Understanding Kratom Addiction

Is kratom addictive? You may be wondering this after seeing kratom advertised in gas stations, smoke shops, vape shops, mini marts, and beyond. Kratom is a substance that’s growing in popularity…and controversy. Not only has it been banned in a handful of US states, but kratom addiction is also becoming more of a common struggle.

What is Kratom? 

Kratom falls into the category of gas station drugs, newer substances on the scene using questionably legal loopholes to market themselves as herbal or dietary supplements. While seemingly safe on the surface, gas station drugs like phenibut, delta-8, and tianeptine can have adverse and even addictive effects when used. 

Like other gas station drugs, kratom gets productized as an herbal supplement, showing up on the shelves of convenience stores, smoke shops, and sometimes even everyday vitamin stores. It comes from a tree native to Southeast Asia, and is usually used by:

• Mixing it into food and drink
• Brewing it into tea
• Swallowing its raw form as a powder or capsule
• Drinking it as an extract

 

Based on the dosage, kratom can be either stimulating or sedating when consumed. Reports about kratom indicate that people use it to relieve pain and promote relaxation. Other instances show that it helps you become more alert and energized, as if you’re caffeinated. However, most kratom users take it for its opioid-like effects to help manage pain or avoid prescription opioids, according to the University of Utah. 

While its uses may seem practical and well-intentioned, taking kratom is also a concerning habit. More and more health agencies are publicly stating that kratom use can create serious problems. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as an example, has issued warnings about using kratom, saying it’s not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement. The FDA also doesn’t approve it for any medical use. Other risks associated with kratom include:

• Liver toxicity
• Seizures
• Substance use disorder
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Salmonella or heavy metal contamination
• Death

The Reality of Kratom Addiction

As the FDA has warned, cases of substance use disorder and addiction have been observed in people who’ve used kratom. Studies have even shown that people may experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms when they stop regular kratom use, shares the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) even periodically threatens to make kratom a Schedule 1 controlled substance (the same category as heroin or meth), according to the Food & Drug Law Institute. 

With that said, people continue to use kratom often without realizing its addictive potential. No one is having to buy kratom clandestinely in a dark back alley or scary part of town. Because you can buy it in a brightly-lit store on a popular street corner (or even online), it’s a common assumption that it’s a safe everyday supplement.  When you continue to use it regularly, however, you become vulnerable to kratom addiction and withdrawal struggles. But why?

When you take kratom on a regular basis, you can develop a dependency on the drug. Your brain gets used to the steady supply of dopamine kratom provides when consumed. Consequently you begin to desire kratom more and more. Your brain’s chemistry gets modified to develop a tolerance for kratom. And  eventually you need to take more of it at higher frequencies to get the same dopamine effects. This can lead you to becoming addicted to kratom. At this point, if you try to stop using the drug, you may experience kratom addiction withdrawal symptoms that keep you from quitting. 

Knowing the Kratom Addiction Signs

What should you do if you know someone who uses kratom all the time (even if that person is you)? There are often telltale signs that indicate someone is addicted to kratom. It’s best to learn these kratom addiction signs so you can help your loved one change before their struggles get worse. Common kratom addiction symptoms and signs include:

• Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when you aren’t using kratom
• Cravings or urges to use kratom
• Facing difficulties when trying to quit or reduce kratom usage
• Upping your amount and frequency of kratom to get the same effects
• Persisting in kratom use despite negative consequences
• Choosing to use kratom over family, work, or personal responsibilities
• Encountering financial trouble associated with kratom usage
• Skipping out on favorite activities to use kratom
• Making risky choices to sustain your kratom intake

Kratom Addiction Help in Tennessee

Are you concerned that you may be addicted to kratom? You may struggle to know what to do about it, but the best course of action is to seek professional help as soon as possible. Otherwise, your kratom dependence can lead you to developing a cross addiction to more harmful substances. 

At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, Tennessee, our comprehensive treatment programs help people like you overcome a variety of substance abuse challenges, including kratom addiction. Utilizing a holistic treatment approach with both evidence-based and experiential therapies, our drug addiction treatment program addresses the root causes of your struggles so you can achieve lasting sobriety. To start your journey with kratom addiction treatment, call us now. 

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