NOTE: Using Kratom for opiate withdrawal is ill-advised by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Recently, Kratom for opiate withdrawal has been rising in popularity. Many are claiming that it works just as well as Suboxone or Tramadol in addiction recovery. When it comes to effective treatment, the goal is to ease opioid addiction withdrawal symptoms without making you tired or sleepy. While Kratom is becoming more popular, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of Kratom for opiate withdrawal. This is mostly because Kratom does not have a documented, legitimate medical purpose. Still, this hasn’t stopped opiate users from using Kratom as an addiction recovery tool— at their own risk, of course. This begs the question: Is Kratom a suitable alternative to conventional drug addiction treatment for opiate withdrawal?
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a natural herb that grows in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its painkilling effects and perceived ability to treat opiate addiction have been evident for years, according to Darshan Singh Mahinder, a professor at the Centre for Drug Research at the University of Science Malaysia. As an opioid treatment tool, Kratom does offer temporary relief from withdrawal sickness by targetting the natural opioid receptors in the brain. However, using too much Kratom for opiate withdrawal symptoms has the potential to induce an opioid-like high. This ironic outcome may result in the need for Kratom detox.
The FDA’s Opinion of Kratom for Opiate Withdrawal
The following is a statement from the FDA concerning Kratom:
Kratom has gained popularity in the U.S., with some marketers touting it as a “safe” treatment with broad healing properties. Proponents argue that it’s a safe substance largely because it’s a plant-based product. The FDA knows people are using kratom to treat conditions like pain, anxiety, and depression, which are serious medical conditions that require proper diagnosis and oversight from a licensed health care provider. We also know that this substance is being actively marketed and distributed for these purposes. Importantly, evidence shows that Kratom has similar effects to narcotics like opioids, and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction and in some cases, death.
Does Kratom Work?
Many people in recovery claim that Kratom saves lives by getting users off drugs without the need for rehab. They go so far as to claim that only using Kratom is enough to manage opiate withdrawal symptoms successfully. It’s important to note, however, that most of these claims come from online forums— not from credible medical organizations. So, this evidence is purely anecdotal, as Kratom is still mostly unregulated in the U.S. Plus, there has not been much research into the subject of Kratom for opiate withdrawal.
Lumiere’s Stance on Kratom for Opioid Withdrawal
As far as replacing traditional treatment models, Kratom cannot offer the same benefits that patients get at conventional drug rehabs. The mental and emotional support from professionals and peers is just as critical as the physical support necessary for addiction recovery. Conquering addiction and achieving long-term sobriety without rehab is highly unlikely. To establish lifelong sobriety, Kratom is not a substitute for rehab— and it never will be.
For any more information regarding Kratom for opiate withdrawal symptom management, please call Lumiere Healing Centers at 513-909-2225.
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