What is Kratom Abuse

Understanding Kratom Abuse

Kratom is a plant-based drug that has a history of use throughout Asia, but has become controversial here in the United States. This substance is capable of producing effects including increased energy, heightened mood, and a lessening of many health ailments when consumed. Depending on the dose and frequency of use, this drug has the potential to produce extremely euphoric and sedative effects. Regardless of the fact that it has been safely consumed when taken in small doses over the years, its pleasing effects make it easy to begin to abuse.

Recently, kratom was made available in the United States via a powder form or in a capsule, and up until 2016, it was legal to buy in head shops. However, it has now been banned for purchase, as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has temporarily classified it as an illegal substance.

Government and health officials warn those who use kratom of the many dangers that can come from abuse, however other officials are critical of the ban, as research scientists believe that it could have been used to help treat opioid dependence. This is because while kratom does not contain opioids, it interacts with the same receptors in the brain as opioid-based substances. Those who abuse kratom, however, can be faced with a series of damaging consequences that need professional kratom addiction treatment to defeat.

If a chemical dependence on kratom or any other substance of abuse occurs, reach out to North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital. Our team of professionals is able to help you or a loved one defeat kratom abuse or addiction by encouraging you to obtain the skills needed to take back control of your life.

Statistics

Statistics of Kratom Abuse

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that kratom use is on the rise. The number of calls to the CDC alone related to kratom increased from 26 in 2010 to 263 in 2015, most of which came from medical personnel.

Numerous calls indicated that an individual had been exposed to kratom along with other substances, including ethanol, other botanicals, benzodiazepines, narcotics, and acetaminophen. Provided the increase in use, more education and research is needed to properly inform the public about the risk of kratom abuse.

Causes

What are the Causes of Kratom Abuse

The causes and risk factors for developing a kratom addiction can include genetic and environmental factors. Consider the following:

Genetic: Experts agree that there are specific heritable or genetic traits that can make an individual more likely to struggle with addiction. For example, if a close relative such as a parent or a sibling also grapples with addiction, an individual is more likely to abuse kratom or similar substances.

Environmental: If an individual hangs around others who abuse drugs or alcohol, especially within the formative years, this type of behavior can become normalized to him or her, increasing the likelihood of abuse.

Risk Factors:

Being around other people who abuse kratom or other substances
Ease of access to kratom
Family history of substance abuse and addiction
Having an impulsive temperament
Beginning to abuse substances at an early age
Suffering from an untreated mental health condition

Signs and Symptoms

Learn More About the Signs and Symptoms of Kratom Abuse

When someone is addicted to kratom, the symptoms he or she displays will vary based on how much of the substance is being consumed, how frequently, and for how long. The following symptoms can occur in someone who is addicted to or abusing this drug:

Behavioral symptoms:

Failing to uphold personal responsibilities due to the use of kratom
Preferring to use kratom over engaging in once enjoyable activities
Using kratom when its physically hazardous to do so
Trying but being unsuccessful at stopping one’s use of kratom
Using kratom in greater amounts and over a longer period of time than intended
Spending a great deal of time trying to get, use, and recover from the use of kratom
Wanting to stop using kratom, but being unable to do so
Using kratom despite knowing that it has caused problems within one’s life

Physical symptoms:

Sedation (when taken in larger doses)
Tolerance for kratom
Increased energy (when taken in smaller doses)

Experiencing withdrawal when not able to abuse kratom or when trying to stop using this drug

Cognitive symptoms:

Hallucinations
Delusions
Cravings for kratom

Psychosocial symptoms:

Oscillating moods
Emotional detachment from others
Depressed mood
Emotional outbursts

Effects

Understanding the Effects of Kratom Abuse

When left untreated, a kratom addiction will lead to the onset of many damages within one’s life. When a substance of abuse becomes the primary focus in one’s life, previously valued responsibilities can take a back seat to the abuse. However, by receiving treatment specifically to help treat kratom abuse at a professional facility such as North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital, these outcomes can be prevented or defeated effectively:

Job loss or financial hardship
Lack of interest in personal hygiene
Sleep loss or irregular sleep habits
Rapid and unpredictable mood swings
Damages to one’s physical health such as unintended weight loss
Increased propensity to engage in risk-taking behaviors
Conflict in important relationships with friends and family
Legal problems

Withdrawal and Overdose

Learn More About the Effects of Kratom Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of kratom withdrawal: Someone who suddenly limits or ends their use of kratom after abusing it habitually will struggle with withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal are listed below:

Muscle and bone aches
Uncharacteristic aggression
Runny nose
Psychotic episodes including hallucinations, confusion, and delusions in rare cases
Difficulty feeling pleasure
Hostility
Uncontrollable jerky movements
Depression
Fatigue
Kratom cravings

Effects of kratom overdose: When someone consumes more kratom that his or her body can handle, he or she can begin suffering extreme pain. While kratom overdoses are widely undocumented, if it has been laced with other substances, consuming too much can lead to an overdose. If you or someone you know has consumed kratom and is showing the following symptoms, immediate medical attention is needed:

Increased blood pressure
Agitation
Coma
Seizure
Drowsiness
Rapid heart rate
Nausea
Irritability

Co-Occurring Disorders

Kratom Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

In many instances, someone who is abusing kratom or other mind-altering substances does so in an effort to self-medicate because of an untreated mental illness. Therefore, someone with a kratom abuse problem might also be struggling with one or more of the following co-occurring disorders: