Understanding Kratom
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a substance that is extracted from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree found in Southeast Asia.
It typically appears in powder, capsule, or liquid form. Kratom has a high risk of addiction and is not approved by the FDA.
What Drug Classification Is Kratom?
Kratom does not have a specific drug classification.
This is due to Kratom not being approved for any medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as reported by the DEA.
Is Kratom an Opioid, Yes or No?
No, Kratom is not considered a traditional opioid originating from the opium poppy.
However, like opioids such as morphine, the active compounds in Kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) bind to the brain’s opioid receptors to act as a stimulant or an opioid-like sedative, depending on the dosage.
What Is Kratom Like?
Kratom produces stimulant-like effects at low doses and opioid-like sedative effects at high doses.
In low doses, Kratom increases physical energy, alertness, talkativeness, and social behavior, similar to the effects felt when drinking a lot of coffee or ingesting a mild stimulant. Higher doses reduce physical pain and discomfort and are known to cause deep relaxation, calmness, and sleepiness, as well as a comforting, euphoric mood.
What Are the Street Names for Kratom?
Common street names for Kratom include thang, kakuam, thom, ketum, and biak.
Kratom is also often referred to as “gas station heroin,” herbal speedball, or an herbal high.
Types & Uses of Kratom
What Is 7-OH Kratom?
7-OH Kratom refers to a naturally occurring single alkaloid present in Kratom.
It’s unlike Kratom itself, which is made from powdered or extracted leaves from the tree. Kratom has multiple alkaloids, while 7-OH Kratom contains this single alkaloid in very minute amounts.
What Is Red Kratom Used For?
Red Kratom is an herbal strain of the substance also taken from the Mitragyna speciosa tree.
Users attempting to self-treat typically take red Kratom in higher doses for chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and even opioid withdrawal symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse considers Red Kratom to have increased risks of addiction.
What Is Kratom Drink?
Kratom drink is a beverage infused with Kratom.
These types of beverages are often marketed as herbal tonic drinks or “shots.” They can also come in the form of powdered drink mixes or brewed teas. Kratom drinks are widely sold at vape shops and kava bars as natural energy boosters used to ease anxiety or as an alternative to alcohol. They’re even sold at gas stations, which is why one of the slang terms for Kratom includes “gas station heroin.”
Signs of Kratom Use
How Does Kratom Affect Mood and Behavior?
The stimulant effects in small doses of Kratom can increase heightened alertness and more energy, while larger doses are said to have a calming or euphoric effect.
Because regularly using Kratom can lead to physical dependence, it’s known to cause withdrawal symptoms, such as emotional irritability, anxiety, muscle aches, or insomnia.
What are the Physical Signs of Kratom Use?
Physical signs of Kratom use disorder include increased heart rate and talkativeness in small doses, and an opioid-like sedation in higher doses.
Higher doses can also cause constipation, nausea, constricted or dilated pupils, sweating, and tremors. Heavy, long-term use may also lead to severe weight loss, skin hyperpigmentation, and potential liver toxicity.
Does Kratom Come in Powder Form?
Yes, kratom comes in powder form.
Raw or dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree are crushed into a fine green powder for Kratom to appear as a loose powder. Powdered Kratom can be mixed into liquids, food, or brewed as a tea.
Does Kratom Come In Capsule Form?
Yes, Kratom comes in capsule form.
Crushed or powdered Kratom plant leaves are used to fill gelatin or vegetable capsules, but can also appear in compressed tablets.
Symptoms of Kratom Use?
Does Kratom Use Cause Increased Energy or Stimulation?
Yes, NIDA reports that Kratom has stimulant-like effects when taken in smaller doses.
This is caused by the compounds inside the Mitragyna speciosa plant from which Kratom derives. The compounds can affect adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin receptors, making those who take Kratom feel more alert.
Does Kratom Use Affect the Digestive System?
Yes, Kratom use affects the digestive system by the way it slows down movement in the intestines and how it interacts with opioid receptors.
Common digestive side effects of Kratom include constipation, nausea, stomach discomfort, or decreased appetite.
Can Kratom Cause Feelings of Euphoria or Increased Anxiety?
Average or larger doses of Kratom can produce euphoria or reduced anxiety, depending on the individual.
It’s important to remember that even lower doses of Kratom can cause increased heart rate, nervousness, and heightened anxiety, as well as additional symptoms during withdrawal.
Does Kratom Use Cause Irritability or Difficulty Concentrating?
Yes, Kratom use has been known to cause irritability and difficulty concentrating.
In addition to causing these side effects, Kratom affects dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which help control mood in the brain. Increased agitation, hostility, or short-temperedness can often occur after the initial “high” fades, along with anxiety and depression.
Does Stopping Kratom Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?
Yes, stopping Kratom use causes withdrawal symptoms.
When stopping the use of Kratom, physical symptoms include muscle aches, bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals also experience sweating, chills, hot flashes, insomnia, and tremors. Mental symptoms can include anxiety, panic, irritability, restlessness, depression, and intense cravings.
Causes of Kratom Addiction
Is Kratom Addictive?
Yes, Kratom is addictive.
Regular Kratom use can lead to physical dependence, tolerance that causes an increase in the amount of Kratom being taken, and withdrawal symptoms. Kratom binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which leads to physical dependence.
How Can Kratom Dependence Develop?
Kratom dependence develops due to how the body adapts to the alkaloids in Kratom.
When individuals taking Kratom stop taking it, they experience withdrawal symptoms due to the physical dependence their bodies have formed on the substance.
How Do Kratom’s Alkaloids (Mitragynine and 7-Oh Mitragynine) Work at Opioid and Other Receptors?
