How Can I Recover From a Kratom Addiction at the Cellular Level?

The influential spiritual leader and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?” This is a beautiful sentiment, one that can be utilized in many aspects of one’s life. However, it is most often inaccessible to those who are struggling with something as corrosive as a kratom addiction. The good news is there is help and hope for those struggling. The key is to reach out for it.

What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?

Healing at the cellular level is all about healing holistically. This means healing in all aspects of one’s life: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even socially. It is important to remember that all of these components are interconnected (as Thich Nhat Hanh would say, “interbeing”). Thus, to heal any one of these areas, all must be addressed.

So, how does one heal at the cellular level? The key is to connect with a recovery plan that is going to address these holistic needs. For example, a recovery plan that utilizes psychotherapy for mental health should also utilize nutrition therapy for physical health. A recovery plan that utilizes a nutrition plan for physical health should also utilize experiential therapy for emotional well-being. Lastly, a recovery plan that utilizes experiential therapy for emotional well-being should utilize a practice like yoga for spiritual growth, and so on and so forth. There are endless possibilities for essential variety. This is also known as “multi-angled” recovery. 

Healing With a Multi-Angled Recovery Program

A multi-angled recovery plan is going to be a plan that focuses on the comprehensive needs of the individual. This can only take place after an appropriate and professional assessment takes place. Once this happens, an effective plan can be laid out.

However, this comprehensive plan should also be malleable and have contingencies. It is important to be able to shift away when something isn’t working and/or be able to direct more focus on something that is. A multi-angled recovery plan also focuses on the internal as well as the external. This means that it focuses on the root/core causes of one’s primary issues.

A Focus on the Root/Core Causes of Addiction

Many people are under the false impression that addiction is something that is solely behavioral. This is a fallacy. The behaviors are most often the result of underlying issues rather than the cause of them. This is why many people in the recovery field refer to addiction as “but a symptom of deeper issues.”

This is also why addiction is referred to as a “medical disorder” rather than a behavioral one. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a medical disorder that affects the brain and changes behavior. We have identified many of the biological and environmental risk factors and are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disorder. Scientists use this knowledge to develop effective prevention and treatment approaches that reduce the toll drug use takes on individuals, families, and communities.” As previously mentioned, these are the approaches best utilized in multi-angled recovery.

Getting to the underlying root/core causes of addiction also has to do with the specifics of addiction and the underlying effects they may cause due to their specific properties. This includes the addictive effects of kratom.

What Exactly Is Kratom?

While kratom has been around for a very long time, it has only recently gained traction in the U.S. and other Western countries. So then, what exactly is kratom?

According to the peer-reviewed journal Pain and Therapy, “Mitragyna speciose (Korth) is a tree-like herb consumed for its distinctive psychotropic properties. Commonly known as ‘kratom’ – a term referring to both the plant itself and the botanical products derived from its leaves – the M. speciosa tree is a tropical evergreen indigenous to the southeastern Asia-Pacific region, sharing close phylogeny with the coffee plant in the Rubiaceae family… Kratom is primarily sought out for its stimulant and opioid-like properties, and may be used either for its perceived therapeutic effects or as a recreational drug.” These “properties” are sought for their euphoric effects, often without any forethought of the consequences or dangers.

The Dangers of Kratom

The dangers of kratom are still being understood. According to NIDA, “Adverse effects range from mild to severe. Some people who use kratom have reported mild side effects, such as nausea, constipation, dizziness, and drowsiness. In case reports, clinicians report seeing patients with a wide range of very rare but serious adverse effects associated with kratom exposure – including mental and neurological symptoms (confusion, tremors, and seizures), heart and lung problems (high blood pressure and slow breathing), gastrointestinal problems (nausea and vomiting) and liver problems.”

Kratom has also been shown to cause more serious “psychotic symptoms.” According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness. At high doses, users experience sedative effects. Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. Several cases of psychosis resulting from the use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion.” The next question that arises is how to spot the signs and symptoms of kratom use and kratom addiction. 

The Signs and Symptoms of Kratom Use and Kratom Addiction

Just as the effects of a kratom addiction can be mild to severe, the signs and symptoms of a kratom addiction can also vary. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

• Becoming violent and/or aggressive after ingestion
• Acting more talkative than “normal”
• Constantly looking to obtain more of the substance (including spending excessive amounts of money on kratom)
• Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
• Struggling with respiratory issues
• Unable to stop using once an individual has started
• Having gastrointestinal problems
• Exhibiting increased amounts of energy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Struggling with sleep patterns, including sleeping too much and/or sleeping too little (insomnia)
• Experiencing hallucinations
• Becoming anxious and/or depressed
• Having suicidal ideations

As one can see, these symptoms can be significantly dangerous. This is why seeking professional help is recommended sooner rather than later. Doing so can mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.

