Kratom Addiction Treatment in Nashville: Medical Options that Work
I am Dr. William Conway, MD, FACP, FASAM. I treat Kratom addiction in my addiction medicine practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the past year, I have had three patients who presented to my practice requesting buprenorphine for relief of their Kratom Addiction. Each of their clinical courses with me had deep similarities:
- All of them began using Kratom from gas stations.
- All found relief from their early use of Kratom.
- All accelerated their use of Kratom,
- Spending more money,
- Chasing the initial relief that their early use of Kratom provided
- The early calm and relief never returned, even with ever-increasing use
- As they purchased increasing amounts, their withdrawal became more severe.
- As time passed, their purchase of Kratom switched from pleasure no longer found to avoid increasing suffering from withdrawal.
H2: Why is Kratom Addiction Difficult to Stop?
Kratom initially produces calm and pleasure, but over time, this effect fades, leading patients to use more to avoid withdrawal.
As time passes with continuing Kratom use, the pleasure reduces. Each of my patients gradually increased their use of daily Kratom in the hope of finding that pleasure again. Instead, they discovered that with a slight reduction in dose or a missed dose, each of them began experiencing restlessness, insomnia, and fatigue. The avoidance of the suffering produced by withdrawal is a powerful drive to continue using Kratom.
Each of my patients on Kratom attempted to reduce or stop on their own. The suffering of withdrawal overwhelmed their best intentions. They did not fail due to a lack of discipline. Kratom had altered the brain’s reward and stress system. Their reward and punishment center reinforced their use of Kratom. Cravings and withdrawal had become embedded in their brain.
H2: What are the Treatment Options for Kratom Addiction in Nashville?
Treatment options for Kratom begin with the decision to stop using Kratom. This crucial decision lays the foundation for detoxification, abstinence based treatment, or buprenorphine. Subsequent choices include a menu of counseling, acute detoxification, and buprenorphine.
The treatment of Kratom always begins with a decision. Recognizing Kratom’s disruption can be daunting. Taking the first step can empower you to regain control . After you recognize that Kratom is disrupting your life, with unexpected consequences and prices, you decide that you must stop using Kratom. You must learn to live a life without Kratom.
Some patients choose a self-designed program of abstinence. Others choose an abstinence-based program, including support from others. An inexpensive and readily available option is attending a local Narcotics Anonymous meeting. This approach works for some.
Others choose acute detoxification followed by abstinence-based treatment. Investing a few days to a week in one of Nashville’s many detoxification services can ease the burden of going through the acute withdrawal, as well as increase the probability of succeeding in stopping Kratom. After the acute phase of withdrawal is over, the patient must manage the prolonged phase of withdrawal and sustain a disciplined abstinence.
The final choice is the use of buprenorphine, both for detoxification and long-term recovery.
H2: Can Buprenorphine Treat Kratom Addiction?
For patients with known opioid use disorder or severe withdrawal, buprenorphine is an excellent choice for the treatment of your kratom addiction.
Kratom addiction is an opioid look-alike. The body recognizes Kratom as an opioid. It is not surprising that Kratom addiction will respond to buprenorphine detoxification as well as buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
Kratom behaves similarly to opioids:
H2: Should You Choose Detox or Medication Treatment?
Many factors determine the best treatment for your Kratom addiction:
- Your preferences,
- Your means,
- Your underlying chronic illnesses.
In my three patients in the past year, two succeeded with buprenorphine detoxification, the third failed on buprenorphine detoxification and chose to go elsewhere. In the use of buprenorphine at the beginning of treatment for opioid use disorder, it is common for patients to elect to stop buprenorphine, either in the first month or in the first year. So, my last year’s success rate of 66% is consistent with my prior experience and is as good as, if not better than, many reported longitudinal studies on retention in buprenorphine maintenance treatment at one year.
Of the two other patients that I have on buprenorphine for Kratom addiction, both are in the first year of treatment. One patient, labeled A, has underlying bipolar disorder and is under independent psychiatric treatment. A is deliberating on the duration of his treatment with buprenorphine. We are gradually reducing his dose to provide data to allow him to assess the benefit he receives from buprenorphine. Patient B, who is also in his first year of recovery on buprenorphine maintenance treatment, is convinced of the long-term benefit of buprenorphine.
There are many paths through life. If you have a Kratom addiction, recovery is the best path. If you choose recovery instead of suffering from your Kratom, you are the architect of your life. Choosing personalized treatment can help you feel supported and confident as you shape your future
H2: How Do You Choose the Right Recovery in Nashville?
You must choose your path to recovery. I have provided you with a broad menu of alternatives to discontinue Kratom and to maintain your discontinuance of Kratom. Each path has a different journey, with different financial costs and different time commitments.
Addiction is a chronic disease. It means that it is lifelong. My patients with an addiction have a history of achieving recovery, and then losing recovery, often multiple times, until they find a path that is sustainable for them. The faster you find a sustainable path, the longer and better your future
Many patients struggle to stop despite wanting to.
H2: What does Long-Term Recovery after Kratom Addiction Look Like?
Recovery from Kratom is not a single event. It is a process that unfolds over time. In early recovery, the focus is on stabilizing withdrawal and preventing relapse. Relapse is common after detoxification alone, particularly in the prolonged phase of withdrawal, when fatigue and blue mood predominate.
Long-term recovery is about building a life that is not dependent upon Kratom. Long-term recovery is about consistent progress over time.
Recovery based upon buprenorphine maintenance treatment has its own unique costs and benefits.
Conclusion
My work is to walk with you through those decisions — quietly, steadily, and without judgment. I am Dr. William Conway, MD, FACP, FASAM, in Nashville
📞Call 615-708-0390 to begin Kratom Addiction Treatment in Nashville
