Kratom Addiction

What is Kratom? 

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Consumption of its leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses), and can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence. Kratom leaves contain two major psychoactive ingredients (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine). These leaves are crushed and then smoked, brewed with tea, or placed into gel capsules. Kratom has a long history of use in Southeast Asia, where it is commonly known as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum, and biak. In the U.S., the abuse of kratom has increased markedly in recent years. 

How is it abused? 

Mostly abused by oral ingestion in the form of a tablet, capsule, or extract. Kratom leaves may also be dried or powdered and ingested as a tea, or the kratom leaf may be chewed. 

What are the effects?

At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness. At high doses, users experience sedative effects. Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. Several cases of psychosis resulting from use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion. 

What does it do to the body? 

Kratom’s effects on the body include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Users of kratom have also experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, hepatotoxicity, seizure, and hallucinations. 

What is its legal status?

Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act; however, there may be some state regulations or prohibitions against the possession and use of kratom. The FDA has not approved Kratom for any medical use. In addition, DEA has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.

How widely is kratom used?

On the Internet, kratom is marketed in a variety of forms, including kratom capsules, kratom drinks, kratom tea, raw leaf, powder, gum, pressed into tablets, and as a concentrated extract. In the US and Europe, it appears its use is expanding, and recent reports note increasing use by the college-aged population.

The DEA states that drug abuse surveys have not monitored kratom use or abuse in the US, so its true demographic extent of use, abuse, addiction, or toxicity is not known. However, as reported by the DEA in 2016, there were 660 calls to U.S. poison centers related to kratom exposure from 2010 to 2015.

In 2019, the FDA warned several manufacturers over false claims that their products containing kratom can treat or cure opioid addiction. The companies also made unproven claims for treatment for pain, depression, anxiety and cancer.

Is kratom addictive?

Kratom is well-known to be addictive, as found with traditional use by natives over many years in Southeast Asian countries. Withdrawal effects similar to narcotic withdrawal and drug-seeking behaviors have been described in users in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian countries have restricted the use of kratom due to the potential for abuse.

The fact that kratom is derived from a plant should not lead consumers to be believe it is 100% safe and “all-natural”. While certainly not all botanicals have dangerous properties, drugs with dangerous effects can come from botanicals, for example, heroin (opium poppy), cocaine (coca leaves), and nicotine (tobacco).

How does kratom make you feel?

Most of the psychoactive effects of kratom have evolved from anecdotal and case reports. Kratom has an unusual action of producing both stimulant effects at lower doses and more CNS depressant side effects at higher doses.

• Stimulant effects manifest as increased alertness, boosted physical energy, talkativeness, and a more social behavior.
• At higher doses, the opioid and CNS depressant effects predominate, but effects can be variable and unpredictable.

Reviews from consumers and the public who have used kratom report lessened anxiety, stress, and fatigue, pain relief, sharpened focus, and relief of withdrawal symptoms. Beside pain, other anecdotal uses include as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (to lower fever), antitussive (cough suppressant), antihypertensive (to lower blood pressure), as a local anesthetic, to lower blood sugar, and as an antidiarrheal. It has also been promoted to enhance sexual function. It’s important to note that none of these uses have been studied clinically or are proven to be safe or effective.

It has been reported that opioid-addicted individuals use kratom to help avoid narcotic-like withdrawal side effects when other opioids are not available. Kratom withdrawal side effects may include irritability, anxiety, craving, yawning, runny nose, stomach cramps, sweating and diarrhea – all similar to opioid withdrawal.

Mixing kratom, other opioids, and other types of medication can be dangerous. Kratom has been shown to have opioid receptor activity, and mixing prescription opioids, or even over-the-counter medications such as loperamide, with kratom may lead to CNS depression and serious side effects.

Getting help for kratom addiction

Although kratom is sometimes touted as a pathway to overcoming opioid addiction, kratom itself is highly addictive. Kratom addiction can occur within six months, leading to symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal, including intense cravings, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. 

If you recognize the signs of kratom withdrawal, it’s important to work with a doctor who specializes in addiction. Kratom withdrawal symptoms are difficult to endure alone. A physician can guide you through an assisted detox to overcome physical dependence so you can focus on tackling the underlying issues of your kratom use, such as opioid addiction, chronic pain or depression. 

Often, full kratom addiction treatment programs also include behavioral or family therapy. This allows you to explore the reasons behind your addiction and acquire tools to manage situations that lead to drug use. Additionally, you’ll receive aftercare guidance, making it easier to assimilate and rebuild a healthy life while avoiding relapse. 

Ultimately, kratom addiction can be serious. As a result, it’s important to work with a professional throughout the recovery process. Call the number below or ask a question in the chat box to start your journey toward recovery.

Bottom Line

• Kratom, an herbal product that originated in Southeast Asia, is being used in the US to ease anxiety, treat chronic pain and to reverse opioid withdrawal symptoms; often purchased over the Internet. Recreational use may be on the rise, and it is legal in many US states, but illegal in others.
• Kratom has opioid properties. Mitragynine is classified as a kappa-opioid receptor agonist and is roughly 13 times more potent than morphine. Mitragynine is thought to be responsible for the opioid-like effects.
• According to the FDA, deaths with kratom use have occurred, the scientific literature has disclosed serious concerns regarding the toxicity of kratom in multiple organ systems, and kratom affects the same opioid receptors as morphine.
• The FDA continues to warn consumers not to use any products labeled as containing kratom.