Don’t Ban Kratom: Voices From Recovery Communities

The Southeast Asian herb known as Kratom has become the subject of intense discussion in the US. Opponents contend that it should be prohibited due to its addictive qualities, but many Americans, especially those in recovery from mind-altering drug usage, have a different way of seeing things. These people attribute their ability to control withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings, and take back their lives to Kratom. Banning Kratom would be a tragic loss of a lifeline for many in the recovery community, not simply a setback.

This article will discuss the benefits of Kratom for healing including testimonies, from users, and look at why a prohibition would be more harmful than helpful.

Introduction To Kratom?

The tropical tree known as Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) belongs to the coffee family. Active substances like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are found in its leaves, interact with opioid receptors in the brain in a manner distinct from that of conventional opioids. Kratom has a stimulating effect at low dosages. It can have calming and discomfort-relieving effects at larger dosages.

In Southeast Asia, Kratom has long been used for energy, restlessness relief, and mood support, but in the West, it has come under criticism. Critics include a lack of FDA approval, adverse effects, and possible misuse. However, many people in the recovery community do not share these worries.

An Organic Substitute In The Opioid Epidemic

For more than 20 years, the United States has been dealing with a deadly opioid crisis. Addiction to illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl, as well as prescribed medication, has plagued millions of Americans. Although many people have benefited from drugs like buprenorphine and methadone, not everyone can get or use them.

Let’s talk about Kratom. It is appealing to those weaning off opioids or managing post-acute withdrawal because of its special capacity to attach to opioid receptors without causing the same strong euphoria or respiratory discomfort. Kratom is sometimes one of the only accessible and reasonably priced resources for residents of remote or underdeveloped areas.

Actual Narratives: Kratom-Assisted Recovery

People who take Kratom as part of their recovery process make the strongest argument for it. These are opinions from throughout the nation:

Kentucky Native Tanya

“Fentanyl killed my sister. I was following the same path, using daily to feel normal. I made two attempts at recovery, but the withdrawal symptoms were intolerable. I tried Kratom out of desperation after hearing about it from a friend. It only lessened the edge; it didn’t get me euphoric. It’s been sixteen months since I stopped using heroin. Kratom allowed me to try again.”

James From Oregon

“I served in the Marines. I had PTSD and chronic discomfort after returning home. After starting me on Oxycodone, I was moved to Suboxone. However, Suboxone turned me into a zombie. I was able to stop using Kratom without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. To control my discomfort, I still take a tiny amount in the morning. I don’t know where I would be without it.

Lisa from Florida

I couldn’t afford the time off work or the expense of inpatient therapy since I’m a single mother. I could use Kratom and still be able to work and take care of my children. I was able to gently wean myself off medicines thanks to it. I’ve been clean for more than a year, yet I still support access.

Thousands of individuals claim that Kratom benefited them after everything else failed. These are just a few examples.

Science Is Getting Up to Speed

Although a more thorough clinical study is still required, current studies confirm what many users already know:

• According to a 2019 research published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the majority of Kratom users take it only for discomfort relief or to cut back on opioid usage and do not exhibit the typical symptoms of addiction or withdrawal.
• Many Americans self-treat restlessness, uneasiness, and drug use problems using Kratom, according to a 2020 Johns Hopkins University poll. This practice is frequently seen to be effective and to have few negative consequences.
• Over 5 million Americans routinely use Kratom, many of whom are in recovery, according to a 2022 study from the American Kratom Association (AKA).

Despite misuse concerns, Kratom seems to be significantly less dangerous than opioids or even drugs like alcohol or benzodiazepines. Crucially, there is no evidence that Kratom causes the deadly respiratory uneasiness that is the primary cause of opiate overdose deaths.

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Why A Ban Would Not Help, But Hurt

State and federal attempts to outlaw Kratom are frequently motivated by misinformation or uneasiness. However, banning only pushes demand underground; it doesn’t completely remove it.

A prohibition on Kratom may have the following effects on recovery communities:

1. A Vital Tool Is Lost

For people managing chronic discomfort or weaning off opioids, Kratom can make the difference between recovery and relapse. Many would be left without alternatives if it were taken away.

2. The Drive For Illicit Substances

People may turn back to more harmful drugs like heroin or fentanyl if Kratom is banned. Some users report increased cravings or a return to past drug usage when Kratom is unavailable.

3. Unsafe Products And Underground Markets

Kratom won’t go away if it is prohibited; it will just become uncontrolled. As was the case with synthetic cannabinoids and other “gray area” chemicals, this raises the possibility that tainted or adulterated items will make their way onto the illicit market.

4. Making Recovery a Crime

Responsible Kratom users would be compelled to violate the law to maintain their health. This makes both the drug and those who depend on it for stability illegal.

Regulation Is Necessary, Not Prohibition

The ideal course of action is careful control rather than outright prohibition of Kratom. The following would be involved:

• Standards for product testing and labeling
• Prohibiting synthetic additives and adulterants
• Limitations on age to keep young people from using
• Adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

To guarantee product safety without limiting access, states have approved the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which was advocated for by groups like the American Kratom Association.

Sensible regulation would guarantee that consumers are aware of what they’re ingesting and that dishonest people don’t damage the reputation of a natural substance that has genuine medicinal value.

Taking Care Of Dependency Issues

The potential for dependency or withdrawal is one reason against Kratom. While it’s true that some people suffer modest withdrawal symptoms (such as irritation, exhaustion, or nausea) upon ceasing long-term usage, these symptoms are often considerably less severe than with opioids or alcohol.

It’s critical to distinguish between addiction (a pattern of obsessive usage despite damage) and dependence (a physiologic adaptation that can occur with coffee, SSRIs, or blood pressure medications). The majority of Kratom consumers do not experience addictive tendencies.

The recovery community’s support, education, and appropriate usage are more important than outright bans.

The Voice Of The Recovery Community

Recovery activists, peer counselors, and medical professionals are opposing the Kratom ban update in the United States:

Kratom has started to be included in comprehensive harm-reduction plans by recovery organizations.

Tips for tapering and appropriate usage are actively shared by peer support forums such as Reddit’s r/Kratom and r/quitting Kratom.

Before making snap judgments or enacting prohibitions, independent addiction experts are urging further research.

Although Kratom isn’t for everyone and isn’t a panacea, it is essential for a significant portion of individuals in recovery, frequently those who have exhausted all other options.

A Request To Lawmakers: Hear The Experience Firsthand

Outside the recovery community, such as law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical lobbyists, or regulators, are frequently the ones pushing for a Kratom ban. However, individuals attempting to manage their grief, stay sober, or start over after an addiction are the ones who are most impacted.

These people don’t commit crimes. They are workers, parents, veterans, and caregivers who discovered a solution when all else failed.

The opinions of these individuals must be considered in any policy decision about Kratom. Our approach should be guided by compassion, science, and lived experience rather than stigma or fear.

Conclusion: Reducing Harm Is A Human Right

Although there are risks associated with Kratom, it is a far safer option for people attempting to overcome addiction than alcohol or narcotics. It would be cruel in addition to being shortsighted to outlaw it.

We should fund research, encourage safe access, and support harm-reduction strategies that meet people where they are rather than criminalizing a plant that has benefited countless people.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Kratom is a part of that journey for many people. And they have a right to be heard.