A lot of people are unfamiliar with Kratom. The leaves of this tree are harvested primarily for use as a medicine in Southeast Asia. While Kratom is not an illegal drug, it is a drug that can cause addiction and harm people easily. Today it is often ordered online in leaf or powder form. What is odd is that on the packaging of the Kratom products that are sold online and inside ‘head shops,’ it is often labeled as “not for human consumption,” but people still ingest it anyway. Kratom has been reported to help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, others say it makes them feel wired and awake like a stimulant.
Most people take kratom as a pill, capsule, or extract. Some people chew kratom leaves or brew the dried or powdered leaves as a tea. The leaves can also be smoked or eaten. (NIDA)
What Does The Government Say About Kratom?
The active ingredients of Kratom are now being assessed to be listed as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, making Kratom entirely illegal. Today the government can only seize Kratom if it is not in its natural leaf form. The Food and Drug Administration has banned the import of Kratom, and it is already banned in some states and countries. Since there is substantial concern regarding the safety of Kratom and the risks it poses to public health and abuse, it is being monitored heavily. But, again, there are currently no FDA-approved uses for Kratom.
What Does Kratom Do?
People who ingest Kratom at large doses claim it can feel similar to an opioid, but true opioid addicts deny this as fact. Kratom will cause nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating and leave the person with stomach pain. Users do report that the effects begin in as few as 10 minutes and others say up to one hour. Ultimately the effects of using Kratom will likely be related to how much a person uses it. This is why it is dangerous to feel anything; a person must ingest vast amounts of it. Still, it is said to cause sedation, increased energy, and for some, it minimizes pain from injury or muscle strain.
The Most Concerning Side Effects From Using Kratom
Kratom will affect each person differently, but the side effects are relatively similar. The most concerning side effects from using Kratom include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Increased urination
- Loss of appetite
- Feelings of agitation, irritability, or uneasiness
- Drowsiness
- Fast heartbeat and fluttering heartbeat
- Loss of muscle coordination in the arms or legs
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Liver damage
Death From Kratom is Occurring
The most relevant data from the National Institute on Drug abuse states how dangerous Kratom can be. There are numerous poison control reports about Kratom harming people causing severe illness and death.
There have been multiple reports of deaths in people who had ingested Kratom, but most have involved other substances. A 2019 paper analyzing data from the National Poison Data System found that between 2011-2017 there were 11 deaths associated with kratom exposure. In 2017, the FDA identified at least 44 deaths related to Kratom, with at least one case investigated as possible use of pure Kratom. (NIDA)
Is There Treatment For Kratom Abuse and Addiction?
Yes, the treatment protocols for Kratom require that the individual first be placed into a medically supervised detox to not only clear their system but to assess whether or not Kratom has harmed their health. Kratom treatment programs address the person’s emotional and mental health and their history of drug use with over-the-counter medications, opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens. At Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek, we provide advanced treatment methods that include behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatments that are proven to help people with Kratom addiction overcome it.
Call For Priority Admission To Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek
To learn how to help your loved one’s addiction to Kratom or addiction to any other drug, first call our treatment experts, who will provide the next steps to occur within 24 hours or less. We have the answers on how to get and remain clean and sober. So let us help you get free from Kratom drug use today.
