What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia with compounds that have opioid-like effects. For centuries, it was used in traditional medicine for pain, anxiety, and depression. It has recently become a popular recreational drug. The main active compounds in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, affect the body’s opioid receptors, creating effects much like opioids such as morphine.
Kratom has a stimulant effect at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses. It can also create a feeling of euphoria, which makes it attractive for recreational use. Although kratom may have some health benefits, there are also risks like physical dependence and overdose.
Kratom is usually taken by swallowing a pill or powder, but it can also be smoked or brewed into tea. Its effects typically last 4-6 hours. Users may feel increased energy, alertness, and a sense of well-being, and they may become more talkative.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom’s two active substances, mitragynine and 7-α-hydroxymitragynine, affect opioid receptors in the brain. An addiction can develop after using the drug for only a few weeks.
Why Do People Use Kratom?
People mainly use kratom for its strong stimulant and opioid-like effects, which can cause euphoria and improve mood. Users may feel more energy, alertness, and focus, similar to the effects of cocaine or amphetamines. Some use it for pain relief, anxiety, depression, or to self-medicate. Others take it for stomach issues, nausea, or to reduce opioid cravings. Despite its potential benefits, kratom is controversial because it is very addictive, like opioids. High doses or mixing kratom with other drugs can lead to serious side effects and even death. Some research suggests kratom is more addictive than drugs like alcohol or morphine.
How Kratom Addiction Develops
Regular kratom users may develop a psychological dependence, requiring more of it to feel the same effects. As the brain becomes used to psychoactive substances like kratom, a physical dependence and tolerance build. This means the person needs even more of the drug to get the desired effect.
As the body gets used to higher doses, taking more of the drug often leads to addiction or drug dependence. Addiction means a person continues to use the drug despite harmful outcomes like withdrawal symptoms, poor health, relationship problems, and financial trouble.
Kratom addiction is a serious issue that can lead to compulsive drug use, health risks, and mental illness. Since kratom is legal and easy to buy, it is often misused for fun or for opioid withdrawal symptoms. A major problem is that the amount of its active ingredient, mitragynine, varies widely. This makes the dose and its effects hard to predict, which can easily lead to addiction.
Kratom Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms
Kratom addiction is a serious concern, especially for long-term users. When people with an addiction try to stop taking it, they often have withdrawal symptoms. Common kratom withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Severe depression
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Fever
The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that kratom addiction affects people differently. Some of the physical symptoms and effects of using kratom include:
- Feeling off without the drug
- Feeling restless
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches
- Tremors
- Muscle jerks
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Changes in urine
- Sweating
- Increased energy
- Inability to feel pain
- Breathing problems
- Changes in skin color
- Nausea
- Vomiting
There are also mental, emotional, and social symptoms of using kratom, including:
- Decreased libido
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Delusions
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Panic
- Poor decision-making
Common psychological symptoms of kratom abuse include being very talkative, failing to meet responsibilities, and trying to stop using but being unable to.
When you stop using the drug, you will likely have kratom withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists some signs of kratom withdrawal, including:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Anger or aggression
- Irritability
- Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
Like with opioids, how bad kratom withdrawal symptoms get depends on how long the drug was used, the dose, and other factors. Because the amount of the active ingredient in kratom changes, it is also possible to overdose. Common signs of a kratom overdose include:
- Agitation
- Extreme drowsiness
- Delusions
- Coma
- High blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle spasms
- Respiratory depression
Will You Experience Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms?
Some people may have mild kratom withdrawal symptoms, while others have more severe reactions. How strong the symptoms are depends on the dose, length of use, and personal factors. Generally, people who have used high doses of kratom for a long time are more likely to have stronger withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom can cause serious, life-threatening side effects, so it is important to get professional help if you think you might be addicted. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one having withdrawal symptoms, contact our kratom detox center at (888) 915-5708 for treatment options.
Kratom Detox and Addiction Treatment Programs
Before addressing the root causes of addiction, the body must be cleared of the substance while withdrawal symptoms are safely managed. When quitting kratom, you can detox alone or use a full kratom detox program. Trying to detox from psychoactive drugs by yourself can be dangerous. It is highly recommended to seek professional help from a trusted treatment center to avoid severe kratom withdrawal symptoms.
Our kratom detox center provides personal treatment plans designed for each client’s needs. Our experienced medical professionals will develop an effective plan with you that includes proven treatments, such as individual counseling and group therapy, to provide emotional support.
We also provide support services for kratom withdrawal, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), to help manage cravings and symptoms. Our goal is to ensure clients can manage their withdrawal symptoms and achieve lasting recovery from substance abuse and any related mental health disorders.
Kratom Detox and Withdrawal Process
Our kratom detox center provides a safe, comfortable place for clients to focus on recovery. The medical detox process usually starts with an assessment of the client’s physical, mental, and emotional health. After that, a personal treatment plan is created based on the person’s needs and goals.
We offer 24-hour care and support during medical detox to keep our clients safe and comfortable through kratom withdrawal. The goal is to slowly wean people off kratom in a safe, controlled way. We also offer support services and medication-assisted treatment to help clients manage any severe withdrawal symptoms that may appear.
Kratom Withdrawal Timeline
The kratom withdrawal timeline is different for everyone and depends on how serious the addiction is and other personal factors. In general, here are some stages you might go through during the detox process:
Day 1-3
In this stage, you may feel fewer cravings and physical symptoms like fatigue and sweating. Psychological symptoms may still be present, but usually fade over time.
Day 4-7
During this stage, you may experience depression, intense cravings, and symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, and anxiety.
Day 8-14
During this stage, you may experience decreased cravings and physical symptoms such as fatigue and sweating. Psychological symptoms can still be present but typically diminish over time.
Day 14+
By this stage, most physical and psychological symptoms should have gone away. However, it is important to know that some people may have lasting psychological effects like depression and anxiety.
Inpatient Treatment Program
After drug detox, we encourage clients to join our inpatient recovery program to maintain long-term sobriety. This program offers a safe environment to work on the root causes of addiction. During live-in treatment, you receive constant medical care and supervision, plus access to a kratom addiction support group, individual therapy, and group sessions.
All our programs offer the personal treatment you need. After we check your physical and mental health, we can create a plan to help you stop using kratom for good.
If you or a loved one struggles with kratom addiction, please contact our team at our kratom detox center. We are here to offer the support and resources you need to break free from addiction and begin a healthier life. Don’t wait – call us today at (888) 915-5708.
Overcome Substance Use Disorder and Withdrawal at Our Drug Rehab in Los Angeles, California
Overcome addiction by calling our drug rehab in Los Angeles, CA, at (888) 915-5708 to begin a kratom treatment program. With the right mix of care and addiction medicine, you or your loved one can safely manage the challenges of drug addiction and related mental health disorders to achieve lasting recovery.
Our rehab center takes most private health insurance and some public health plans. A team member can work with your insurance provider to help you understand your coverage and lower your out-of-pocket costs. If you do not have insurance, we can help you explore your treatment options.
