Overcome Kratom Withdrawal With Proven Programs of Support
Some describe Kratom use and withdrawal symptoms as being caught swimming in the ocean. They explain it as a feeling of floating along in comforting, gentle waves and suddenly caught in the rip current that comes when withdrawal begins.
Like the beckoning waves at the beach, many have assumed that Kratom is safe. After all, we can buy it at a gas station next to the headache relievers at the checkout.
But the truth is that Kratom abuse is running rampant, with many underestimating its grip – like unseen rip currents to the swimmer in our metaphor. Kratom detox centers are the lifejacket that lifts many out of this peril.
Catalina Behavioral Health is a licensed and accredited kratom addiction treatment center. We know how Kratom, which acts like other opioid drugs, has destroyed many lives in the United States. Our substance abuse treatment methods can help you or your loved one break free of the effects of Kratom.
Join us as we explain Kratom (what it is and why it’s so addictive) and how to recover from Kratom addiction and any related mental health conditions.
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Kratom: A Southeast Asian Natural Remedy
When you think of opioids, you probably think of street drugs like heroin or prescription opioids like oxycodone. You might not think of something from a vape shop, corner store, or even a gas station.
Kratom is a natural product, leading many to believe that it’s harmless. It’s a tropical tree native to southeast Asia; the leaves contain compounds that are pain relief medicines in Thailand and Malaysia. It acts as a stimulant in low doses and a sedative in higher doses.
Asians have used Kratom to treat chronic pain for centuries culturally and under medical advice; to them, it is not a recreational drug but a potent form of medicine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Finds Kratom Misuse Concerning
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)has published a fact sheet warning the American public about the effects of Kratom addiction.
The DEA warns that Kratom use can cause serious issues, such as psychosis. They also deemed Kratom addictive and noted that the active compounds lead to a high risk for dependency. While Kratom is not yet a scheduled or controlled substance, the DEA continues to educate the public on Kratom misuse and its risks.
Knowing the Potentially Adverse Effects of Kratom Addiction
Abusing Kratom may have impacts on your life that many don’t imagine it could have. From damaging family relationships to spiraling into other mental health conditions, here are some possible adverse effects of Kratom use:
Co-Occurring Disorders and Kratom Misuse
People who turn to substance abuse often have co-occurring disorders. Drug abuse often co-exists with anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Misusing Kratom can worsen those conditions and create a dual diagnosis that requires a comprehensive treatment plan to recover. Treatment will mean the provider must address both the Kratom addiction and the mental health concerns.
Katrina Gets Help to Overcome Kratom at Catalina
Catalina program graduate ‘Katrina’ started using Kratom to calm her nerves after a divorce. Left financially destitute because of the legal fees, she had fallen into the trap of second-guessing every move she made. Her mind constantly raced – so much that she could hardly sleep at night without the Kratom.
Katrina’s best friend urged her to use her medical insurance to seek treatment at local outpatient treatment centers. She chose our outpatient treatment program. We diagnosed her with general anxiety disorder and started the appropriate behavioral therapies to help Katrina control her anxious thoughts. She also regained her self-confidence during group therapy sessions with her peers.
After treatment, Katrina reported feeling happier and more confident than ever. She recently started volunteering as a divorce support group facilitator in her community.
The Worsening of Existing Mental Disorders When Using Kratom
Not only can Kratom misusers have mental health issues; but they can also worsen them by using Kratom.
Kratom at high doses can have psychoactive effects. That can make someone more prone to emotional dysregulation and instability. The situation makes it harder for them to manage their mental illness and allows things to worsen.
A good example is ‘Kyle,’ who had been in and out of other residential programs for a personality disorder throughout his entire adult life. He came to Catalina Behavioral Health after developing a physical dependence on Kratom. He started having psychotic delusions and came to believe he was invincible.
Addressing Risk Taking Behaviors With Effective Support
Kyle tried incredibly risky things without a second thought. Convinced that no harm would come to him, he stopped taking his mood-stabilizing prescriptions. That changed one night when his family called emergency medical services when he was endangering himself and became combative with his mom.
After some time in the emergency department, Kyle came to Catalina for inpatient treatment for 45 days. Our medical professionals administered intensive residential treatment options: medication management using FDA-approved medications, behavioral therapy, and teaching Kyle new coping skills.
