Kratom is a tree that is native to the Pacific Islands of Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, and Myanmar, among other places. Although it is not technically an opiate, it is by definition an opioid. According to the National Institute of Health, the definition of opioid is “a substance used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Opioids are like opiates, such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium. Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Opioids used to be called narcotics. An opioid is a type of alkaloid.” Because kratom is not made from opium, but acts as an opiate in the body, on the same neuro-receptors, it is an opioid.
The Importance of Controlled Kratom Withdrawal
Kratom withdrawal symptoms exist because of the fact that it is acting as an opioid in the brain. The symptoms are very similar to the withdrawal symptoms of traditional opiates like heroin or morphine. Kratom withdrawal symptoms can be so bad that many users feel it necessary to go to a detox facility such as All In Solution
A person suffering from kratom withdrawal symptoms has the best chance at sustained recovery if they get help throughout the acute and post-acute withdrawal phases of their recovery. This can be an incredibly important time for a person, as any attempt at recovery has to begin with detox. It is for these reasons that calling a facility such as All In Solutions increases the chances of a person maintaining a life in recovery, and is always recommended for kratom withdrawal symptoms or withdrawal symptoms of any nature.
What is Kratom?
The answer to the question, ‘what is kratom?’ has many answers. It is a tree from the Asian Pacific in which the leaves have a psychoactive compound called mitragynine which acts as an opioid receptor agonist. This means that the active ingredients in kratom act in the brain much of the same way that opiates such as morphine or heroin act. The leaves of the tree are usually dried then ground into a powder which is either consumed as a tea or in capsules.
Kratom has made its way across the Pacific into smoke shops all around the United States. The plant is still legal, although it has made it onto the DEA’s drugs of concern list. People tout its ability to provide the user with pain relief and energy, however many users are quick to distance kratom from being talked about as an opioid. This is a dishonest approach to understanding kratom. Two answers to the question ‘what is kratom’ is that it is absolutely addictive, and it is absolutely an opioid.
Is Kratom Addictive?
Another question being pondered by users and professionals alike isn’t ‘is kratom addictive’, but rather ‘just how addictive is it?’ Any substance that acts as an agonist on opioid receptors in the brain is going to carry the potential for physical addiction. Not only is kratom addictive physically, it can be psychologically addictive as well. This can be proven by the fact that many people have gone through the arduous withdrawal process, become free of the physical dependence on kratom, only to return to using the drug weeks, months, or even years down the road.
No matter the route of administration, or reason it is being used, kratom is addictive, and will produce kratom withdrawal symptoms if taken too many days in a row. Many have shrugged off the addictive nature of kratom because it is sold legally over the counter, but the reality is that it is an opioid and will produce withdrawal symptoms. The answer to the question, ‘is kratom addictive’ is yes, it absolutely is.
What are the Effects of Kratom?
Experts are still determining ‘what are the effects of kratom’. Because it acts upon the same parts of the brain as traditional opiates, analgesic effects are present with the consumption of kratom. Many users also report a boost in energy, similar to coffee, when ingesting kratom.
When it comes to the long-term effects, there have not been many studies to determine what are the effects of kratom on the body when consumed over long periods of time. One study from the NCBI states, “Chronic use of kratom recreationally has been associated with rare instances of acute liver injury.”
There are also some other unintended side effects that come along with kratom use. Most of these side effects are similar to those present with traditional opiates. These effects include drowsiness, itchiness, small pupils, and feelings of euphoria. As the effects of kratom become more understood with time, it will become apparent just how similar kratom is to traditional opiates and will settle the debate once and for all.
What are the Signs of Kratom Withdrawal?
The signs of kratom withdrawal are very similar to the signs of traditional opiate withdrawal. Kratom withdrawal symptoms include muscle pain, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, and other stomach issues. Signs of kratom withdrawal are present within 24 hours after the last consumption of the plant. Due to the uncomfortable nature of kratom withdrawal symptoms, a medical detox is recommended in order to increase a person’s chances of avoiding relapse during this phase.
As a person deals with the illness associated with kratom withdrawal symptoms, mental distress may lead them to relapse before they complete their detox. It is for this reason that a controlled environment can be extremely beneficial in increasing the odds a person makes it through the detox phase without a relapse. All In Solutions, and programs like it, provide the medical detox facility needed for kratom withdrawal symptoms. Their admissions department will be able to give more details on what they recommend when it comes to signs of kratom withdrawal.
Kratom Concentrates and Withdrawal
Kratom concentrates are created to increase the potency of kratom by extracting the active alkaloids. When the alkaloids are extracted, the formulation becomes much stronger, and can lead to harsher withdrawal symptoms, and a worse potential for addiction. Many users report that withdrawal symptoms presented from using kratom concentrates are levels of magnitude worse than those associated with dried leaves.
Because kratom is still not fully understood, it is not known exactly which alkaloids are doing what within the plant. Some may be left out when others are extracted, creating a new formulation altogether.
The bottom line is that kratom concentrates and withdrawal go hand in hand and may be worse that the dried leaves themselves. Anyone suffering from kratom withdrawal symptoms should seek help immediately for the best chance at recovery.
Kratom Withdrawal Timeline
The kratom withdrawal timeline is very similar to other traditional opiates. The kratom withdrawal timeline usually lasts around 4 to 7 days. Symptoms usually begin within 24 hours of the last dose, and will include sweating, anxiety, and excessive yawning. This is followed by muscle, joint, and stomach discomfort that usually presents itself within the second day.
