A Guide to Kratom Withdrawal

Kratom is a substance known for its addictive properties. You’ll find it sold online and in some health food stores. Stores claim that it can relieve your pain and boost your mood. Others say that it helps with certain withdrawal symptoms, especially during opioid withdrawal. Though you may feel safe using kratom, it is a potentially dangerous substance.

What Is Kratom?

Whether you buy kratom in a supplement or tea, it comes from the same plant. The Mitragyna speciosa is a type of evergreen tree found only in parts of Southeast Asia. Though some people take the substance by chewing on the dried leaves, others use a liquid form or mix the liquid to make tea. It also appears as an ingredient in certain supplements. Some of the reasons why people use and abuse kratom are that it helps reduce pain and relieve cramps. Users also claim that it can prevent diarrhea and reduce their panic attacks.

Ways to Use Kratom

One of the more common forms of kratom is a powder. Kratom powder can range in color from light brown to dark green. Companies will take the leaves off the tree and dry them before crushing the leaves into a powder. They can then sell the powder as-is or mix it with other ingredients to make supplements. You’ll find both capsule and tablet supplements that use kratom as a main ingredient. Kratom is also available in a liquid form or a paste.

The Effects of Kratom

The effects that you experience when taking kratom depend on how much you take. A smaller dose of the substance has effects that are similar to those associated with opioids. It can help with your pain and give you more energy. Higher doses reduce pain and give you a euphoric feeling. That feeling, which is an intense high, is hard to recreate when you take kratom later. It also has a sedative effect that might help you relax and fall asleep. Many people abuse kratom in groups because its effects can be similar to those of ecstasy.

Possible Side Effects

Whenever you misuse or abuse kratom, you can experience some possible side effects. The more common side effects are nausea and trouble breathing. You may also see and hear hallucinations and find that you act in an aggressive manner. Long-term usage of the substance can lead to death. Though it’s possible to apply kratom to your skin, there isn’t any research into the side effects of that usage. Taking a higher dose of kratom or using the substance on a regular basis can increase your chances of becoming addicted to the substance, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that not everyone who uses the substance will suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can include involuntary muscle movement, also known as jerking, along with trouble sleeping. You may lose your appetite and find that you don’t want to eat and have nausea. Nausea can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms of withdrawal that you may experience include:

• Stomach cramps and pain
• Watery and itchy eyes
• Hot flashes
• Nervousness
• Depression

Can You Die From Using Kratom?

The odds that you might die from using kratom are low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90 people died from kratom usage in a 17-month period. The CDC study identified more than 150 people who had kratom in their systems when they died of drug overdoses, but the substance was only responsible for fewer than 100 of those deaths. All other users in the study died from different factors or a combination of drugs. Exercise caution if you plan to use kratom and make sure that you know how to safely withdraw from it.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Warning

In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to add kratom to its list of restricted substances. The government agency later dropped those plans but still warns users not to use kratom. According to the FDA, it has no approved reasons or uses for the substance. In combination with the U.S. Marshals, the government seized supplements and other products that listed kratom as an ingredient. The FDA wants to study the substance more in-depth before deciding whether to approve it for use in the United States.

How Long Does Withdrawal Last?

As you decide whether to go through withdrawal at home or with professional help, you should look at how long it takes to wean yourself off kratom. The symptoms usually begin within 24 hours of your last dose but may take up to 48 hours to appear. If you use kratom more often or take a higher dose, you can expect to develop withdrawal symptoms faster than someone who takes a smaller dose. Symptoms often last for one to three days though most users claim that they experienced symptoms for three or more days. In some rare cases, you may experience kratom withdrawal symptoms for up to a week.

Kratom Detox

Many people use kratom because of its stimulant effect. It can give you more energy and help you feel better about yourself. You may also find that a low dose helps you feel comfortable working or being around other people. A higher dose can help you relax at home after a long day and provide a euphoric effect. Though kratom is legal in the United States, it has enough potential side effects that you may want to avoid it.