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (the alkaloids in Kratom) behave as partial agonists for mu-opioid receptors in the body to produce pain relief and opioid-like effects.
The NY State Department of Health reports that Mitragynine (the most present within the Kratom leaf) is converted by the liver into 7-OH, which makes its effects more intense and lasting.
Dangers and Risks of Kratom Addiction
Is Kratom Safe to Use?
No, Kratom is not considered safe to use, since it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use.
Research on Kratom use is limited, although the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has stated that regular Kratom use can lead to addiction, physical dependence, and severe withdrawal symptoms.
What Can Happen if a Person Uses Kratom?
Using Kratom is associated with risks ranging from mild side effects to severe dependence.
Adverse side effects can include liver damage, seizures, and fatality in some cases. Chronic use or continued high doses are associated with hepatotoxicity and liver injury, in addition to tremors, confusion, seizures, and, in some cases, psychosis.
What Are the Health Risks of Kratom?
The health risks of Kratom include nausea, dizziness, and liver damage.
Liver damage associated with Kratom use typically presents as a reduction in bile flow and elevated liver enzymes.
Can Kratom Cause Toxicity?
Yes, Kratom can cause toxicity by damaging the liver and heart.
It is also associated with liver-related jaundice, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), or cardiac arrest. Other effects include confusion, tremors, lethargy, seizures, renal failure, respiratory depression, and rhabdomyolysis. Kratom can cause toxicity when it affects central nervous system pathways during use.
Can Kratom be Laced With Fentanyl?
Yes, Kratom can be laced with fentanyl, although Kratom laced with fentanyl is rare.
Fentanyl-laced Kratom occurs more often when both substances are being taken simultaneously, or due to both intentional and non-intentional contaminants being added by sellers in an unregulated market. If you believe you’ve ingested fentanyl-laced Kratom, contact local poison control centers immediately for treatment.
Can Kratom Lead to Substance Use Disorder?
Yes, regular Kratom use can lead to a heightened tolerance, physical dependence, and substance use disorder (SUD).
Its main compounds bind to brain receptors for individuals in the same way opioids do for those experiencing opioid use disorder.
Is Kratom Illegal in the US?
No, Kratom is not illegal under federal law in the United States.
However, Kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so the extent of its legality depends on both state and local laws.
Treatment for Kratom Addiction
What Are the Most Effective Treatments for Kratom Addiction?
Effective Kratom addiction treatments include a medical detox, followed by further treatment and therapy.
Align Recovery Centers offers a medically-assisted detox program for the Kratom drug, which allows clients to safely withdraw from Kratom while under medical supervision. We also provide inpatient treatment that includes evidence-based therapies to address addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders that often accompany Kratom misuse.
Can You Find Medical Detox For Kratom Dependence?
Yes, it’s possible to find medical detox for Kratom dependence.
At Align Recovery, clients have access to medically supervised detox, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and continuing clinical support throughout the recovery process. Our medical detox program includes 24/7 nursing and medical oversight by a team of caring professionals.
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Recommended for Kratom Dependence?
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is considered an important part of the detox process for Kratom dependence.
MAT is an evidence-based, comprehensive approach to detoxification that combines the use of approved medications with behavioral therapies, such as CBT and DBT. Align’s medical detox program includes medications such as buprenorphine-naloxone to treat severe withdrawal and dependence. Once detox is complete, naltrexone can safely be used to prevent relapses.
How Can Behavioral Therapies Help With Kratom Addiction?
Behavioral therapies help with Kratom addiction by addressing the roots of dependence.
Align Recovery’s personalized recovery programs focus on therapies that address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to treat substance use, co-occurring disorders, or mental health conditions. Our clients learn how to manage cravings, avoid personal triggers, and change harmful habits along their road to healing.
Long-Term Recovery From Kratom Dependence
What Are the Best Strategies for Maintaining Long-Term Recovery From Kratom Dependence?
Long-term recovery from Kratom dependence is possible through continued aftercare, including therapy and peer support.
The philosophy at Align Recovery centers around the idea that support doesn’t end when treatment does. Our aftercare for life program continues to provide our clients with a solid recovery community and ongoing relationships that offer support, personal accountability, and a sense of connection to those they consider a second family.
How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Typically Last During Recovery?
Kratom withdrawal symptoms usually last between 5 and 7 days.
Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms peak within 24 to 72 hours after the last dose. Those going through withdrawal can experience fatigue, low mood, and cravings for 2 weeks or longer, depending on the extent of their usage.
What Support Resources Are Available for Sustained Recovery From Kratom Use?
Support resources for Kratom use are available at the SAMHSA National Helpline.
If you’re dealing with a Kratom addiction, reach out to Align Recovery Centers to find out more about our medical detox and residential treatment programs.
FAQs
How Is the FDA Protecting the Public From the Risks of Kratom?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers against Kratom use, while including the inherent risks.
Risks of Kratom include addiction, seizures, and liver damage. Kratom is not approved for medical use, is restricted due to illegal shipments, and is considered a controlled substance when applied to variations of Kratom such as 7-OH.
What Drug Does Kratom Show Up As?
Standard drug testing does not screen for Kratom ingredients such as mitragynine.
Specialized drug testing may use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to find kratom alkaloids, although this may cause a false positive for methadone, depending on the test used.
What Is Kava and Kratom?
Kava and Kratom are substances that both act as a stimulant at low doses and an opioid-like sedative at higher doses.
While both Kava and Kratom can both cause potential liver issues, Kratom has a higher risk of dependence, withdrawal, and heart issues.