Understanding Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa Korth)
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa Korth, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. For centuries, workers in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have chewed kratom leaves or brewed them into tea to combat fatigue and increase productivity. The plant contains alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain. This interaction can produce effects ranging from stimulation at lower doses to sedation and pain relief at higher doses.
In Western countries, kratom has emerged as an alternative remedy marketed for various purposes. Some people use it to manage chronic pain, while others turn to it as a way to self-treat anxiety or depression. Additionally, some individuals attempting to overcome opioid addiction have used kratom as a substitute, believing it to be a safer option. However, the lack of regulation and standardization in the kratom industry means that the potency and purity of products can vary dramatically.
The Reality of Kratom Use
Kratom use has expanded rapidly despite ongoing debates about its safety and legal status. Users can purchase kratom in various forms, including dried leaves, powder, capsules, extracts, and even beverages. The ease of access, combined with marketing that often downplays potential risks, has contributed to its growing popularity. Many vendors promote kratom as a natural, safe alternative to prescription medications, but this narrative overlooks the substance’s addictive potential.
Recognizing Physical Dependence
Physical dependence develops when the body adapts to the regular presence of a substance and begins to require it to function normally. With kratom, physical dependence can occur surprisingly quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks of daily use. The body adjusts its chemistry to compensate for kratom’s effects on opioid receptors, and when the substance is suddenly removed, the body struggles to maintain balance.
Users who have developed physical dependence on kratom will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop or reduce their intake. These symptoms can be distressing enough that many people continue using kratom simply to avoid feeling sick. The cycle of using to prevent withdrawal is a hallmark of addiction, trapping individuals in a pattern that becomes increasingly difficult to break without help.
Common physical signs of kratom dependence include:
Tolerance, where larger amounts are needed to achieve the desired effects
Withdrawal symptoms within hours of their last dose, including muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, and anxiety
Prioritizing kratom use over other activities
Hiding consumption from family and friends
Experiencing financial strain due to purchasing kratom products regularly
Understanding Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
While kratom is not technically an opioid, it acts on the same brain receptors, which means that discontinuing use can produce opioid withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the duration and intensity of use. Understanding these withdrawal effects is crucial for recognizing addiction and seeking appropriate treatment.
Individuals withdrawing from kratom commonly experience:
Physical symptoms, such as muscle aches and pains, restlessness, tremors, dry mouth, sweating, and chills
Gastrointestinal issues, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and vivid dreams or nightmares
These discomforts are often accompanied by psychological symptoms that can be equally challenging. These include:
Anxiety
Depression
Irritability
Mood swings
Many users report intense cravings for kratom that can last for months after discontinuation. Some experience difficulty concentrating and a general sense of emotional numbness. The combination of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms makes quitting kratom without support extremely difficult, leading many people to relapse during their attempts to quit.
The Controversy Around Drug Scheduling
The legal status of kratom remains contentious, with ongoing debates about drug scheduling at both the federal and state levels. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has considered classifying kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, which would place it in the same category as heroin and LSD. However, public outcry and advocacy efforts have repeatedly delayed this classification.
Navigating Kratom Products
The kratom market operates largely without oversight, leading to significant concerns about product quality and safety. Kratom products sold in stores and online vary widely in potency, purity, and formulation. Some products contain only pure kratom leaf powder, while others include extracts that concentrate the active alkaloids many times their natural strength. This variability makes it difficult for users to gauge appropriate dosing and increases the risk of unintended consequences.
Contamination represents another serious concern with kratom products. Laboratory testing has revealed the presence of heavy metals, bacteria like Salmonella, and adulterants in some kratom samples. Some products have been found to contain synthetic opioids or other undisclosed ingredients, dramatically increasing the danger. Without standardized manufacturing practices or mandatory testing, consumers cannot be certain what they’re actually ingesting when they use kratom.
The marketing of kratom products often minimizes risks while emphasizing benefits, creating a false sense of security among users. Vendors may describe kratom using euphemisms to avoid regulatory scrutiny, calling it a “botanical supplement” or “herbal remedy” rather than acknowledging its drug-like effects. This misleading information contributes to casual use that can spiral into addiction before users realize they have a problem.
Exploring Treatment Options
For individuals struggling with kratom addiction, various treatment options are available, though specific kratom addiction programs remain relatively rare. Many addiction treatment centers that specialize in opioid use disorders can adapt their approaches to address kratom dependence, given the similar mechanisms of action and withdrawal profiles.
Medically supervised detoxification can help manage the acute withdrawal phase safely and more comfortably. Healthcare providers may prescribe medications to alleviate specific symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, or nausea. In some cases, drugs used for opioid addiction, such as buprenorphine, may be considered to ease the transition away from kratom.
Behavioral therapies form the cornerstone of long-term recovery from kratom addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals identify and change thought patterns that contribute to substance use. Motivational interviewing can strengthen commitment to recovery, while contingency management provides tangible rewards for maintaining abstinence. Support groups, whether specific to kratom or general addiction recovery groups, offer community and accountability that many people find invaluable.
The Bottom Line
So, what are the signs of kratom addiction? They mirror many patterns seen with other drugs and psychoactive drugs, including tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control, and continued use despite harm. Kratom acts on the brain similarly to morphine, functioning as both a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at higher doses. Clinical presentations of kratom addiction vary but often include physical symptoms like dry mouth, weight loss, and digestive issues, alongside behavioral changes and social withdrawal. The leaves of this evergreen tree contain compounds that make it appealing for self-medication, but the potential for drug abuse is real and significant.
Despite limited research on kratom addiction treatment, patients struggling with dependence can find hope in existing therapeutic approaches. Healthcare providers may consider medications like buprenorphine naloxone (commonly known as Suboxone) to ease withdrawal and support recovery, particularly for those transitioning from other opioids or kratom itself. As our understanding of kratom’s effects continues to evolve, the most important step for anyone concerned about their use is to seek professional evaluation and support. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward reclaiming control and building a healthier future without dependence on this controversial substance.
