If you’re trying to figure out how to taper off kratom, follow this step-by-step guide to do so safely and effectively. Depending on your situation, reducing your risk of relapse may also include taking medications for anxiety or depression, seeing a therapist on a regular basis, or practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation. Learning techniques for relapse prevention and management is an important part of a long-term recovery plan. It’s important to remember that recovering from any addiction is an ongoing process that can take time. Be patient and kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Alternative Approaches: Evidence-Based Treatment Options
However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a drug of concern due to its risk of dependence and addiction. While kratom is milder than synthetic opioids, treatment is often needed for people who become addicted to it. Luckily, there are numerous treatment options available, which means that individuals can restore their health and lead new lives free from addiction. Kratom’s primary active compound, mitragynine, acts as a partial agonist at opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects similar to but distinct from traditional opioids. It also affects other neurotransmitter systems including serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic pathways, creating complex effects that vary by dose and individual factors.
Short-Term Effects of Kratom
In 2023, the family of Krystal Talavera, a 39-year-old Florida mother of four who died after taking kratom extract powder sold with a handwritten label, was awarded $11 million as a default judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit. Similar suits are happening across the country, from families in Oregon, Texas, Louisiana, and other states, and they could encourage companies to add more accurate labels and warnings to kratom products. She’d hit a different gas station in the afternoon for two more, embarrassed about potentially seeing the same cashier. At the height of her addiction, Jasmine was drinking 10 beverages per day, maxing out her credit cards and accumulating about $12,000 in debt.
Kratom Addiction: Exploring the Drug, Its Risks, and the Path to Recovery
About 2.1 million people in the U.S. have been reported to use kratom—whether as a “legal high,” a form of self-medication, or for other reasons 5. While research on kratom is still emerging, some studies do show that it may help manage symptoms of opioid use disorder or opioid withdrawal. At the same time, growing evidence suggests that kratom carries its own risk of dependence and may have addictive potential, particularly with frequent or high-dose use.
- Our team stays involved throughout detox to communicate with medical staff and plan a seamless transition into ongoing treatment tailored to the person’s needs.
- But perhaps more telling was that the comments section quickly filled with people who’d had similar experiences.
- This multifaceted nature of addiction often leads to a cycle of relapse, underscoring the necessity for a structured treatment approach that addresses both the body and mind.
- Employment screening and legal requirements make drug testing a common concern for kratom users.
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- The KCPA represents model legislation developed by the American Kratom Association to establish standards for kratom products rather than ban them outright.
- So when they started discussing a drink that was billed as a “plant-based herbal supplement” and alcohol alternative available for purchase at smoke shops and gas stations, her interest was piqued.
- Due to kratom’s legal status and ease of availability, abuse of the drug is on the rise.
- This is supported by a growing community of people providing anecdotal evidence of its benefits, especially on social media.
- During a trip to the emergency room, Debra Jo’s blood pressure was low—80/50 mm Hg—and she was having difficulty breathing.
She’s looking forward to hopefully gaining control again—of her life and finances. No one can say, exactly—more studies are needed seems to be the common refrain. Against this backdrop, the American Kratom Association is working to combat the notion that kratom alone kills people. When Jasmine filmed that nine-minute video about her experience with the tonics and posted it on TikTok, she had already amassed a couple thousand followers who’d listened to her preach about the benefits of sober living. Her confession has garnered nearly 78,000 likes and over a million views. But perhaps more telling was that the comments section quickly filled with people who’d had similar experiences.
At lower doses (typically 1-5 grams), users commonly report stimulant-like effects including increased energy, alertness, sociability, and reduced fatigue. Some describe these effects as similar to drinking strong coffee, though often more pronounced. This stimulating property explains why Southeast Asian laborers traditionally used kratom to enhance work capacity.
Understanding the timeline helps users anticipate effects and avoid the dangerous practice of “redosing” too quickly. For individuals who choose to use kratom despite the known risks, understanding dosing is critical for harm reduction. However, we must emphasize that no dose of kratom is officially recommended or approved by medical authorities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NIDA support and conduct research to measure and better understand the short- and long-term safety risks of kratom use and inform policy around kratom regulation. Seek out professionals and facilities that are supportive and ready to accommodate your unique needs and goals for treatment.
Caleb Alexander, MD, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It’s not just Jasmine and her commenters who’ve guide to kratom addiction and abuse found themselves suddenly dependent on a kratom-related product. TikTok has policies about showing and discussing drug usage on the site, but to get around the restrictions, TikTokers use #kr8tom and #krat0m to discuss their experiences—positive and negative—with the plant. If you’re wondering whether you or someone you know is developing a kratom addiction, there are ways to spot the signs.
Can Kratom Be Used as An Alternative to Morphine for Pain Management?
While evidence is quickly evolving, early studies have revealed important information about how the drug works. According to one study conducted on U.S. kratom users, researchers found that almost one-third have at least one SUD and one-fourth experienced major depression. One thing the researchers were quick to point out was that the data didn’t indicate that kratom itself was responsible for additional SUDs. So though it’s not uncommon for kratom users to abuse additional substances, their kratom use was not responsible for using another drug. Sometimes, though, the story doesn’t end with intervention, treatment, and recovery. And a Washington Post analysis found kratom listed as the leading or a partial cause of at least 4,100 deaths between 2020 and 2022.
Negative Health Consequences
Regular kratom use leads to tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a “Drug and Chemical of Concern” precisely because of these properties. While kratom advocates often emphasize benefits, understanding the most common kratom side effects for beginners and experienced users is essential for informed decision-making. The FDA and other health authorities have documented numerous adverse effects, some potentially serious. Second, kratom use for opioid withdrawal lacks rigorous clinical validation.
Despite being legally accessible as a dietary supplement federally, Kratom lacks approval for therapeutic usage in the United States due to inadequate research on its safety and efficacy. At Renaissance Recovery our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment to as many individuals as possible. Give us a call today to verify your insurance coverage or to learn more about paying for addiction treatment. Kratom can be addictive, but the level of addiction varies among individuals.
This is supported by a growing community of people providing anecdotal evidence of its benefits, especially on social media. Due to its action on the body’s opioid system, kratom poses a risk for abuse and dependency. Not only are the effects potent and fast-acting, but chronic kratom use can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.