quit.

[Heboy]

Bravo! Humans have the RIGHT as denizens of our Great Mother Earth to any plants or substances she produces for their use. No prescription, no permission, no "authority" to tell them they can. We have a right and anyone standing in the way of that right is a criminal.

[justinhoffman]

I took Ibogaine 8 years ago and after 30 rehabs, 10 years of AA, therapy and of course medications, I was finally free. I haven't even had a craving since. AA members preach that anything "mind altering" will cause a relapse. They are absolutely clueless and should learn what LSD did for Bill W. I attend AA, but for connection. I dont believe its anything but a nice social club to share your experience with others. As for therapy? It isn't, and I dont know why every rehab in America tells you that its either AA or jail, institutions or death. Theres plenty of other options. The steps are a nice little antiquated tool for recovery, that might help some.. The truth is they do nothing for trauma and anxiety disorders which are usually at the root of "why"

[goddog]

I'm on my own path to need to be healthy and organised for the rest of life, I've done the alcohol and drug thing but it doesn't bring me any lasting happiness or wellbeing.
Feels great to finally let go of my addiction!

[whosthatgirl]

There are many different paths to recovery. What works for one person may not work for others. We need to have an open mind and allow people to find their own path to recovery

[kaptajnsejersen]

The tools and people from AA made it possible for me to stay away from the bottle. Psychedelic mushrooms healed the root-problem of my drinking. Anxiety!

[prasert]

I want to try it!! I watched a programme where people with terminal disease, who were afraid of death, took this psychedelic in the amazon. And ALL were no longer afraid of their appending death. I find it incredible. I am a chronic alcoholic and am terrified of death so I may be on a plane to the amazon soon. The only thing that concerns me is that I suffer with panic attacks and would be scared the drug would induce one that lasted hours.

[gaiasgrowinggarden]

3 years sober today! New life here I come!!!

[jags]

His presentation skills are very good!!

[stephenransley]

well done and it's bad how they treat this medicine the world needs it now

[teacherrobin]

Excellent talk! Yes ... to shift right into heart and more and to stay there.

[katiefaint]

This brings up a lot of very interesting topic for which much debate could occur. The sad part is the pharmaceutical companies would most likely bring about horrific hurdles as they line the pockets of the majority of politicians everywhere. I have dealt with alcoholism for 12 years and I have currently been sober for 32 months. It took a 16 month prison sentence for me to get over my own denial. I would not wish that upon anyone. However, now I am actually in school and my major is Psychology, my intentions later down the road, are to become a substance abuse counselor. I do hope that in the future we can make progress in shifting addiction treatment away from the prison systems which is where most addicts/ alcoholics end up assuming they do not first die or find recovery on their own. Even then, through prison systems there is still a revolving door. It is really sad. With the heroin epidemic which is impeding upon the world, I do hope that research efforts will progress and lead to better recovery options for those who will be needing it.

[jhixofficial]

Humanity has been doing psychedelics since the beginning of time

[keeza]

great wish the world were open to this working on trying to win my battle.

[fabulouswoman]

DMT worked for me in my addiction even though that is not why I took it.

[tmiexcursion]

Bill Wilson's "spiritual experience" was a psychedelic compound in the belladonna/brugmansia family

[DetaoMakesMusic]

Considering an ayahausca journey for addiction treatment. Has anyone else had luck with this way of treatment? What should you expect? How did you feel afterwards? And whats the longevity of the treatment afterwards?

[clintonlunn]

Him going to a shaman and taking pschycodelics may sound radical, but have you ever watched someone drink themselves to death?