Kyle is doing much better now and has remained stable for several months. He’s doing something he always wanted to do and has started college, hoping to become a drug addiction treatment counselor so he can help others overcome addiction and mental health issues.
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Developing Additional Substance Use Disorders
Kratom users open themselves up to an increased risk of starting to abuse other substances. In particular, many start to mix alcohol and kratom to increase the sedative effects and numb their physical or emotional pain.
Self-medication is never a good solution. In this case, the mixture can be deadly because of the chances of oversedation and respiratory depression. Moreover, experimentation or alcohol abuse can lead to Alcohol Use Disorder.
‘Ciara’ is a past Catalina client who discovered that mixing Kratom and alcohol can get dangerous quickly. Ciara suffered from episodes of great pain associated with sickle cell anemia. The pain was so awful that she was losing sleep and lethargic, putting her at risk of losing a really great job.
Friends suggested Kratom – a legal, natural herb she could pick up almost anywhere. She had decreased pain after trying it. But within several, the nightly Kratom was not enough. She started drinking alcohol to make it continue to be effective. One night, that almost proved deadly; Ciara’s roommate called 911 after finding her slumped over and barely breathing.
Using Inpatient Treatment for Kratom Recovery
Our treatment team took a very proactive approach to provide pain relief while also keeping Ciara comfortable during the Kratom withdrawal symptoms. Individual therapy was very effective, and Ciara learned a lot about why she turned to substance use for her pain. Our clinicians started seeking treatment providers specializing in sickle cell anemia and connected Ciara to the best specialist in Tucson; Ciara is in ongoing treatment with the specialist.
Ciara is doing much better today. With her substance use disorder a distant memory, and active treatment of her medical condition, she feels well and enjoys her sober life.
The Harm to Family Members or Loved Ones When Using Kratom
As with most illicit drugs, those who become addicted to Kratom can become secretive, aggressive, or difficult to get along with. This can take a significant emotional toll on the loved ones of those who struggle with any substance use disorder.
Loved ones may express feeling guilty, helpless, or frustrated as they try to support the Kratom misuser without enabling them. Addiction to Kratom can hurt entire families and destroy friendships.
That’s what happened to ‘Mickey,’ who came to our addiction treatment center for drug abuse. Mickey’s family tried to talk him into alcohol and Kratom addiction treatment centers for years, watching helplessly as he plunged into an abyss.
Drawing Boundaries When a Loved One is Using
Mickey’s family had set boundaries that he ignored and crossed. They tolerated Mickey pawning family heirlooms and stealing from them, even after they’d given their last dollar to pay his rent. One by one, his loved ones could not take any more and shut down all communication. They’d no longer fund his drinking and drug abuse.
Mickey only accepted a program after a judge court-ordered rehab as part of a first-time offender jail diversion program. After alcohol and Kraton detox, we helped Mickey with a comprehensive range of treatment options. Once he had made significant strides in individual counseling, we invited Mickey’s loved ones to family counseling. The rift was deep, but both sides were open to mending fences.
Mickey entered a vocational training program to become a welder after his inpatient treatment program ended. He’d not worked for over three years due to his addiction, and it was a great opportunity. He’s currently finishing a welding internship and looks forward to a sober life.
Kratom Binds to the Opioid Receptors in the Brain
Kratom and opioids are similar in how they activate opioid receptors in the brain, which creates euphoria and pain relief. But that high can also lead to dependence on Kraton. The human body quickly starts to rely on Kratom use to function normally.
Both street and prescription opioid drugs and Kratom can lead to opioid addiction, also known as Opioid Use Disorder. Furthermore, Kratom use can lead to opioid-like withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it.
Withdrawal Symptoms When You Stop Using Kratom
The withdrawal symptoms are one reason so many turn to Kratom detox centers for help when they want to stop using it. Here are the painful withdrawal symptoms to be aware of before you try to quit:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Intense drug cravings for Kratom
These symptoms are moderate for many. But for others, they can be intense and excruciating. It’s best to get help from medical detox treatment centers; don’t try to quit cold turkey.
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Get Help With Kratom Detox and Recovery Today
If you are ready to start the Kratom detox process and get on the road to recovery, connect with Catalina Behavioral Health today. We will help you make a full recovery every step of the way, from managing withdrawal symptoms to counseling and addressing your mental health to a suitable relapse prevention plan.
Your call to us is confidential – make the call to get the help you need today.
