Kratom Detox in Arkansas

Contact Time Wellness Detox today to learn more about our detox centers in Arkansas.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a substance that consists of leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native several Southeast Asian nations, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. It can produce both stimulant-like and opioid-like effects. 

Kratom has traditionally been used by chewing or smoking the leaves, or brewing them into a tea. Today, it is frequently sold as capsules, tablets, extracts, and beverages.

In the regions where this tree grows naturally, people have been using its leaves for medical, ritual, and social purposes since at least the 1800s. Manual laborers have chewed kratom leaves to enhance productivity by boosting their energy and easing pain. And medical practitioners have used kratom to treat diarrhea, fever, and symptoms of diabetes.

The drug’s migration to the United States appears to be a much more recent phenomenon. According to an article on the Johns Hopkins website, the first documented reports of kratom use in the U.S. were published in 2004. 

By the mid-2010s, products containing kratom were being marketed in the U.S. as herbal supplements that could promote energy, alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, and enhance mood. Regardless of the advertised purposes of these substances, though, many people also use them to achieve a recreational high.

Though some people continue to hold the misguided belief that kratom use is a risk-free behavior experts from around the world have repeatedly stated otherwise:

• An article on the Mayo Clinic website describes kratom as “unsafe and ineffective,” due to its risk of severe adverse effects.
• A June 2014 study from Malaysia, which appeared the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, concluded that “regular Kratom use is associated with drug dependency, development of withdrawal symptoms, and craving. These symptoms become more severe with prolonged use and suggest a stronger control of the drug.”
• A May 2020 study in the journal Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment reported that kratom use has been linked to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychiatric problems.  This study also noted that the use of kratom during pregnancy can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is a form of drug withdrawal experienced by infants immediately after being born.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned the public against using kratom, noting that the drug has not been approved for use as a medical product, dietary supplement, or food additive. 

What Is Kratom Withdrawal?

Kratom’s effects are primarily due to the presence of two alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). 

When a person uses kratom, these alkaloids interact with receptors in their central nervous system that are also triggered by opioid use. When kratom binds with these receptors, the result can be an artificial increase in naturally occurring brain chemicals that influence mood, motivation, reward, energy, pain sensitivity, and other functions.

Over time, a person’s body can begin to depend on kratom to trigger the production and release of these chemicals. When a person who has become addicted to kratom suddenly stops using it, their body may be temporarily unable to maintain appropriate levels on its own.

This internal imbalance can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, which are referred to collectively as kratom withdrawal.

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Potential physical symptoms of kratom withdrawal include:

• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Fever and hot flashes
• Muscle spasms and tremors
• Muscle pain
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Appetite loss
• Insomnia

The psychological effects of kratom withdrawal can include:

• Powerful cravings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger and hostility
• Restlessness
• Mood swings
• Dysphoria (state of profound dissatisfaction)

How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?

The type of symptoms you experience, how severe they become, and how long the withdrawal process lasts can all be influenced by factors such as:

• How long you’ve been using kratom
• How often you use the drug, and how much you typically use
• If you have also been using (or become addicted to) other substances
• If you’ve been through kratom detox or other types of withdrawal before
• If you have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns

Depending on these and other potential influences, kratom withdrawal usually lasts from three to seven days. Most people complete our Arkansas kratom detox within a week, though some may require a longer stay to address particularly persistent symptoms.

Kratom Withdrawal Timeline

Kratom withdrawal typically occurs on the following timeline:

• When a person stops using kratom, they will usually begin to develop initial withdrawal symptoms within about 12 hours.
• Over the next 24-72 hours (two to three days), symptoms are likely to increase in both number and intensity.
• Once kratom withdrawal symptoms have peaked, they should begin to slowly subside. This can take another three or four days.
• Most physical withdrawal symptoms should have dissipated within about a week of a person’s last kratom use. However, some psychological symptoms may linger for another week or more.

Is Kratom Withdrawal Dangerous?

Kratom withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t usually cause lasting, irreversible damage. But this doesn’t mean that it is safe or easy to get through.

If you try to stop using kratom on your own, without professional help, the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms can quickly push you back into active kratom use. At home, you will likely have easy access to the drug, so once the pain reaches a certain level, you may be incapable of resisting the urge to ease your suffering by using kratom again. 

Failing to get through kratom withdrawal can be a source of both shame and frustration. These emotions may cause you to increase your kratom use. They can also delay future efforts to finally stop using this drug.

Also, certain severe withdrawal symptoms can undermine your health, such as the risk of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. When you’re in a medically supervised detox center, your treatment team can prevent this from occurring and address any other health concerns that arise during withdrawal.

Do I Need Kratom Detox?

If withdrawal symptoms have prevented you from ending your kratom use, kratom detox may be the right choice for you.

The best way to determine if you need kratom detox is to schedule an assessment with a reputable treatment provider such as Time Detox Wellness. An assessment isn’t a commitment to enroll in a treatment program – it’s simply an opportunity to understand the scope of the challenge you’re dealing with, so that you can make the most informed decisions about your care.

The professional who conducts your assessment can explain your treatment options to you and answer any questions you have about detox or any other aspects of care for kratom addiction. 

How is Kratom Withdrawal Treated?

Kratom withdrawal is often treated with a combination of medication and therapy. 

• Certain prescription medications can alleviate some withdrawal symptoms and minimize their impact on your health. 
• Therapy can help you cope symptoms that aren’t affected by medication, so that you don’t lose the motivation to finally get this dangerous drug out of your body for good.

There is no single perfect approach to kratom detox that works for everyone. This is why it’s so important to find a kratom detox center that will evaluate the full scope of your needs, closely monitor your progress throughout the entire process, and provide the medications and therapies that are best for you.

How Does Kratom Detox in Arkansas Work?

As noted in the previous section, personalization is a key feature of effective kratom detox. So the treatment experience at our center can vary considerably from one patient to the next. 

Generally speaking, though, everyone who heals with us can expect to benefit from certain features and practices, such as:

• Before you enter treatment, you’ll complete a thorough intake assessment. The information that’s gathered during this assessment will guide the development of your personalized treatment plan.
• Throughout your time in our detox program, you will be in a safe and closely supervised environment. You won’t have access to meth or other addictive drugs, which eliminates your risk of immediate relapse.
• You will be cared for by a team of experienced professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the kratom withdrawal process. They can safeguard your health, help you manage any discomfort, and answer any questions you have.
• Depending on the type and severity of your withdrawal symptoms, you may receive medical and/or therapeutic support.
• Before you complete meth detox, we will discuss follow-on treatment options with you and recommend the programs that best align with your needs and goals.