Insomnia is also common throughout the entire process, and can be the leading cause of mental anguish throughout the process. Kratom withdrawal symptoms tend to start easing up around the 5th to 7th day, and the acute kratom withdrawal timeline is usually over within a week.
What are Post-Acute Kratom Withdrawals Like?
The post-acute kratom withdrawal timeline begins when the acute phase ends and can last 6 months up to even a year. Symptoms of post-acute kratom withdrawal include anxiety, depression, dysphoria, and of course cravings for kratom. The post-acute withdrawal phase is another important phase to be receiving some sort of substance abuse treatment.
Attending an outpatient program, going to 12 step meetings, or living in a sober living, greatly increase the odds of someone successfully living a life in recovery. All In Solutions offers multiple different options for treatment, all of which can be discussed with their admissions department if you call them today.
Using Kratom for Opioid Withdrawal
Many people began using kratom for opioid withdrawal due to its effectiveness as an opioid agonist without the added risk of overdose that is prevalent with traditional opioids. Some people have even begun using kratom as a sort of medically assisted treatment, a replacement therapy where they begin consuming kratom everyday rather than their opioid of choice.
Because of the perceived lower harm level of kratom, many have claimed that it has been a lifesaving plant. Unfortunately, many of the long-term effects of kratom are not fully understood, and some time down the line it may become apparent that kratom is much more harmful than it was originally thought to be.
The Risky Use of Kratom for Self-Medicating Withdrawal
It is much more understood to use a traditional replacement therapy drug, such as methadone or suboxone. In a detox setting, these drugs are administered for a short period of time and then titrated down to ease the typical withdrawal process. Using kratom in this manner could be unsafe, as the strength and dose of the kratom cannot be properly measured.
There is no quality control with kratom, as there is with prescription drugs. It would be a much wiser decision to contact All In Solutions for help, and to completely avoid using kratom for opioid withdrawal altogether.
Kratom Detox Guidelines
The kratom detox guidelines are very similar to the guidelines presented for the detox of other traditional opiates. Although opioids such as kratom have withdrawal symptoms that can be increasingly miserable to go through, unlike alcohol or benzodiazepines, they are usually not fatal.
The best option for kratom detox guidelines is to go to a professional detox setting for a medically supervised detox. The reason this is the superior choice is that if something does go awry with the kratom withdrawal, medical professionals will be close by to help. Another reason is that being in a facility makes relapse more difficult and can help a person in those first few days when the cravings are worst.
The most commonly applied strategy is to replace kratom with a longer acting opioid such as methadone or suboxone, then titrating down off of that opioid until the person is totally clear of drugs. The strategy is simply to make the kratom withdrawal symptoms less severe and help the person get through it relatively pain free. All In Solutions is a highly rated detox facility that provides all the amenities and medical staff needed for a medically supervised detox. Call their admissions department for more information.
Benefits of Medical Detox for Kratom
The main benefits for medical detox of kratom is that unlike traditional opiates, the withdrawal symptoms of kratom are not fully understood. Seizures may become an issue, and being in a medically supervised environment may be the difference between life and death. The main benefit for medical detox of kratom is that without medical supervision, the withdrawal symptoms of kratom can be debilitating.
The comfort medications offered in a professional setting can offer the relief needed to get through the kratom withdrawal symptoms. When it is an option, the benefits for a medical detox of kratom far outweigh the risks of not going to a professional setting for detox. Again, calling All In Solutions to find out more information would point anyone seeking guidance in the correct direction.
What to Look for in Kratom Treatment
What to look for in kratom treatment is basically the same things to look for the treatment of substance abuse disorder pertaining to any drugs. Kratom is an opioid, and as long as the facility is competent in providing a medically supervised detox for opioids, they will be able to handle a patient who is going through kratom withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to look for accreditations and customer reviews that pertain to the facility as well. All In Solutions has some of the highest ratings of any facility, and absolutely has the capacity to help anyone struggling with kratom withdrawal symptoms.
Medically Supervised Detox as Foundation for Sobriety
A model that works well in a substance use disorder recovery setting involves first attending a medically supervised detox. After the detox, a person transitions into an inpatient setting that is focused on recovery rather than simply detoxing. After the inpatient treatment is completed, ideally a person will drop down to a lower level of care such as outpatient treatment. The longer someone is in continued treatment, the better their chances of sustained recovery.
All In Solutions checks all the boxes when reviewing treatment facilities. They have great reviews, are an accredited facility, and have many different options for levels of care. If a person is struggling with kratom withdrawal symptoms, or a substance use disorder of any kind, it is highly recommended to give their admissions department a call and discuss the possible options.
Long Term Recovery from Kratom is Possible
One thing that has been proven over and over again, is that long term recovery from kratom is possible. Long term recovery from kratom is possible, and so is long term recovery from any substance. After the acute detox period, the treatment for recovery from most substance abuse disorders becomes the same from one drug to another.
It becomes more about the solution than about the problem, making it much more about the individual involved rather than the substances the individual was using. The substances used are but a symptom of addiction, with the root of the malady being a mental or spiritual disorder.
According to the DSM-5, which is the diagnostic manual for mental disorders, symptoms of a substance use disorder fall into 4 categories; impaired control, social problems, risky use, and physical dependence. Long term recovery from kratom is very possible, and as the symptoms of a substance use disorder begin to lighten up, recovery becomes more and more possible.
Calling All In Solutions and going to treatment offers a person the best chance for a life in recovery. Kratom withdrawal symptoms are an uncomfortable thing to go through, but recovery is always possible on the other side. If you or a loved one is in need of treatment, call the admissions department of All In Solutions today.