How Can I Recover From a Kratom Addiction at the Cellular Level?

The good news is that a kratom addiction is highly treatable. The key is to get help as soon as possible. 

As previously mentioned, it is also important to connect with a treatment facility or recovery center that focuses on comprehensive (multi-angled) and individualized care. This includes utilizing foundational psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Healing From a Kratom Addiction With Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is often referred to as “foundational” because it is evidence-based, which simply means that enough studies have been conducted to show its efficacy. This is also why many recovery plans use psychotherapy as a base treatment and build up from there.

According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Addiction Psychotherapeutic Care, by Doctors Yue and Pena, “Psychosocial interventions are a crucial part of addiction treatment programs as they target the social, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to increased use, which medication is generally unable to address. These interventions are broad and varied and involve many different theoretical backgrounds. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce substance use and improve occupational, interpersonal, physical, and psychological functioning.” One of the primary psychotherapies that is utilized for addiction care is CBT.

CBT is critical for treating addiction because it gets to those underlying root/core causes that were previously mentioned. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a class of interventions that share the basic premise that mental disorders and psychological distress are maintained by cognitive factors. The core premise of this treatment approach, as pioneered by Beck (1970) and Ellis (1962), holds that maladaptive cognitions contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and behavioral problems. According to Beck’s model, these maladaptive cognitions include general beliefs, or schemas, about the world, the self, and the future, giving rise to specific and automatic thoughts in particular situations.”

By addressing these underlying issues, one can eventually address the negative behaviors associated with them. Addressing these behaviors can bring about the change needed to grow in one’s recovery. Another therapy that can be essential for growth (though a more physical one) is nutritional therapy.

Healing From a Kratom Addiction With Nutritional Therapy

Healing the body is a critical component of recovery. As previously mentioned, it is how one heals holistically (or, completely). So, how is this accomplished? One of the ways is through an effective diet via nutritional therapy.

Nutritional therapy is as much about what one keeps out of their diet as one puts in. According to the Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JNP), “In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients, contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber,” and “Anti-Nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.”

Keeping these “anti-nutrients” out of one’s system is critical for recovering at the cellular level. Now, many people might think doing so will leave one with few options and a rather bland plate. This is not the case at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, as we have world-class chefs who utilize organic locally grown foods and create menus that are tailor-made for each client. So our food is both delicious and satiating.

Healing From a Kratom Addiction With Nature-Immersion Therapy

A kratom addiction can cause an individual’s life to get very “small.” Thus, for a healthy recovery, life must expand again. This can happen by reconnecting with the outside world and by reconnecting to nature. According to the National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression while promoting a sense of well-being and fulfillment.” Also, “Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.”

There are also many other benefits of connecting to nature via nature immersion therapy. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides improvements to physical and psychological well-being, exposure to natural environments has been shown to bring about positive impacts on cognitive functioning.” Also, “While cognitive restoration and physiological well-being are the prominent and renowned benefits of nature exposure, there is one important construct that is often overlooked in environmental psychology research studies – that is, the human-nature relationship; also known as connectedness to nature (CN).”

Now, connecting to green spaces is not the only way to get the positive effects of nature immersion therapy. There are also benefits to engaging in aquatic activities. This includes engaging in surf therapy. 

Healing From a Kratom Addiction With Surf Therapy

Surf therapy is also an ideal way to expand one’s life as one recovers from a kratom addiction. It is also a way to make recovery both more engaging and exciting. This is especially true on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, where some of the world’s best waves can be found.

Like the other therapies discussed, surf therapy offers many benefits. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.” Another therapy that offers extensive benefits is horticulture therapy.

Healing From a Kratom Addiction With Horticulture Therapy

Hawaii not only offers exceptional waves and green spaces, but it also offers exceptional ways to interact with the earth comprehensively. In recovery, this cultivation is best achieved via horticulture therapy.

Kratom addiction recovery can benefit greatly from horticulture therapy. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “People’s interactions with plants, through goal-orientated horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental disorders in many ways. First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people to reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability.” The list of benefits also expands much further.

Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in focusing on the individual rather than their diagnosis (though, of course, this is a critical component). As the father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, famously said, “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.”

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we also believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” Kratom and the short-term “relief” it may have offered is nothing compared to living a life that is free from the bonds of addiction.

Thich Nhat Hanh also said, “People suffer because they are caught in their views. As soon as we release those views, we are free, and we don’t suffer anymore.” It is time to be free from that which is doing nothing more than holding back the joyous growth that life has to offer. Recovery is just over the horizon. One just needs to let go and journey toward it. A new life is within reach.

Kratom is a highly addictive substance that can have many negative and dangerous side effects. The good news is there are many options for recovering from a kratom addiction. This includes engaging in psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information about how to heal from a kratom addiction at the cellular level, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.