We’ve heard a lot of talk among those in recovery interested in learning more about kratom. Many people get curious about kratom as an alternative way to manage withdrawal effects while in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). People also take it for chronic pain and other health conditions. You’ve probably seen it at a gas station or a supplement store near you.
It’s true that people in Asian countries have been using kratom medicinally for a long time. However, kratom comes with its own risks. It can cause both dependency, withdrawal, and addiction. In the United States, there are no laws and no systems to regulate products containing kratom. Some manufacturers may modify it to make it more potent, and they may use harmful additives like heavy metals. Because it’s not regulated, there’s almost no guarantee that what’s on a label is truthful. In fact, a few states have banned it, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
There may be some truth to the claims about kratom’s medicinal benefits, but they haven’t been evaluated or verified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Right now, there isn’t a way to tell for certain if the kratom products you buy will be safe or work as intended. It’s best to work with a care provider who can prescribe well-studied and regulated medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) like Suboxone.
In this blog post, we’ll share information you should know about kratom and its addictive properties.
Is kratom addictive?
Kratom can cause chemical dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction.
Kratom can produce a range of different effects because it has dozens of active components that can be manipulated with different kinds of processing. Depending on the dosage and the form of kratom, it can be energizing or act more like a sedative. It partially binds with the mu opioid receptor, which is the same one that’s activated by heroin and other addictive opiates.
Can a person overdose on kratom?
Taking too much kratom can be harmful. There are reports of people dying after taking kratom, but in many cases, there are other drugs in their system as well. Kratom can cause psychosis, which includes delusions (strongly held beliefs that aren’t true) and different kinds of hallucinations. It can make you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there. It can also cause a range of medical problems.
There are medical treatments that can potentially help reverse kratom overdose and ease withdrawal effects. However, because it hasn’t been widely studied, many doctors don’t know which medications are best to use and at what dosage. Narcan (naloxone) may be helpful for reversing a kratom overdose.
Some negative effects you might experience on kratom include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Psychosis (hallucinations or delusions)
- Seizures
- Liver damage
- Muscle pain
- High blood pressure
What does withdrawal from kratom look and feel like?
Withdrawal from kratom can be unpleasant and painful, just like other addictive substances. Symptoms may worsen depending on how long you’ve been taking it and what dosage you use. Tapering your dosage can help you manage withdrawal symptoms, and there is some evidence that buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) or tricyclic antidepressants can help. However, more clinical studies are needed to outline clear treatment guidelines.
Kratom has some known withdrawal symptoms, which include:
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Chills
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Restlessness
- Sudden mood changes
- Loose or watery bowel movements
- Runny nose
- Muscle and joint pain
Don’t risk kratom addiction when in recovery from opioid use disorder
There are a lot of barriers that keep people from receiving safe and legal medications for opioid use disorder that can help them stop using opioids. Some people may not have access to health insurance, and some doctors are wary of prescribing these medications because of the stigma attached to them. Some recovery programs have strict rules about what supplements they allow. It may seem like kratom is a more accessible alternative, and people who use it may claim that it’s safe as long as it’s used correctly. However, the risk of addiction is real, and there’s no way to guarantee that specific kratom products are safe.
If you want to stop using opioids, you don’t have to navigate recovery all by yourself. You can get support and safe access to MOUD. At Groups, we offer comprehensive care that combines prescription medications with counseling, support groups, and life-goal assistance. There’s no risk involved when you talk with our Recovery Support Specialists. We can provide more information about our services and help you decide if Groups is right for you.
Are you looking for help with recovery from OUD? Give us a call today. Let’s talk about some safe ways to manage withdrawal without risking addiction to another substance. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your state, you can locate other treatment options here.
