Kratom addiction is a growing problem in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration has labeled kratom as a drug of concern, and the number of people admitting to substance abuse treatment for purely kratom addiction is rising. Fortunately, targeted kratom addiction help is available to overcome substance dependence and start on the road to lasting recovery.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a recreational drug that comes from ground-up leaves of the kratom tree, which is found in Southeast Asia. The effect of kratom use is often compared to opioid drugs such as heroin or oxycodone, and many people turn to kratom use as a method for coping with opioid withdrawal.
Kratom affects the same opioid receptors in the brain as other opioid drugs, so while it may be effective at helping alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms, it does so by activating the same receptors as opioids. This can quickly lead to physical dependence, and people who use kratom will contend with kratom withdrawal down the line.
Furthermore, many people report turning to kratom use as a method of self-medicating the symptoms of mental illness. Research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has shown that turning to substance abuse as a coping method has a high likelihood of leading to substance use disorders, regardless of which substance is being abused.
Treating Kratom Addiction
Kratom addiction treatment follows the same principles as other substance abuse treatment plans. These time-tested, evidence-based methods are effective at helping people recover from all manner of substance use disorders, and kratom is no exception.
When people are in need of kratom addiction help, they may not be able to cut down or stop using on their own. These individuals require professional kratom addiction treatment to help them break through the difficult first stages of kratom withdrawal and learn the tools needed for a lifetime in recovery.
Kratom addiction treatment typically occurs in phases at specialized addiction treatment centers. It includes programs such as:
- Medical detox
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Outpatient programs
- Addiction aftercare
Each of these treatment stages targets a specific aspect of kratom addiction and guides people on the path to a lasting recovery.
Medical Detox
Kratom addiction closely parallels the effects of opioid use disorders, and long-term kratom use may lead to physical dependence on the drug. When a person suddenly stops using kratom, they may experience kratom withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Shakes
- Chills
- Fever
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
Treatment at a medical detox facility can help treat severe withdrawal symptoms, making the first stage of kratom recovery more comfortable and safer.
At a kratom detox center, a team of medical professionals and addiction specialists work together to ensure that each client has the tools they need to overcome kratom addiction. With 24/7 medical monitoring, compassionate recovery support, and targeted medications to improve kratom withdrawal symptoms, anyone can make it through this difficult first stage.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
While kratom detox may help people overcome their physical dependence on kratom, detox alone is not enough to produce long-term recovery. It must be followed by high-quality addiction treatment at a kratom addiction treatment center.
Partial hospitalization programs make addiction treatment simple, easy, and effective. These specialized substance abuse treatment programs bring together several different evidence-based therapies and treatments that have been proven to help people live long, healthy lives in sobriety. These techniques include options such as:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Relapse prevention programs
- Introductions to self-help support groups
- Medication-assisted treatment
PHPs offer these services to their clients several days a week, for several hours at a time. At the end of the treatment day, clients return to their own homes until the next treatment day.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
IOP programs are a step down from PHP that provides the same essential treatments for drug addiction but with less time commitment involved. At an IOP, clients attend treatment several days a week for a few hours at a time. This allows clients to begin spending more time pursuing work, social obligations, and their own interests while still getting the best substance use disorder treatment available.
IOP programs excel in helping people transition back to normal living while continuing to work on themselves and build the skills needed for the recovery process.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient clients only visit the treatment center a few days week for a few hours at a time. This step-down from IOP has clients spending most of their productive time in the real world while checking in with their substance use disorder treatment providers regularly. They can continue to receive quality drug addiction treatment and targeted behavioral therapies, but the focus in outpatient programs is facilitating a personal recovery outside of treatment.
Which Level of Kratom Rehab Is Right for Me?
Ideally, people experiencing kratom abuse would start at the highest level of care, then step down to progressively less intensive treatment options. This step-down method helps people to first deal with withdrawal symptoms, then learn the skills needed to manage drug cravings and build a life in recovery, then continue that recovery in the real world.
When you seek kratom addiction help at Harmony Healing Center, our treatment professionals will make a comprehensive treatment plan that is personalized to your unique needs and ensure that you have everything you need in order to recover.
Start Treatment at Harmony Healing Center Today
At Harmony Healing Center, our mental health professionals are dedicated to helping people overcome substance use disorders and achieve recovery. Our premium treatment centers in Delray Beach, Florida, offer only the best evidence-based treatment options designed to help people stop drug abuse and build healthier and stronger lives in sobriety.
When you’re ready to begin treatment, reach out to one of our team by filling out our confidential online contact form. No matter where you are in your addiction, you can recover, and the compassionate professionals at Harmony Healing Center can help you achieve your goals.
