H1: Am I Addicted to Kratom? Signs, Withdrawal, and a Simple Self-Assessment
I am Dr. William Conway, MD, FACP, FASAM. I treat Kratom addiction in my addiction medicine practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
Life in Nashville is complicated. You are working 50-70 hours per week. You have a sense that something is wrong. A friend recommended Kratom to you for pain and fatigue relief. Kratom began as something helpful. Now it seems you need it.
You are asking yourself, “ Do I have a serious problem?”
Kratom began as something helpful. Now it seems you need it.
Many patients start by asking what Kratom is and how it affects the body—learn more in [What Is Kratom? A Patient Guide in Nashville]
👉 Links to:
Blog #1: What Is Kratom
H2: What Are the Early Signs of Kratom Dependence and Addiction?
You use Kratom daily. You are spending much more money than you did previously. You sense that your body now requires Kratom to function. Where Kratom initially gave you pleasure, you now take Kratom to avoid the pain that occurs when you do not have Kratom.
The early signs of kratom dependence are
- Daily Use. What began as occasional use becomes part of your routine. You now take Kratom in the morning or several times per day.
- Needing it to feel normal? You no longer take Kratom to feel better. You now take Kratom to avoid feeling worse. Without Kratom, you feel off, fatigued, or irritable.
- Mild Withdrawal. If you delay or miss a dose, you notice anxiety, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, or low mood.
If you have a dependence on Kratom, you have a serious problem.
If you are unsure whether you are dependent or addicted, you can read more about the difference in [Kratom Dependence vs Addiction: What Patients Need to Know]
H2: How Do You Know If You Have Lost Control of Your Kratom Use
Loss of control, relative to dose, means
- You are not able to discontinue Kratom
- You cannot reduce how much or how frequently you take Kratom
- You, in fact, continue to increase the amount of Kratom you take
Loss of control, relative to your life, means
- What used to work no longer feels sufficient. You take more to achieve the same effect.
- You are spending more money. Kratom has become a regular expense that continues to grow over time.
- You plan your day around Kratom. You think ahead about when you will take the next dose. You bring Kratom to work, travel, or social events to avoid discomfort.
Loss of control over your body, your choices, and any substance is a serious problem. You have choices to make
H2: Warning Signs That Kratom Use is Becoming an Addiction
As your use of Kratom progresses, it becomes a problem in your life.
Your ability to work is impaired because you
- Have difficulty concentrating.
- Reduced productivity
- Increased mental fog
Your spending on Kratom is out of control
- Your spending is more than you intended
- You continue to increase purchases
You find that your emotional life is impaired.
- Your mood is unstable between doses
- You are anxious or depressed
- You have emotional ups and downs
Your use of Kratom began as a pleasure, as a relief from pressure or fatigue. Now, is Kratom controlling you in Nashville?
H2: What Happens If You Try to Stop Kratom? Withdrawal Symptoms Explained
Stopping Kratom is the clearest way to understand your relationship to Kratom. If you go into withdrawal, then you are dependent upon Kratom. Withdrawal means Kratom will extract a price if you discontinue. Withdrawal means you have a stark choice of detoxifying from Kratom, and remaining off Kratom forever, or letting Kratom affect you, increasing your risk of a future of increasing impoverishment, impairment, and fewer prospects.
The signs of withdrawal if you discontinue Kratom include
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Cravings
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Irritability
Withdrawal can vary significantly from person to person. For a detailed breakdown, see [Kratom Withdrawal: Timeline, Symptoms, and Treatment Options]
H2: A simple Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted to Kratom
You may benefit from treatment if you recognize several of the following in your current use of Kratom.
You use Kratom every day
You feel uncomfortable or unwell without it
Your dose has increased over time
You are spending more than you planned
You organize your day around taking Kratom
Your mood, energy, or focus has changed for the worse
H2: Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it safe to buy Kratom at a gas station in Nashville?
2. Can Kratom produce a disease similar to Opioid Use Disorder?
Kratom is not classified as an opioid. However, the body recognizes Kratom as affecting the same reward pathways as opioids. Kratom can produce tolerance, dependence, loss of control, and impairments. Yes, Kratom can produce a chronic illness similar to Opioid Use Disorder.
3. How do I know if I am addicted to Kratom?
You take Kratom daily. If you do not take Kratom on a given day, you go into immediate withdrawal. You have lost control over the amount of Kratom you are taking. You are spending too much money on Kratom. You are sustaining losses or impairment from your use of Kratom.
4. How do I know if I am dependent on Kratom?
5. How do I get off Kratom?
Detoxification from Kratom can be done by yourself, by going to a detoxification service for a few days, or by going to a suboxone clinic. Detoxification is significant. Detoxification will require commitment from you. After detoxification, the real challenge is remaining abstinent from Kratom
6. Is Suboxone beneficial in the treatment of Kratom Addiction?
Yes, Suboxone is beneficial in detoxification from Kratom. Suboxone maintenance treatment is effective in maintaining abstinence from Kratom.
If you are considering treatment, you can learn more about it in our blog on Kratom treatment.
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. I treat Kratom addiction in Nashville.
📞Call 615-708-0390 to begin Kratom Addiction Treatment in Nashville
