The Dangers of Kratom Withdrawal

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a drug that is derived from the leaves of a tree that is native to the Philippines, New Guinea, and several countries in Southeast Asia. The tree, mitragyna speciosa, is also commonly referred to as kratom. 

Workers in areas where the kratom tree naturally grows have traditionally chewed kratom leaves or brewed them into a tea as a means of remaining alert and staving off exhaustion. Residents of these areas have also used kratom leaves for medical purposes and incorporated them into religious ceremonies.

In addition to its stimulant-like properties, kratom can also elicit sedation and other effects that are similar to what opioids produce. This has prompted some people to use kratom as a recreational substitute for opioids, while others have taken it in an attempt to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Some researchers have suggested that kratom’s differing effects can depend on how much of the drug a person ingests, though this has not been conclusively proved.

Kratom is a relatively recent arrival to the United States, having not drawn the attention of public health officials until the 2010s. It has not been banned on the federal level, nor has it been approved for any purpose by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but some states have either prohibited it or restricted who can use it.

This has contributed to confusion about the risks of kratom use, how addictive it is, and if you can have seizures from kratom withdrawal.

Risk of Seizures from Kratom Withdrawal

If you develop an addiction to kratom, and you then try to stop using it, do you really face the possibility of having seizures from kratom withdrawal?

Yes, seizures are one of many documented symptoms that people have experienced while withdrawing from this drug.

In addition to seizures, you may also develop a variety of other physical symptoms as your body adapts to the sudden absence of this substance. These can include:

• Elevated body temperature
• Excessive sweating
• Blurred vision
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Muscle pain
• Tics and twitches

Kratom withdrawal can also involve psychological symptoms, such as:

• Intense drug cravings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dramatic mood swings
• Agitation and irritability

Many of these symptoms are similar to what a person may go through when withdrawing from heroin, prescription painkillers, or other opioids. The good news is that kratom withdrawal usually isn’t as difficult to get through as opioid withdrawal. Unfortunately, not everyone has a mild experience. Some people can have serious symptoms, such as seizures from kratom withdrawal.

How to Safely Withdraw from Kratom

The type of kratom withdrawal symptoms a person has, how severe these symptoms become, and how long they last can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• The person’s age, weight, and metabolism
• How long they have been abusing kratom
• How much kratom they typically use
• If they have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns

If someone has an elevated risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, or if they have previously tried to stop using kratom but couldn’t get through withdrawal, a detoxification program may be the right choice.

Detox offers a host of benefits, including:

• A secure environment where patients won’t have access to kratom or other addictive substances
• Round-the-clock care and supervision from a team of experienced professionals
• Medical and therapeutic support to help patients manage their discomfort
• Sense of accomplishment for successfully completing withdrawal
• Referrals to follow-on treatment so patients can build essential recovery skills

What Happens After Kratom Withdrawal?

Getting through withdrawal can be a vital step on a person’s path to freedom from compulsive kratom abuse. But failing to seek continued professional help after detox can hamper their ability to achieve long-term recovery.

The right type of treatment after detox can vary considerably from one person to the next. This underscores the value of finding a provider who will thoroughly review the individual’s treatment history, assess their needs, and develop a customized plan just for them.

Depending on a patient’s needs, goals, and preferences, they may be best served in one or more of the following programs:

• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient care

Some people spend time at each of these levels, stepping down from residential treatment to a PHP, an IOP, then outpatient care. This allows them to systematically gain greater independence while continuing to benefit from a structured connection to treatment.

Others may only need to receive care at just one or two levels. As we alluded to earlier, there is no recovery blueprint that is ideal for everyone. The goal should always be to find the level of care and types of therapy that work best for each individual patient.

Find Kratom Addiction Treatment in Atlanta

Don’t let kratom withdrawal stop you from ending your abuse of this dangerous substance. When you’re ready to begin walking the path of recovery, Peachtree Detox is here for you.

Our detoxification center provides compassionate, evidence-based services to help adults complete withdrawal safely and with as little discomfort as possible. We also work closely with each of our patients to determine what type of treatment will be most beneficial to them once they have completed their time with us.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.