What Is Detox?

Detox is a process designed to help you remove all traces of a specific substance from your body. Kratom detox allows you to safely stop using the substance and reduce your dependency on it. When you enroll in a detox program, a doctor and other professionals will help you stop using the drug and give you ways to occupy your time to help with your cravings.

Detox Versus Tapering

Some addicts believe that tapering is better than detox. Tapering is a process that has you slowly reduce the amount of kratom that you use. You start with a slightly smaller dose than you normally have and slowly reduce the amount each time you use it. One of the benefits of tapering is that it helps you avoid the side effects of withdrawal. When you stop using kratom with no warning, your brain can go into shock because it thinks it needs the substance. Tapering helps your brain and body adjust to a lower amount of kratom and eventually helps you stop using the drug.

Is Detoxing From Kratom at Home Safe?

Home detox is best for those who do not have a strong kratom dependency and have at least one person who can watch over them. If you do not have any loved ones who can stay with you and are long-term user, you should choose another detox option. Another thing to keep in mind is that a detox facility has access to medications that can reduce your withdrawal side effects that are not available when you detox at home.

Types of Detox Programs

There are several different types of detox options for kratom users, one of which is a hospital detox. You should visit the emergency room if you detox at home and suffer from side effects such as a rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, or seizures. The ER doctors can offer medications that help with your symptoms. They can also help you get a bed in a rehab facility if you need more help than you can get in the hospital.

With outpatient detox, you check into a facility and have someone monitor you as you wean yourself off kratom. Outpatient detox programs can take place in hospitals and treatment centers. You get the benefit of having a medical professional watching over you who can prescribe any medicine that you need. On the other hand, these centers do not offer any follow-up care once you complete the program.

Inpatient detox is another option. This is where you check into a facility and spend some time there. The detox process usually takes a few days, after which you have the option of staying in a treatment program or checking out. Inpatient programs are a good choice if you worry that you don’t have enough support at home or that you’ll feel tempted to use kratom once you detox.

Benefits of Professional Detox

Though you can withdraw from kratom at home, you never know what symptoms you might experience. Though some claim that withdrawal feels no worse than the common cold, there is always a risk that you might need more help. You can even suffer from a kratom overdose that causes you to stop breathing. Going through detox under guidance from a professional allows that individual to keep an eye on you and make sure you’re safe. You also have the choice to take other medications that can help with your symptoms and your pain, especially if you used kratom to relieve pain.

Kratom Addiction Treatment

Between 2011 and 2017, the number of people who called poison control for help with kratom overdoses increased from 13 to 682. Many of these calls concerned adults who were 20 years or older, but there were several calls about children exposed to the drug as well as newborns. If you are pregnant or nursing your baby and using kratom at the same time, you risk transferring the drug to your baby. Babies exposed to the drug can go through the same withdrawal symptoms as their mothers do.

Even if you’re not pregnant or nursing, you still need to be careful when using kratom. The more dependent you are on kratom, the more you become addicted to it. Long-term users have a greater chance of suffering extreme side effects such as the dry mouth and itchy skin. You may find that you have a higher chance of becoming sunburned than you did before or that you are sensitive to the sun. Some of the other side effects include:

• Constipation
• Urination
• Loss of appetite
• Anorexia

Though some recommend using kratom to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and to help with pain, there is no research to prove those claims. As you look at the kratom withdrawal timeline, which lasts from one day up to a week, you should think about the best treatment for you. Many treatment centers offer detox programs that help you stop using kratom. Once you detox, you can feel more comfortable as you work on the issue that caused your addiction to the drug. These centers are available in various cities across the country, including some that are close to you.

Get Help Today

If you need help with kratom addiction or withdrawal, reach out to a qualified treatment center. In addition to easing you through the physical symptoms, entering treatment can help you address the reasons that you developed a kratom addiction. If you’re ready to take your life back, call us today.