Kratom Addiction Treatment in New York

Marketed as a natural pain reliever and mood enhancer, Kratom’s popularity has been steadily growing in the United States over the past decade.

Over 1.5 million Americans used Kratom in 2021, according to statistics published by SAMHSA. Nonetheless, recent research and anecdotal evidence showed the possibility of developing dependency on this drug.

So, if you or your loved one experiences Kratom use disorder, this guide will help you find the right addiction treatment option in New York.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is an herbal supplement extracted from a tree called Mitragyna speciosa, native to Southeast Asia. It’s sold in many areas in the United States, both online and in-store.

Kratom contains several psychoactive compounds, with 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine being the primary two.

When a person consumes Kratom, its compounds attach to the brain’s opioid receptors, generating an opioid-like response.

These chemicals also impact multiple other neuroreceptors, such as NMDA and GABAB receptors. However, the compounds’ exact effects on these neuroreceptors are still under research.

Research studies examining this drug’s uses and safety are relatively limited. So, there are a lot of mysterious aspects about its effects in the long run.

How Is Kratom Used?

People consume Kratom in various ways, as it comes in a variety of forms. The following are the most common consumption methods for the herb:

• Taking it as a capsule
• Ingesting it as a powder
• Incorporating Kratom powder into drinks and foods
• Drinking it as a liquid extract
• Brewing the plant leaves as tea

Why Do People Use Kratom?

It’s believed that Kratom has been used for hundreds of years in Asia as a traditional medicine to boost energy and increase alertness.

It’s used today for partially similar reasons; the two main purposes people use Kratom are to improve their relaxation or increase energy.

This is because Kratom can produce either opioid or stimulant-like effects depending on the dose size.

Additionally, some people use it for other various purposes, such as relieving pain and even as an antidepressant. Nonetheless, its effectiveness in relieving depression symptoms is only supported by limited research.

Some studies also highlighted the effectiveness of Kratom in controlling the withdrawal symptoms of opioid addiction. However, this use is still under examination.

What Are the Effects of Kratom?

When consumed in low doses, Kratom produces energizing effects. When ingested in high doses, however, it can result in pain-relieving effects.

Nonetheless, the strength of Kratom effects depends on the product purity, the method frequency of consumption, and the person’s medical condition.

Given that, the following are the most common effects people who use Kratom experience:

Is Kratom Dangerous?

Limited research on people who use Kratom showed that some of them experience a number of side effects of varying severity. Here are the most common adverse effects of this drug:

Mild Adverse Effects

The following are the most common mild side effects Kratom users reported:

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Constipation

Serious Side Effects

In addition to the mild effects, some Kratom users experience the following rare severe adverse effects:

• Liver problems
• Seizures
• Confusion
• High blood pressure
• Tremors
• Slow breathing
• Weight loss

Because Kratom safety hasn’t been thoroughly tested, it’s not recommended for pregnant women to use this herbal drug. Reports linked its usage during pregnancy with negative impacts on babies, including opioid-like neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Is Kratom Addictive?

Research has shown that people who use Kratom on a regular basis may be at risk of becoming dependent on it. This happens as their bodies start to get accustomed to regular exposure to the drug.

At this point, if the person decides to stop using Kratom, they’ll experience various withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the substance. This will eventually lead them to compulsively reuse the drug.

Anecdotal evidence confirms the results of this limited research. Some people who consumed Kratom regularly reported experiencing compulsive use despite facing negative consequences.

They also report experiencing a variety of withdrawal symptoms when they reduce or stop using Kratom.

That being said, the risk of dependency on the drug increases with higher doses (more than 5 g) and more frequent use (more than three times a day).

Is It Easy to Overdose on Kratom?

It’s possible to overdose on Kratom, but luckily, this possibility is considerably low.

Kratom was reported to have caused a few instances of death, yet almost all cases involved the mixing of other drugs or contaminants.

Kratom Dependence Signs

As of writing these words, research hasn’t set specific diagnosis criteria for Kratom use disorder.

Nonetheless, professional healthcare providers use the criteria of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder” reference to diagnose patients with Kratom addiction.

Based on the reference’s criteria, to determine if a person might be suffering from Kratom addiction, look for two or more of the following signs:

• Inability to meet the simplest school, work, or home responsibilities
• Continuing to use Kratom despite facing multiple problems as a result
• Encountering withdrawals when quitting Kratom use
• Attempting to quit the drug numerous times but failing to do so
• Losing control over the frequency and amount of drug use
• Experiencing relationship problems due to the use of Kratom
• Avoiding important recreational and social activities because of using Kratom
• Experiencing tolerance, which means the person needs to continuously increase the dose to receive the same effects

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Many reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they stopped using Kratom after a period of regular consumption. The symptoms can last for a few weeks after the last time you use the drug. Given that, the following are the most common withdrawals:

• Cravings for the drug
• Muscle pain
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Diarrhea
• Joint stiffness
• Restlessness
• Runny nose

What Are the Kratom Addiction Treatment Options in New York

Kratom abuse treatment is a highly individualized process. Each recovery program should be specifically designed based on each person’s addiction severity, physical and mental health condition, and preferences.

However, a typical Kratom addiction treatment program will consist of one or more of the following procedures:

Medically Supervised Detox

Breaking free of Kratom addiction starts with detoxification. The duration of this process varies depending on the severity of the addiction. That said, withdrawal symptoms emerge within 12 to 24 hours from the last drug use and can last for a couple of weeks.

During the detoxification, the patient needs medical supervision from a reputable treatment center. This is because most people won’t be able to handle the withdrawal symptoms on their own.

They can behave dangerously because of these withdrawals, harming themselves or people around them. Medical professionals can provide the patient with the proper medication, such as buprenorphine, methadone, or dihydrocodeine-lofexidine, to alleviate the withdrawals.

They also can teach the person in recovery the proper techniques to safely handle any severe withdrawal symptoms.

With that in mind, detoxification can take place in one of the following settings based on the patient’s condition and preference:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Partial hospitalization program

Behavioral Therapy

Without addressing the underlying causes of drug addiction, a recovered person may easily relapse in the future. That’s why the patient might need behavioral therapy following the detoxification.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an excellent option, as it can help the person who recovers from Kratom addiction to achieve long-term sobriety.

It does this by teaching individuals effective techniques to discover and change their negative thought patterns to help them build a more positive mindset.

CBT also teaches the person how to deal with or avoid triggers that may drive them to start drug abuse again.

Support Groups and Individual Counseling

Joining support groups can make all the difference in helping an individual succeed in their recovery journey.

These groups offer a judgment-free space for people with substance use disorder to talk about their experiences and support each other. This continuous support helps them maintain sobriety in the long run.

Individual therapy, on the other hand, will provide the person with a confidential space with a professional therapist to address any issue hindering their full recovery.

These one-on-one sessions equip the person with psychological tactics to achieve and maintain behavioral health. They aim to address the individual’s personal and relationship issues and career challenges.

Looking for a Leading Kratom Addiction Treatment Center in New York?

Substance abuse treatment is definitely challenging. Still, your treatment can be a lot easier and safer with a well-designed recovery plan created by a team of medical professionals.

At Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery, we provide you with just that. Our addiction experts will provide you with a treatment plan tailored 100% to your needs and condition.

They’ll guide and support you throughout the process, from detox to reaching full recovery.

What are you waiting for? If you’re ready to break free from Kratom addiction and regain control over your life, contact us now for a confidential assessment. Join us, and let’s make it together.