At Bonus Round Recovery, we are dedicated to offering compassionate, evidence-based treatment for kratom addiction, an emerging concern that traps individuals in cycles of perceived relief and escalating dependence. Founded by Linnsey Dolson and Tony Holtz. These individuals have triumphed over their own battles with addiction and homelessness to build lives of purpose and success. Our center provides intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and transitional housing designed for adults aged 18-80. Our 12-week programs incorporate proven therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to empower you to regain control. Maintaining a client-to-clinical team ratio of 8:1, we emphasize holistic recovery, encompassing physical health enhancement, financial literacy, and relationship restoration. We distinguish ourselves in the recovery field through mentorship drawn from genuine, lived experiences. In this detailed guide, we will examine what kratom is, its history, essential facts, symptoms of abuse, effects, withdrawal, and how our specialized treatment can lead you to your “bonus round” in life.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Its leaves contain compounds like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing stimulant effects at low doses (such as increased energy and sociability) and sedative, opioid-like effects at higher doses (including pain relief and euphoria). Traditionally chewed or brewed into tea, kratom is now widely available in the West as powders, capsules, extracts, or tinctures, often marketed online as a natural supplement for pain management, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal aid. However, the FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use, classifying it as a “drug of concern” due to its potential for abuse and addiction. As a Schedule I substance in some states and countries, it carries significant risks when unregulated.
At Bonus Round Recovery, we regard kratom addiction as a legitimate and treatable health issue, not a lapse in willpower. Our programs confront the physiological, psychological, and behavioral components of this dependence, supporting safe tapering and equipping clients with strategies for enduring well-being. Our out-of-network model ensures flexible care customized to your individual circumstances.
History of Kratom Use and Addiction
Kratom’s use spans centuries in Southeast Asia, where indigenous communities have employed its leaves for millennia to boost endurance during labor, alleviate pain, and manage opium withdrawal. Historical records from the 19th century describe Thai workers chewing kratom leaves to combat fatigue, leading to Thailand’s 1943 ban amid concerns over worker productivity and addiction. Despite this, underground use persisted, and in the 20th century, kratom spread to neighboring countries like Malaysia, where it faced similar prohibitions.
The plant gained traction in the United States in the early 2000s through ethnobotanical enthusiasts and online vendors, touted as a safer alternative to prescription opioids amid the growing painkiller crisis. By 2010, sales exploded, with the American Kratom Association formed in 2014 to advocate for its legalization. However, reports of adverse events prompted FDA warnings in 2017, including links to salmonella outbreaks and deaths often involving polydrug use. As of 2025, kratom remains federally unregulated in the U.S., though banned in several states; the DEA’s 2016 proposal to schedule it as Schedule I was withdrawn due to public outcry. Internationally, the WHO has reviewed its risks, contributing to bans in countries like Australia and the UK. Our founders’ own paths through addiction inform our understanding of kratom’s deceptive allure, offering clients grounded perspectives to navigate this modern challenge.
Key Facts About Kratom Addiction
Kratom addiction, while less studied than traditional opioids, is increasingly recognized as a public health issue with rising reports of dependence. Here are crucial facts:
- Prevalence: Surveys estimate 1.7 million Americans used kratom in the past year as of 2023, with about 10-15% developing dependence; emergency room visits involving kratom rose 50% from 2019 to 2022.
- Health Risks: Kratom has been linked to over 2,000 adverse events reported to the FDA since 2011, including seizures, liver toxicity, and respiratory depression, especially at high doses.
- Addiction Mechanism: Its alkaloids mimic opioids, leading to tolerance and withdrawal similar to codeine or morphine, with dependence forming after daily use for weeks.
- Demographics: Users are predominantly young adults (18-34), often seeking alternatives for chronic pain or mental health, with higher rates among those with prior substance use histories.
- Polydrug Interactions: Kratom is frequently mixed with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or stimulants, amplifying overdose risks; it contributed to 152 deaths from 2017-2021, per CDC data.
