Author: Alex Thompson

Kratom Abuse Symptoms: Signs & Dangers to Watch For

A 2021 animal study involving morphine-dependent mice found kratom compounds may have some clinical value in opioid withdrawal treatment. Mice treated with kratom compounds experienced significantly fewer symptoms of withdrawal than expected and than the control group. Of course, animal studies are not an exact one-to-one with human outcomes.

When kratom is used during pregnancy, the infant may have symptoms of withdrawal after birth. We provide our readers with factual, evidence-based content concerning the causes and nature of addiction, as well as available treatment options. However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only. It is by no means a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should never avoid or delay seeking professional health care advice or services based on information obtained from our website.

Containing compounds that produce psychotropic (mind-altering) effects, the leaves of the tree can be chewed, ground into a powder, or taken as an extract or gum. Admitting there’s a problem is a first step to understanding the importance of seeking treatment with a qualified healthcare provider in-person or virtually (online). The next step is reaching out for help or encouraging someone else to do so. Kratom use has been increasing and is actually a scheduled substance in some countries because of its stimulant- and opioid-like effects.

Kratom Side Effects

While kratom is sold as a dietary supplement in some states in the U.S., it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use. The FDA warns people not to use it due to the risk of addiction, misuse and dependence. Intoxication symptoms (such as hallucinations, confusion, or sedation) offer clear evidence of kratom abuse. Kratom can be deadly at high doses, and withdrawal symptoms are common in regular users.

Because withdrawal is often not pleasant, many people look for ways to ease the symptoms. Some people take medicines or substances to try to ease their symptoms. Common treatments for Kratom addiction are listed below. The goal of treatment is to help you lead a healthy, drug-free life. Treatment may also address related health conditions, such as depression or anxiety.

Kratom is also used at music festivals and in other recreational settings. People who use kratom for relaxation report that because it is plant-based, it is natural and safe. However, the amount of active ingredient in kratom plants can vary greatly, making it difficult to gauge the effect of a given dose.

1. You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery.
2. Brain cells accustomed to kratom don’t function well without it.
3. At low doses, kratom has energizing (stimulant) effects.
4. NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation.
5. Due to its action on the body’s opioid system, kratom poses a risk for abuse and dependency.
6. Five of the seven infants who were reported to have been exposed to kratom went through withdrawal.

Remember that drug use changes the structure and chemistry of the brain, making it impossible to simply stop taking the drug. Your friend or loved one might try to hide an addiction from you. You might wonder if it’s drug use or something else, such as a stressful job or teenage hormones.

What About Kratom Overdose?

Learning techniques for relapse prevention and management is an important part of a long-term recovery plan. Kratom detox may involve gradually reducing the drug dose to minimize these effects. There is relatively little research about kratom detox and withdrawal. Your loved one might deny having a problem at all or refuse to seek help. If that happens, seek out additional resources or find a support group for family members or friends of people living with addiction. The first step is identifying any misconceptions you may have about drug use and addiction.

At higher doses, it reduces pain and may bring on euphoria. At very high doses, it acts as a sedative, making users quiet and perhaps sleepy. Some people who practice Asian traditional medicine consider kratom to be a substitute for opium. Kratom is promoted as a treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms from opioid medicines. But it can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms of its own.

And there are hundreds of websites that will mail this drug to consumers. Kratom is a fairly new drug in America but it has long been used in Southeast Asia. Kratom is the name of a tree that is native to the area, scientific name Mitragyna speciosa. The leaves are used as a stimulant or a sedative, depending on how much is taken. Usage has recently spread across the US with the claim that this drug is both legal and undetectable.

But kratom overdose can also be caused by other factors. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Therapy can be intensive during the first weeks and months of treatment. Later, you might transition to seeing a therapist on a less frequent basis.

Physical and Neurological Effects of Kratom

There are also some strains of kratom that are more potent and can lead to a quicker onset of dependence. Due to kratom’s legal status and ease of availability, abuse of the drug is on the rise. In the U.S., it is often marketed as a nutritional or dietary supplement. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a drug of concern due to its risk of dependence and addiction. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess your overall health. They can also discuss your options for treatment, refer you to a treatment center, and answer any questions you have about what happens next.

Does Kratom Work for Treating Opiate Withdrawal?

Addiction can occur with or without physical dependence on the drug, though physical dependence is a common feature. Drug dependence refers to a physical state in which your body is dependent on a drug. You need more and more of the substance to achieve the same effect (tolerance).

You experience mental and physical effects (withdrawal) if you stop taking the drug. There are also more serious signs and symptoms of kratom abuse. The DEA notes that some people have suffered from periods of psychosis, including hallucinations, aggression, hostility, and confusion. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Brain cells accustomed to kratom don’t function well without it.