Kratom? A Healthy or Harmful Withdrawal Alternative of Opioid Addiction

Kratom has been promoted as a natural solution to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms like sweating, trembling, nausea and cravings that last anywhere from several days to several weeks.

Why is Kratom growing in popularity and why is it risky?

Because withdrawing from opioids is so unpleasant, many people look for ways to ease the withdrawal symptoms. Kratom, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant and indigenous to Thailand and Southeast Asia, is a natural herb widely used to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms.

In Asia and other parts of the world, kratom has many uses; to treat opium addiction, to help people feel more energetic, to relieve pain, and to reduce anxiety or depression. Kratom works as a treatment for these symptoms because it creates feelings of euphoria and is more easily accessible than drugs specifically prescribed for treating opioid withdrawal.

Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe

In the United States, Kratom is promoted as a natural withdrawal treatment and sold as a dietary supplement. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate kratom, it does however warn against its potentially deadly risks. Considered a controlled substance in 16 countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Sweden and Germany, kratom is also banned in several US states. Though risky, it is still promoted as an alternative to opioid use and is often sold as dietary supplement capsules or as an additive in energy drinks.

Although kratom directly activates the pain and reward center of the brain and eases withdrawal symptoms, it is also often the cause of nausea, psychosis, seizures, depression, liver damage. When trying to stop using kratom, people suffer similar symptoms of opioid withdrawal and with extended use, experience addictive cravings and possible overdose.

If you are suffering from any kind of substance use disorder, there are treatment programs proven to help you recover.  Some of these programs include:

Integrated Addiction Model

Dual diagnosis treatment

Family program

Group Therapies

Recovery

Seeking treatment for a loved one? At Healing Springs Ranch, our family program recognizes that addiction doesn’t only affect the person struggling with substance use. it also affects those around him or her.  Our Texas  center has caring and compassionate staff members who will work with you in order to encourage and heal. We also want to encourage and heal the family, from the inside out. Call Healing Springs Ranch and start your healing journey today.