A call from Spirit

“The single most essential attribute of my sobriety became my spiritual awareness and my devotion to a life of healing”

Throughout my long career of drug abuse and destructive behavior, I experienced brief pockets of respite — moments of sobriety, clarity, and hope. Over the years of using and recovering, one truth kept surfacing: real healing requires awakening to Spirit. So, I went all in. I learned that everything we need is already within us; we only need to access it. Once we do, we begin to remember, and our lives bloom into truth with love and all good things.

 I decided to face the darkness that haunted me — the wounds and imprints that drove me to act the way I did. The single most essential attribute of my sobriety became my spiritual awareness and my devotion to a life of healing. In confronting my shadows, I began to see the patterns that have shaped me, and I opened the door to change.

 Now is the time to awaken to who you are. Ask yourself: what and who am I? Why am I here? The path is waiting; the first sincere step opens it. From there you can return to a positive mentality — thinking and acting with virtue each day. Give it a try. Have clear intuition and affirmed intention. Cultivate faith and devotion. Be grateful for the miracle of life and the blessed gift of love.

 Look within. Do you know what you’re looking at? Spirit is calling you to be remembered. Awakening to spirit brings the deeper joy we were meant to experience — a contentment and gratitude that grounds us in the gift of being alive.

 Are you or a loved one ready to embark on a path of healing and transformation? Reach out to us for an introductory conversation to see if this is right for you.

Open paths,

Drew

The Importance of Integration and Aftercare in Addiction Recovery

In recent years, plant medicines like Iboga and Ayahuasca have gained recognition for their transformative potential in healing trauma and treating addiction. While these sacred medicines can catalyze deep emotional breakthroughs, a crucial aspect of the healing work continue after the ceremony ends. This is where integration and aftercare become not only important but essential for sustainable recovery.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert in trauma and addiction, emphasizes that addiction is not a disease or a moral failing, but a response to deep emotional pain and disconnection. In his work, he highlights the importance of creating conditions for lasting change through compassion, safety, and ongoing support. Maté is also a vocal advocate for the therapeutic use of Ayahuasca, noting its ability to help individuals access repressed trauma and find renewed purpose (Psychotherapy Networker).

However, Maté and many other professionals in the field stress that these experiences must be followed by intentional integration. As clinical psychologist Dr. Rosalind Watts, former clinical lead of Imperial College London’s psilocybin trials, has said, "Psychedelic experiences can open the door, but it is the integration work that helps us walk through it." Without integration, individuals risk losing the insights gained during ceremony, or becoming overwhelmed by the emotional material that surfaces.

At Nova Vida, we recognize this crucial phase of healing. Our approach to addiction recovery goes beyond the ceremony, offering a comprehensive aftercare program that includes one-on-one integration coaching, mindfulness and meditation practices, somatic therapies, and holistic lifestyle support. This structure helps individuals ground their experiences, create new patterns, and stay connected to a sense of purpose and healing.

Research supports this approach. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that participants who engaged in structured integration following psychedelic treatment for substance use disorders showed greater improvements in emotional regulation and reduced relapse rates compared to those without such support.

Integration also aligns with the principles of harm reduction, which emphasize dignity, respect, and meeting people where they are. At Nova Vida, we do not view recovery as a linear path or a one-size-fits-all process. Instead, we honor each person's unique journey and provide the tools and guidance needed to support their continued healing.

In conclusion, while plant medicines can spark the healing process, it is through integration and aftercare that transformation is sustained. At Nova Vida, we are committed to walking alongside each individual beyond the ceremony, helping them embody the insights they have gained and build a life of meaning, connection, and freedom from addiction.