- Regulatory Landscape: As of 2025, 16 U.S. states have banned kratom, while others require age restrictions; globally, it’s controlled in over 20 countries.
These details highlight the need for informed intervention. At our facility, we draw on the latest clinical research to tailor treatment, promoting optimal recovery through expert-guided care.
Symptoms of Kratom Abuse and Addiction
Early recognition of kratom abuse can halt progression to severe dependence. Symptoms align with substance use disorder criteria, requiring at least two in a 12-month period:
- Using larger amounts or over longer durations than intended.
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce use.
- Significant time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from kratom.
- Cravings that feel uncontrollable.
- Interference with major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
- Continued use despite social, relational, or health repercussions.
- Relinquishing hobbies or social engagements.
- Recurrent use in dangerous situations.
- Tolerance, necessitating more for desired effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation or reduction.
Additional red flags include isolation, mood swings, constipation, or secretive purchasing habits. Our pre-screening process detects these indicators confidentially, informing a suitable treatment plan.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Kratom Abuse
Short-Term Effects: At low doses, kratom boosts alertness, mood, and focus, but higher amounts induce nausea, dizziness, sweating, itching, and sedation. It can impair coordination and judgment, raising accident risks, and may cause acute toxicity like vomiting or hallucinations in overdose scenarios.
Long-Term Effects: Chronic use damages the liver, leading to jaundice or failure in rare cases, and disrupts gastrointestinal function with persistent constipation or weight loss. Neurologically, it alters brain chemistry, contributing to anxiety, depression, and cognitive fog upon cessation. Dependency fosters social withdrawal and financial strain, while adulterated products risk contamination with heavy metals or salmonella. Overall, prolonged abuse heightens vulnerability to other substances and mental health disorders.
Our programs incorporate medical assessments to counteract these impacts, blending therapy for comprehensive physical and emotional restoration.
Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms
Kratom withdrawal mirrors mild opioid withdrawal, onsetting 12-48 hours after last use and peaking within 3-5 days. Common symptoms include irritability, anxiety, muscle aches, runny nose, insomnia, sweating, yawning, and flu-like malaise. Gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea and loss of appetite often accompanies intense cravings, with psychological effects such as restlessness or depression lasting weeks. Unlike stronger opioids, it’s rarely fatal but can be profoundly uncomfortable, prompting relapse.
In our PHP, we facilitate managed tapering with supportive measures, progressing to IOP for coping mechanism development.
Treatment Options for Kratom Addiction
Kratom treatment typically involves gradual dose reduction to ease withdrawal, supplemented by behavioral therapies. CBT identifies triggers and builds alternative coping strategies, while DBT enhances distress tolerance and mindfulness. No FDA-approved medications exist specifically for kratom, but clonidine or loperamide may alleviate symptoms, and antidepressants address co-occurring mood issues. Support groups like Kratom Anonymous provide community reinforcement.
At Bonus Round Recovery, our 12-week structure integrates these elements with personalized mentorship. Daily group therapy cultivates belonging, 1-2 weekly individual sessions delve into root causes, and aftercare facilitates connections to sober living resources.
Why Choose Bonus Round Recovery for Kratom Addiction Treatment?
In a landscape of varied recovery options, our founder-inspired approach stands out with profound empathy and dedication. With an average census of 10-15 clients, we deliver attentive, individualized support. Our “bonus round” philosophy reframes hardship as opportunity, differentiating us from generic protocols.
We navigate common obstacles like minimization through empathetic intake, including referrals and safety assessments, while accommodating insurance and cash pay options.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
A healthier, happier life is within reach. At Bonus Round Recovery, we are dedicated to helping individuals break free from the gripping hold of kratom addiction, so they can rediscover healing, balance, and true purpose. Our goal is to provide every person who enters our programs with exceptional, personalized care in a supportive and empowering environment.
To learn more about how we can support your path forward or to begin your journey to recovery today, give us a call or visit our admissions page.