Can You Use Kratom if You’re Sober?

Addiction recovery can be difficult, especially as new substance abuse trends emerge. Kratom, a substance that has gained popularity in recent years and is sold over-the-counter, is often viewed as safe or non-addictive, but this isn’t always the case.

Kratom is an herb that comes from a tree found in Southeast Asia. People consume its leaves to experience mind-altering effects. In small doses, it can cause stimulant effects, while higher doses mimic opioids and other depressants.

Kratom can mimic the effects of opioids, so some people believe it is beneficial as a form of harm reduction. Instead of abusing opioids, they begin using kratom to cope with cravings and ultimately find themselves addicted to kratom instead.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against kratom use because it poses a “risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD).”

Due to kratom’s addictive properties and health risks, you should not use it when you are in sobriety. Using kratom in recovery can count as a relapse.

What is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to southeast Asia. People consume its leaves to experience mind-altering effects. Others might claim to use it for relief from chronic pain or to manage an opioid use disorder.

It is important to note that there is no solid evidence of kratom benefiting those experiencing chronic pain or opioid addiction. While kratom is legal in the United States, it is not intended for medicinal use.

Kratom’s effects and symptoms include:

• Increased energy
• Heightened alertness
• Rapid heart rate
• Relaxation
• Pain relief
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• High blood pressure
• Slowed breathing

Kratom can cause potentially harmful side effects, including liver damage, seizures, and addiction. Because of the adverse health effects, you should never use kratom as a form of relapse prevention when you are recovering from opioid addiction.

Is Using Kratom a Relapse?

When you use kratom in low doses, it can act as a central nervous system stimulant. In high doses, it produces similar effects as opioids. As a result, abusing kratom can be considered a relapse when you are in recovery from addiction.

Some people claim that using kratom prevents you from returning to opioid abuse. However, this line of thinking is similar to believing you can drink beer to avoid consuming liquor. The effects of kratom are very similar to other drugs of abuse and it is considered an addictive substance.

Kratom binds to opioid receptors in the same way as opioid substances. Abusing kratom is very similar to taking an opioid drug. Over time, you could build a tolerance to kratom, causing you to seek out stronger alternatives and return to opioid addiction.

Thankfully, drug addiction treatment centers can help you recover from addiction to kratom products. The recovery process will involve medical detox, evidence-based therapy, and relapse prevention planning.

What are the Signs of Kratom Addiction?

Even though kratom is not considered a controlled substance yet, experts have stated that it is habit-forming. Since kratom is legal in most areas of the United States, you might be rationalizing your ability to use it. Unfortunately, using kratom in recovery is relapsing.

If you are using kratom, it’s important to be aware of the signs of kratom addiction, which include:

• Increased tolerance – your normal dose of kratom is not affecting you anymore, causing you to increase the amount you use.

• Cravings – you feel intense urges or desires to misuse kratom when you are not under the influence of it.

• Kratom withdrawal symptoms – you feel uncomfortable symptoms when you are not using kratom like insomnia, depression, nausea, sweating, and irritability.

If you experience the above-mentioned signs of kratom addiction, it’s time to seek help. Drug rehab programs will offer individualized treatment plans to ensure you receive the type of support you need. Once you complete rehab, you can transition into a sober living program like New You for extra support.

Tips for Avoiding Kratom in Sobriety

If you are tempted to try kratom, it is best to avoid it altogether. Thankfully, there are tips and tricks you can use to make yourself less likely to relapse on kratom.

The best tips for avoiding kratom in sobriety include:

Consider Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

If you are thinking about using kratom to cope with cravings for opioids, you might be a good candidate for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Instead of relying on a herb that is not regulated by the FDA, you could be curbing your cravings with a proven medication.

Medication-assisted treatment uses medications like suboxone, methadone, and more to prevent you from experiencing opioid cravings. This method of treatment is proven to reduce your chances of relapsing.

Attend Therapy Regularly

If you are experiencing urges to try out kratom, it could be a sign that you need extra support. Therapy is always recommended for people in recovery from addiction. However, thinking about using substances like kratom is an indicator that you should be in regular therapy.

Therapists can help you unpack the underlying reason you are thinking about using kratom. You will also learn healthy coping mechanisms that prevent you from turning to substances to deal with your emotions or stress.

Use Distractions to Your Advantage

Every time you experience the desire to use kratom, you should distract yourself. Engaging in healthy distractions can prevent you from relapsing. For example, you could go on a run, read a good book, make yourself a healthy snack, or make plans with a supportive friend.

By distracting yourself with an activity, your urge to use kratom will subside without you even noticing. This retrains your brain to engage in a healthy activity rather than think about using substances like kratom.

Never Skip a Meeting

When you begin thinking about using substances like kratom, you might be slacking in other areas of your recovery. If you have not been attending your recovery support meetings as often as you used to, it’s time to think about making a change.

Meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide us with much-needed support and community. When you stop attending, you might experience unwanted thoughts or cravings to misuse substances because you are missing a vital aspect of your recovery maintenance.

Talk About Your Urges With a Friend

Sometimes all you need to overcome an urge to use kratom is to put it out in the open.

Talking about your urges with a friend in recovery can help you understand the risks of using kratom. It can also help you organize your thoughts and realize the real reasons you are considering using kratom. You might realize that you are dealing with stress, not receiving the level of support you need, or feeling less solid in your recovery than you’d like.

Find Help for Kratom Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one struggles with kratom addiction, it’s time to seek help. Addiction treatment programs can help you overcome kratom addiction and get back on track in your recovery.

Once you complete rehab, you can transition into a sober living program. These housing opportunities help you receive the support you need to maintain sobriety outside of treatment.

Contact New You Sober Living today to learn how we can help you in your recovery from kratom addiction.