Kratom: What You Need to Know Before You Depend On It

Eleve Behavioral Health wants to highlight the growing pattern of Kratom Use and help people to understand the risks, withdrawal symptoms, and how to get help.

Kratom has been popping up everywhere — gas stations, vape shops, even wellness stores — and it’s often marketed as a natural way to manage stress, anxiety, or pain. For some who may already be struggling with dependency, it’s used as a self directed way to get off opioids. For others, it starts as a quick boost of energy or relaxation with the belief that its a natural or supplement like option that can’t hurt them.  

In reality, the growing misuse and abuse of Kratom is creating consequences in peoples lives as a result of dependency and addiction is on a progressive incline. The connection that Kratom like other gas station drugs is highly addictive is getting missed among the general public, leading to more and more people falling into the cycle of dependence and withdrawal.  

Just like with all Substance Use Disorder cases, it doesn’t begin with an immediate physical dependency, there is normally a progression from using something socially, or as it was intended to abuse/misuse or over using a substance for some level of euphoria or enjoyment to Physical Dependency, shift in brain chemistry and disruption of functionality. Kratom is easier for people to justify using because it is legally sold in most states in smoke shops and gas stations, readily available and marketed as a “Stress or Anxiety Reliever” or “Natural Pain Management Option” and there is no education or warning to show the risk factors for what that comes with.  

At ELEVE Behavioral Health, we’re seeing the growing increase of individuals struggling with kratom dependence — and many are surprised to learn that what felt harmless at first has turned into something they can’t control. These individuals are also unique in that they fall into a different category then Opiate Use Disorder and Opiate Withdrawal, even though the physical symptoms of this withdrawal mirror the same exact physical symptoms.  

 

What is Kratom? 

Kratom comes from a Southeast Asian plant. Its active compounds act on the same receptors as opioids, which is why people experience: 

• Increased energy and euphoria at low doses
• Sedation and pain relief at higher doses

It’s this overlap with opioid pathways that makes dependence possible — and withdrawal very real. The human brain and body will inevitably begin to change and adapt when you are fueling it with any substance daily, and eventually tolerance grows and people need more and more to get the same desired euphoric effect and thats when progression happens and denial becomes activated which allows people to continue the usage and create justifications despite consequences and harm to their life.  

Common signs of dependence include: 

• Needing more and more to feel “normal” 

• Strong urges and cravings for the substance 

• Making an effort to slow down, stop or cut back the usage that ends up being unsuccessful 

• Creating beliefs of why it is needed or okay even though there is clear evidence to show it is hurting you and your life, relationships and functioning. 

• Feeling sick when you try to cut back (withdrawal symptoms) 

• Using to wake up, sleep, or manage daily stress – reliance on the substance 

• Anxiety or irritability if you don’t have it and the inability to fight the impulse to use 

The cycle of abuse — you’re either chasing relief or avoiding withdrawal. 

Kratom Withdrawal: What It Can Feel Like 

Symptoms can look a lot like mild to moderate opioid withdrawal: 

• Anxiety and restlessness
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Sweating and chills
  • Nausea, GI upset, appetite changes
  • Insomnia or vivid nightmares
  • Depression or emotional crashes 

Some people also experience intense cravings and feel discouraged when trying to quit alone. 

How Treatment Can Help 

At ELEVE, we approach Kratom dependence with a trauma informed individualized approach to care — we see it under the same lense as Substance Use Disorder, but understand the unique difference, barriers and risks for relapse. Many people struggling with Kratom abuse take flught from treatment due to feeling the withdrawal isn’t being managed, they cant tolerate the discomfort and they return to what gives them relief. Withdrawal management is crucial to a successful recovery outcome. 

Your treatment should at the foundation include: 

1. Medical and psychiatric support  – To safely manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings 
2. ️Coping and stabilization skills  – So stress doesn’t push you back into old habits 
3. Peer support and trauma-informed therapy  – Because healing doesn’t happen alone 
4. A personalized plan to reduce risk factors for repeated use
    

If Kratom has caused disruption in your life, it can begin to feel like a hopeless battle you are stuck in with no end in site. Our treatment team believes in your ability to get well and recover until you can believe it for yourself.  

Whether you’re unsure about your relationship with kratom or already know it’s become a problem, we’re here to help you figure out the next step. 

Self Assessment

If any of the following feel familiar, it may be time to reach out: 

• “I can’t get through the day without it.” 

• “I tried quitting but the withdrawal was too much.” 

• “It’s affecting my mood, sleep, and relationships.” 

• “My friends/family are starting to notice.” 

If you answered yes to even one, talking with a treatment professional can make a huge difference.