With the ongoing opiate crisis in the United States, many have turned to kratom to mitigate the effects of opiate withdrawal. People find that kratom helps them wean off harder opiates, such as heroin, in a way that is thought to be safer due to kratom’s legality, ease of access, and status as an herb or natural remedy. Whereas opiates typically require a prescription or illegal purchase to acquire, kratom can be bought over the counter and is often sold at smoke shops as a supplement.
Overall, kratom’s ease of access, combined with its growing popularity for self-treatment of heroin withdrawal, has led to increased kratom use in the United States. The situation with kratom is tricky; on the one hand, there have been many anecdotal reports of individuals weaning off mild opiate dependency with kratom. On the other hand, kratom presents a risk for dependence of its own. New opiate users’ potential to start with kratom remains an ongoing risk because of its legality.
Do not be fooled by the idea of kratom as a natural and safe drug. There is still the potential for abuse and dependency on the substance. Common withdrawal symptoms from kratom may include:
Body aches
Anxiety
Mood swings
Hostility
Restlessness
Tremors
Cravings for the substance
The detox process for kratom resembles detoxification from other opiates and should not be attempted alone for your safety and the greatest potential for success. Consult your doctor or a detox center such as Safe Harbor for the proper medical and psychological support during this process.
It is essential to look for a program that will approach you as a whole person when dealing with substance abuse. At Safe Harbor, we evaluate for co-occurring disorders, provide medical support and counseling, create ongoing strategies to live sober aftercare, and most importantly, we do so compassionately to help you heal your entire self.
Kratom is the leaves of a plant native to Southeast Asia, used as a mild stimulant and pain reliever. The use and sale of kratom in the United States have grown significantly, leading to concern over this drug’s safety. Many claim that kratom helps with heroin withdrawal, but there is a significant risk of dependency in kratom use. Kratom works on a subset of opiate receptors and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, leading to complicated overdose symptoms that may range from opiate-like overdose symptoms to seizures. Just because Kratom leaves have been used in its native cultures does not mean that the extracts and powders being sold today are free of danger or risk. We understand the desperation you may feel to be free from addiction to opiates. Replacing opiates with another substance like kratom can be risky and fail to treat the root of your suffering. Safe Harbor offers the compassionate support needed to detox once and for all. Call (833) 580-1473 today for more information.