Kratom is not yet a well-known drug, but its usage has become more common in the United States in the past several years. Because some people lack factual information about this narcotic, they may feel it’s not dangerous to use. Things they may not consider are if the drug is addictive and what to do if they abuse it. The other question many ask is, “Can you overdose on kratom?”
Tampa Bay Recovery created a program to help people overcome kratom abuse and rediscover a healthy life free of substance abuse. Our detox and other outpatient programs help change lives and make getting sober easier to accomplish.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a drug that is made from the leaves of a tree called Mitragyna speciosa that originates in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Locals originally used it to treat medical symptoms, including diarrhea, lethargy, and coughing. They also used it for the relief of pain.
Still, other people used it to achieve an effect similar to stimulant drugs. When kratom made its way to the United States, it became known by street names such as thang, ketum, biak, and kakuam. Kratom can be brewed into tea, smoked, mixed into food, or made into capsules. Some people chew on the leaves in order to get the effects.
At this time, kratom is not yet classified as an illegal drug. However, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considers it to be a “drug of concern”. This means the DEA will continue to monitor the drug and potentially reclassify it as an illegal narcotic. For now, the agency asks people to avoid using kratom. In fact, they warn that there are no known FDA-approved uses for the drug.
In the U.S., people who obtain kratom tend to use it for recreational reasons. They take it for its stimulant effects so they can have increased energy. It also makes many people feel more sociable, making it an ideal drug for people looking to stay up late into the night in party-type atmospheres.
Depending on the amount taken, some people experience extended periods of happiness or euphoria or they report feeling sedated. Because kratom is not yet illegal, many people mistake it for a harmless party drug and don’t worry about becoming addicted or asking themselves, ”Can you overdose on kratom?”
Can You Overdose on Kratom?
Can you overdose on kratom or is it a safe drug to take? Like with virtually every other drug, there is such a thing as taking too much of it and putting a person’s health or life in danger. Because kratom is fairly new to these shores, research is still being done to understand fully what happens when someone becomes addicted to or overdoses on the drug.
What researchers do know is that the risk of overdose increases when someone takes kratom along with other substances. This includes other stimulants, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol.
Signs of a Kratom Overdose
Someone who ingests too much kratom puts themselves at risk of incurring dangerous medical problems. Someone worried about if you can overdose on kratom should know the signs that indicate an overdose has taken place.
While symptoms may vary, common ones that happen include the following:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Losing consciousness
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Feeling agitated, irritable, or anxious
How is Kratom Addiction Treated?
Whenever someone becomes addicted to kratom or other drugs, whether they are legal recreational drugs, illegal street drugs, or prescription drugs, they will need professional help. The first step in overcoming a substance use disorder is going to a detox program. This takes an average of five to seven days and includes the all-important medical supervision every person going through detox should have in order to remain safe.
After completing detox, some people attend residential treatment. For others, outpatient programs provide the right balance of treatment services. The levels of outpatient care, going from least time-intensive to those that require attending the most sessions per week, include:
- Outpatient Programming (OP)
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Each level of care features access to evidence-based therapies proven to help people overcome substance use disorders. Medical and psychological experts trained to treat addiction provide services to give people the medical and psychological support they need to stop using kratom. In addition, any kratom withdrawal symptoms experienced can be treated with prescription medications that offer relief.
Find Help for Kratom Addiction in Tampa, FL
Are you using kratom or know someone who does and find yourself wondering, “Can you overdose on kratom?” If so, an addiction may have developed that requires professional treatment. Tampa Bay Recovery offers highly effective detox and outpatient programs that help people overcome their substance use disorders.
Our staff of addiction experts get to know you and prescribe a series of therapies to help you recover from your substance use disorder. We also prescribe medications that can help relieve any withdrawal symptoms that develop.
Would you like to talk about how to enroll in our program and get the help you need? Visit our admissions page now for more information on how to get started.
