Guide to Kratom Addiction and Abuse

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. With regard to any addiction-related health concerns, you should always seek the guidance of a qualified, registered physician who is licensed to practice medicine in your particular jurisdiction. You should never avoid or delay seeking professional health care advice or services based on information obtained from our website.

Individual counseling offers a one-on-one setting for a more personalized approach to treatment. Each of these therapies plays a crucial role in helping individuals work through their struggles and develop healthier coping strategies. Over time, this dependence can spiral into a full-blown addiction, making it hard to stop without help. In its natural habitat, kratom grows wild and has also been cultivated for various purposes. The plant has gained attention worldwide due to its unique properties, though its use remains controversial in some areas.

Emotional Symptoms

Tolerance development occurs with regular use, prompting some individuals to increase their doses over time. This escalation increases both the risk of dependence and the potential for adverse effects. U.S. and international agencies have expressed concern that kratom products may cause serious harm.1 There are no uses for kratom approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the FDA has warned consumers not to use kratom products because of potential adverse effects. Researchers are still learning how kratom and kratom compounds affect the body, as well as how short- and long-term kratom use may impact health.

Health and Safety Executive Schools

Kratom leaves are obtained from a tropical tree – Mitragyna Speciosa – that grows abundantly in Southeast Asia. These leaves contain psychoactive properties, meaning that kratom is a substance capable of altering the mind. With the rising popularity of kratom, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are reporting an addiction to kratom ranging from mild to moderate. 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. On the other hand, addiction is considered a chronic, primary disease that is marked by compulsive use, cravings, and continued use despite any negative consequences.

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Terms of UseThe information on this website is for general information purposes only. At Renaissance Recovery, we are dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of kratom addiction. Our specialized outpatient treatment programs can help set you up for long-term recovery. However, with continued, unmonitored use, an addiction will set in quickly. While kratom is often used for its mood-enhancing properties, excessive use can lead to problems, including depressive symptoms. That said, individual responses may vary, and some people may experience mood improvement with kratom use.

• The plant has gained attention worldwide due to its unique properties, though its use remains controversial in some areas.
• Regardless, kratom can compromise any user and set the stage for addiction.
• Kathy Jo Sample’s little sister Debra Jo was one who didn’t make it out of kratom addiction.
• These medications have extensive research supporting their safety and effectiveness, along with medical supervision to manage complications.
• Not only are the effects potent and fast-acting, but chronic kratom use can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

Kratom-related deaths have occurred, though many cases involve polysubstance use. According to CDC data analyzed by public health researchers, kratom is often found alongside other substances including opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. However, some cases involve kratom as the only identifiable substance, particularly when contaminated products or very high doses are involved. While some users combine these substances seeking enhanced stimulation, this combination increases the risk of adverse effects including anxiety, jitters, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Pain management represents one of the most common reasons people turn to kratom.

Preventing Relapse with Aftercare and Continued Support

Its opioid receptor activity and abuse potential have made it a target for regulation, though it remains federally unscheduled. How long does kratom stay in your system extends beyond the duration of effects. The primary alkaloid mitragynine has a half-life of approximately 3.5 hours, but complete elimination takes considerably longer. Metabolites may be detectable for several days after use, though standard drug tests do not typically screen for kratom. Kratom tea made by steeping powder in hot water may produce faster effects for some users, potentially within minutes, as the alkaloids are already in solution. However, how to make kratom tea effectively requires proper technique to extract the alkaloids efficiently without destroying them with excessive heat.

The difference between Maeng Da and Bali kratom illustrates the variation within these categories. Maeng Da, which translates roughly to “pimp grade,” is marketed as a particularly potent strain available in red, white, and green varieties. Bali kratom, typically found in red and green forms, is often described as producing more relaxing effects with pronounced pain relief. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.

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. Other reported effects that can result from kratom and stimulant combinations are constipation, hallucinations, and aggression.

Prolonged use often results in serious health problems, from chronic fatigue and nausea to more severe issues affecting organs and overall well-being. When combined with the social fallout of damaged relationships, these physical problems can severely deteriorate your quality of life. Kratom addiction produces frequent mood swings ranging from euphoria to irritability, depression, and emotional instability. Kratom is native to Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. This plant has a long history in its native regions, where Kratom has been used in traditional herbal medicine practices.

Using one substance with abuse liability to treat dependence on another creates obvious risks. Many individuals who initially used kratom to quit opioids find themselves dependent on kratom instead. However, the scientific evidence supporting kratom for pain remains limited.

• This plant has a long history in its native regions, where Kratom has been used in traditional herbal medicine practices.
• In states with specific regulations, age requirements range from 18 to 21 years old.
• Many experts say that in the meantime, it’s dangerous for them to be on the market.
• What makes kratom’s effect on the body so complex is that individuals may have different tolerances — the same dose can manifest very differently in two separate individuals.
• The legal status of kratom represents a complex, evolving patchwork that varies by jurisdiction.

Why Do People Use Kratom?

User testimonials frequently describe significant relief from chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain, and other persistent discomfort. Some individuals report that kratom provides pain relief comparable to prescription opioid medications without the same degree of sedation or cognitive impairment. (See the full WHO ECDD report on kratom.) Kratom remains on the list of substances under surveillance by the WHO ECDD.

But they also agree that there should be legal limits on mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content in products. Her doctor and family finally convinced her to quit kratom—and she went through intense withdrawal that included hallucinations and tremors—but by that point, “the damage was done,” Kathy Jo says. “Acute myocardial infarction”—a heart attack—brought on by “use of kratom” and a “long history of drug abuse,” according to a death certificate reviewed by Women’s Health. She was just 43 years old and left behind three children, the youngest one 12.

In terms of dosage, a few grams of kratom are enough to guide to kratom addiction and abuse produce stimulant effects. This can occur within 10 minutes of ingesting it and can last for up to 1.5 hours. Higher doses (between 10 and 25 grams) will produce opiate-like effects, and this can last for up to 6 hours. Similar to substances such as khat and coca, the kratom leaves and extracts have traditionally been used to heal wounds and as an intestinal deworming agent and local anesthetic. Kratom has also been used among laborers and other people in repetitive jobs to stave off exhaustion and hunger, and boost mood. Like most drugs, if kratom is abused or used in excess amounts, it can be physically and psychologically addictive.