Kratom

Kratom

The popularity of kratom has risen in recent years, translating into a significant increase in cases of kratom abuse and addiction and necessitating a need for comprehensive kratom rehab. Known for its stimulating and sedative effects, kratom is used by many people as a means of relieving pain, indigestion, anxiety, and insomnia. Others use kratom to wean themselves off an opioid addiction. Others still use it for its mind-altering properties. But no matter how you use it, kratom is ripe for abuse and dangerous.

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a substance originating from a tree native to Southeast Asia, the Mitragyna speciosa. The leaves from this tree can be put in tea, on food, smoked, or turned into a pill. Kratom can be legally purchased as a powder, extract, or gum.

Kratom is classified as a mind-altering substance due to the psychotropic reaction users experience after taking it. Kratom’s active ingredients—mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing relief from pain and mild euphoria.

While some kratom proponents suggest the substance has therapeutic benefits, like pain management and opioid withdrawal relief, its legality and safety have been subjects of ongoing debate. For instance, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies kratom as a “drug of concern.” In addition, many countries have declared kratom illegal.

In truth, little is known about kratom. There is relatively little information about how kratom interacts with other substances when ingested, including:

Effects of Kratom Abuse + Misuse

Many people use kratom to help intensify the effects of alcohol. What they may not realize is that alcohol’s depressant effects reduce kratom’s stimulant effects, and so they are in danger of consuming more or both of either substance. Of course, repeatedly piling one drug on top of another can lead to overdose and other dangerous medical symptoms.

Like other controversial supplements sold in the U.S., no federal or state agencies monitor the production of kratom products. For this reason, kratom is often cut with dangerous substances like salmonella and heavy metals. The side effects of using kratom cut with such substances include cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, fever, and kidney damage.

Signs and Symptoms of Kratom Addiction

It may be tempting to consider kratom as harmless, since it is technically legal. However, a substance need not be outlawed for it to threaten one’s health and well-being. The following signs and symptoms could indicate an addiction to kratom:

What Causes Kratom Addiction?

Like many drugs, kratom has chemical properties that bind with the brain’s opioid receptors. Because of this, many people consider it a safer alternative to, or even a “cure” for opioid or heroin addiction since the risk of overdose is comparably low.

However, kratom is physically addictive. In small doses, it can have the same effects as those of many stimulants: alertness, physical stamina, and increased sociability while in large doses, it has sedative effects. The regular use of kratom can result in weight loss, fatigue, and other possible health risks.

How To Know It’s Time to Get Help for Kratom

Substance use disorder is a complex disease that can develop gradually without the user even realizing it. Some may continue taking kratom without realizing the toll it has taken on their health, their finances, and their relationships with friends and family members. The following signs may indicate it’s time to seek professional help for kratom addiction:

Kratom Rehab Options

Finding professional help for kratom addiction can be a tricky process. Choosing the most appropriate rehab option depends on the severity of one’s addiction, one’s individual needs, and the resources available.

In severe cases of kratom addiction, a medically supervised detoxification in a supervised setting may be necessary. After all, these detox programs can help people manage their withdrawal symptoms, ensuring a safer detox.

At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, our outpatient (OP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs offer flexibility for those who cannot commit to a 30-day residential or inpatient treatment. In OP, patients attend therapy sessions and counseling while living at home, allowing them to maintain work or family commitments. We also incorporate holistic therapies to complement traditional treatments.

In addition, support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or kratom-specific groups offer peer support and a sense of community for those in recovery.

Benefits of Kratom Addiction Rehab

Kratom rehab offers several benefits to those struggling with an addiction to this controversial substance. First, rehab helps people break the cycle of dependence, reducing the immediate health risks. Kratom rehab also addresses the underlying mental health issues that may have contributed to substance abuse, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The kratom rehab program of Gulf Coast Recovery Center provide a supportive environment for recovery, offering coping strategies, life skills, and relapse prevention tools. Ultimately, seeking treatment for kratom addiction can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling future.