Kratom: Killer or Cure?

Paramedics are helping with overdose

Over the past year, a once little-known plant has caused a lot of controversy in both the treatment field and government sectors. Kratom. On August 31 of last year, the DEA made public its plan to make Kratom a schedule one substance, which in essence would make it illegal. Kratom would have been put in schedule one along with drugs such as heroin and marijuana.

Many were outraged on both sides of the argument. The idea that a substance many claim to be both a safe alternative to opiates and a better form of pain management would be outlawed outraged proponents of the substance. The opposition claimed a substance that can be abused would be left without any legal classification.

So who is right? Or perhaps a better question is what are the pros and cons of this lesser-known narcotic.

First, if we are looking at it as a drug, what proof is there that kratom is a drug? Many users report an opiate-like high even though some say it is not as strong a high as other opiates.

Next question would be whether kratom forms a dependency, as with other opiate drugs? While some argue it does not, those who use it on a daily basis and who quit all at once have reported withdrawal symptoms according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Symptoms such as muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggression, emotional changes, runny nose, and jerky movements. Some users have even reported relying on the substance to get through their day most likely making the answer to this question a yes.

Third is whether there is a overdose fatality potential to Kratom.

There have been cases of fatal overdose linked to Kratom. So this is a yes to being potentialy fatal according to the Nation Institute on Drug Abuse it can be caused by other chemicals mixed into the kratom in stores.

There are clearly two sides to this pressing issue and the main question to answer is how are we to solve this so that we do not further endanger children, families and lives?

Narconon New Life Retreat is a Louisiana Drug Rehab that focuses on handling the underlying issues of a persons substance abuse. To learn more about our program call us today.

AUTHOR

Aaron

Aaron has been writing drug education articles and documenting the success of the Narconon program for over two years.

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