Can Kratom Withdrawal Be Treated in Rehab?
Kratom, the name of a popular drug, is consumed from the leaves of a tropical tree found in Southeast Asia. While it’s growing in popularity for its combination of stimulant and sedative effects, it’s not a safe substance to use. This drug can cause many problems, including psychotic symptoms, mental and physical dependence, and even kratom withdrawal symptoms if someone has been using it for a while and tries to quit. If you’re wondering what rehab is like and how to prepare for kratom addiction treatment, there are some important things you should know about this substance.
Table of contents
» Is Kratom Addictive?
» What Are the Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal?
» Can Kratom Withdrawal Be Safely Managed in a Rehab Setting?
» What Types of Therapy Help With Kratom Dependence?
» Key Takeaways on Kratom Withdrawal
» Resources
Is Kratom Addictive?
Many people have questions about kratom, which hasn’t been widely available in the U.S. until more recent years, including is kratom legal and whether can it be addictive. Knowing the answers to these questions can help people prepare for any possible kratom withdrawal experiences that they’ll have as they try to quit this drug. At low doses, users feel stimulant effects like increased alertness, energy, or increased talkativeness. With a higher dose, it causes more sedative effects, and using it can lead to addiction over time.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can cause many impacts to the body, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Drowsiness
- Appetite loss
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Delusions and confusion
- Increased heart rate
While kratom isn’t under the Controlled Substances Act, some states have regulated or prohibited its possession or use. It’s important to note that kratom hasn’t been approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has actually listed it as a Drug and Chemical of Concern—highlighting its uncertain status and the need for caution when it comes to using this drug, even if it isn’t technically illegal.
What Are the Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal?
This drug, which comes from a tropical plant that is prevalent in Southeast Asia, has long served as a traditional remedy for many different illnesses. In more recent times, some people have turned to kratom as a drug to help them offset or get through opioid withdrawal symptoms. Still, it’s not an effective option for treating this because kratom itself can lead to dependence and addiction, and people who have used the drug for a while are at risk of suffering from kratom withdrawal as they try to quit.
Withdrawal symptoms of kratom can include many things, including:
- Intense cravings to use more kratom
- Depressed mood
- Feeling anxious, irritable, restless, or tense
- Muscle aches and pains
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Teary eyes
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Feeling like you have a fever
- Appetite loss
- Tremors
- Itching
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chills
Unfortunately, withdrawal symptoms have also been reported in newborns who were born to a mother who was a kratom user, showing that even these babies can suffer from problems due to the use of this drug. While much more research is needed to fully understand the extent of effects of kratom, as well as its potential for developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction that can lead to withdrawal, it’s clear already that this isn’t a safe substance and any supposed or perceived benefits that are promoted for using this drug can lead to dangerous, uncomfortable problems down the road.
Can Kratom Withdrawal Be Safely Managed in a Rehab Setting?
If kratom withdrawal can happen to users who try to quit, how can professionals help people get through this period of time and feel better so they can focus on overcoming their kratom addiction? Some research has suggested promising treatment possibilities of using opioid detox medications like buprenorphine-naloxone to help people detox from kratom, as well as a possible maintenance replacement therapy for people who are dependent on kratom. Other research has found that other substances, including clonidine or dihydrocodeine and lofexidine, can be effective in helping people get through the detox process for kratom in a better manner.
For many substances, people who seek addiction treatment will first start with a short but vitally important period of medical detox in a specialized treatment facility. While here for a matter of days or a couple of weeks, they will get round-the-clock medical supervision and access to medications that can help them deal with possible withdrawal symptoms like psychological distress, aches and pains, and cravings to use more of the drug.
By assisting people to get through the worst of withdrawal symptoms while remaining comfortable and safe, medical detox programs can be a crucial head start to the overall addiction treatment process. Once they’re through detox, patients are much more stable and ready to focus on the mental and physical aspects of their addiction once they start their drug rehab programs.
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What Types of Therapy Help With Kratom Dependence?
It’s clear that there are many scary possible effects of kratom, including:
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Liver damage
- Pains
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Depression and anxiety
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Tremors or seizures
So, what kinds of therapy can help someone address their kratom dependence and work through these issues while in a drug rehab program? There are no approved medical therapies for kratom addiction or withdrawal yet.
Still, other addiction treatment interventions can help people get through this period of time and deal with their addictions, including individual and group therapy, coping skills training, family therapy, and medication-assisted treatment in some cases. By focusing on the underlying causes of addiction and helping patients work through these issues, people can leave a rehab program feeling strong and ready to face future challenges without resorting to relapsing on addictive substances like kratom.
Key Takeaways on Kratom Withdrawal
- Kratom is consumed from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It has long been used as a traditional remedy to treat many different illnesses.
- Kratom isn’t illegal in most states, but it isn’t medically approved for anything in the United States.
- Kratom can cause psychological and physiological problems in users, and its use can lead to developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction problems.
- Kratom withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant and drive many people back into relapse if they try to quit on their own.
- Medical detox programs can help people stabilize and feel better as they get through kratom withdrawal, so they can fully focus on addressing the mental and physical aspects of their addiction in a drug rehab program.
Kratom is increasingly popular – but that doesn’t mean it’s a harmless substance, and many people end up developing a dependence or addiction to this drug if they use it. If you or someone you love is struggling with kratom addiction and is worried about getting through the withdrawal process, WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab can help. Our experts at our network of drug addiction treatment centers in Florida know how to help people address the physical and mental components of their addictions and learn how to live a better, healthier life without the struggles of drug use.
Call us at 877-855-3470 today to learn how to get started on the road to recovery.
Resources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Kratom
- National Library of Medicine – Kratom Dependence and Treatment Options: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
- Mayo Clinic – Kratom: Unsafe and Ineffective
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration – Kratom
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
