According to a CDC report, the number of deaths caused by drug overdoses has quadrupled since 1990. And nearly 500,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids. Although illegal drugs play an important role in this, prescription drugs are also responsible. But many Americans who use prescription opioids don’t believe that they might be misusing them. Nevertheless, many others know the consequences of opioid abuse, that’s why they’re looking for ways to stop using them. Kratom is one of the most popular natural products to stop using opioids. But is it effective? Learn how to get off opioids with kratom in this article.
How to Tell If Someone Is Abusing Opiates
It’s not easy to tell if someone is abusing opiates, especially in the early stages. But you should keep in mind that if you are using illegal drugs, most likely you are abusing them. Illegal drugs are extremely dangerous, and they are often adulterated with other harmful substances.
If you or a loved one is using prescription opiates, it might be more difficult to tell if you are using them the right way. Some signs to tell if someone is abusing opiate medication include:
- Mood or behavior changes.
- Taking more than the prescribed dose or for an extended period.
- Using opioids without a prescription.
- Taking the medication to prevent pain, even when you are not feeling pain.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Poor decision-making.
- Seeking pain medication from several doctors to stock up.
Finally, if you suspect that you are abusing opiates, the answer is probably yes. Your intuition may play an important role to tell if you or a loved one is misusing pain medication.
Risk Factors for Opioid Abuse
The first thing to consider is that most people who use prescription medication will use it correctly and won’t end up abusing them. However, consider that anyone who uses prescription medicines or illegal opiates can develop this disorder if they are not careful.
There are some risk factors that may increase this problem:
- Younger age
- Stress, depression, or anxiety
- Personal or family history of drug use
- Legal problems
- Being in an environment where others abuse substances
Consequences of Opioid Abuse
Opioid abuse poses very serious consequences that can harm your physical and mental health. Some of them are:
- Memory loss
- Loss of motivation
- Cognitive disfunction
- Mood swings
- Social problems
- Heart disease
- Anxiety
- Sleep trouble
- Weakened immune system
- Respiratory disease (including respiratory suppression)
- Antisocial behavior
- Isolation
- Addiction
- Overdose
- And ultimately, death
As you see, drug abuse is very serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Can Kratom Help with Opioid Addiction?
Kratom is a natural substance obtained from the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree. In recent years, it has become very popular amongst people seeking natural ways to manage their pain, stress, anxiety, or simply to feel more energized and focused. Moreover, kratom has become the product of choice to many individuals who are fighting opioid abuse, or who simply want to use a natural alternative instead.
But how does kratom help with opioid addiction? The plant contains alkaloids, namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine that bind to the opioid receptors in the system. This way, it provokes similar effects to those of opioids. The biggest difference between kratom and opioids is that kratom does not cause respiratory depression, the most dangerous consequence of opioid use.
Since some kratom effects are similar to those of opioids, it can be helpful to manage opioid addiction. But it’s important to know that kratom must be used with care. The fact that it is a natural product, doesn’t mean that it comes with no risks. Like any other natural substance, kratom may have unpleasant side effects. Also, if you abuse kratom, you may end up developing tolerance and addiction. That’s why it’s important that you use it safely. So, keep reading below to see how to get off opioids with kratom safely.
How to Get Off Opioids with Kratom?
First of all, you need to know that you must use kratom safely, and not abuse the plant. Although kratom is safer than opioids, it doesn’t mean that you can have as much as you like, whenever you like. However, most people who have got off opioids with kratom say that the plant has changed their lives. This is especially true, for those who had a history of illegal drug abuse.
Secondly, keep in mind that you should not mix kratom with any other substances, as they can interact together causing unpleasant or dangerous side effects.
Taking all of these into account, how to get off opioids with kratom? Let’s see some tips:
Find the right dosage. You should start with the lower dosage possible. In the beginning, you will probably need a higher kratom dose to overcome opioid withdrawal but keep reducing your dosage until you feel that you don’t need to use opioids. The goal should be reducing your kratom intake to no more than 2-4g per day. If you like you can stop using kratom altogether after you feel that you no longer need opioids or kratom.
Best Kratom Strains for Opioid Addiction
There’s no best strain to overcome opioid addiction, so you should choose the variety that works best for you. However, there are some things that you may want to take into consideration before you choose your strain:
- Red strains are typically more relaxing, calming, and pain-relieving. They’re also more potent and will help you sleep.
- White strains are more uplifting and energizing, so they may not be the best option for getting off opioids.
- Green kratom strains are more balanced, so they might be an option when you are reducing your kratom intake.
Also, many people prefer to use a potent strain at first, like Maeng Da or a Red Bali.
If you have successfully got off opioids with kratom, please do not hesitate to share your experience with us in the comments section below.
