The first task to complete when forsaking a Kratom addiction is the detoxification process, usually referred to simply as detox. This involves the part where the body initially becomes accustomed to not having the drug present. As with most addictive substances, this is accomplished in a Kratom detox program by slowly reducing the amount taken. This allows the body to get used to its absence, without excessive physical or mental side effects.

Regardless of the fact that detox is usually the shortest part of overall sobriety, it is usually quite intense. The feelings experienced while the body adjusts to normalcy are overwhelming, and include many of the symptoms found with drying out from opioid or opiate addiction. The most commonly-experienced physical symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Vomiting
• Restlessness
• Muscle pain

Physical symptoms are not the only ones felt during Kratom detox. Mental and emotional experiences are likely to be felt as well. These include:

• Hallucinations
• Extreme anxiety or panic attacks
• Depression
• Aggression
• Mood swings

The Timeline for Kratom Withdrawal

The symptoms from Kratom withdrawal usually adhere to a similar timeline as that found with opiates. These symptoms can start anywhere from eight to twelve hours after last taking the drug. Experiences at this stage include nausea, depression and feeling like you have the flu. These will be less intense until you reach about a day without any taking Kratom.

Once the first 24 hours is up, the symptoms start to increase in severity exponentially. Severe anxiety begins to pop up, and can result in frequent and intense mood swings. Physical effects usually consist of debilitating migraines and intense cravings. During the next three days, these feelings will increase to the most intense they are likely to get.

Once that third day has been overcome, the symptoms should start to subside. This usually lasts for about four to five days or so until they start to disappear. Physical feelings usually go first, with their mental and emotional counterparts disappearing soon after. Once a week has elapsed, symptoms should be gone almost completely.

Medicated Detox

Given the intensity of the feelings of withdrawal from Kratom, it is usually wise to include medicated detox if possible. Medicated detox is where different drugs are administered to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms that an addict is experiencing. This provides for an easier detox experience, and reduces the chances of relapse exponentially.

While Kratom does affect the same receptors in the brain as opiates do, detox drugs like Suboxone or Methadone are usually not administered. Instead, drugs to combat specific symptoms are usually given. These include antidepressants to help with depression and anxiety, or anti-inflammatory drugs for the muscle pain and discomfort. Lofexidine, a drug used to lower blood pressure, has also been shown to be beneficial during the detox process for Kratom.

Once the detox process has been completed, the next step is to enroll in a good rehab program. Detox is actually many times a component of rehab, with the ongoing part of the treatment commencing once detox is done. There are a few different types of rehabs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. What works for one person may not be best for you, so be sure to understand your options before you make your final choice.

Inpatient Rehab

When a person thinks of rehab, chances are the first thing that pops in their mind is an inpatient program. Because of the intensity of a Kratom addiction, it is most common for addicts to opt for this type of program. Being constantly cared for, and closely monitored makes an inpatient rehab program usually the best place to start out when kicking a Kratom addiction.

Your First Day

The very first day of attending rehab can be daunting. The newness of the surroundings and the unfamiliarity with the professionals and your peers can turn an already trying time into one that can overwhelm you. Chances are, you are already feeling the effects of not using the drug, so any discomfort or shyness experienced is usually amplified quite a bit.

To cut down on the amount of time it takes to acclimate to your surroundings, the rehab will usually assign an existing patient to show you the ropes. Not only does this allow you to familiarize yourself with your setting and surroundings, it can also help you make a new friend. Friendships developed in a setting like rehab can go a long way towards making the stay more pleasant. They can also give you someone to hook up with once your stay is completed.

Time is also taken on that first day for you to meet with the different professionals who will be treating you. This is, perhaps, the most important step, given that it is usually used to develop a tailored treatment plan that will work for your individual addiction. Plans for your discharge also begin development at this early stage, to make sure you are not caught unprepared once your treatment is completed. Your doctors and therapists understand that what you are going through may be especially difficult, so these meetings are usually kept pretty low key.

What is a Normal Day in Rehab Like?

While the exact makeup of each individual rehab's daily routine can vary, there is usually a general structure to most that remains the same. As mentioned previously, a structured regimen and routine is best when treating an addiction, so rehabs like to have each day pretty much the same as the next. Patients can predict what will happen each day, which keeps the amount of boredom and excessive free time to a minimum.

Most rehabs usually like to start things pretty early in the morning. Your doctors and therapists understand that it is important to make the time you have there as beneficial as possible, so sleeping late is discouraged. A healthy breakfast is also an integral part of the morning, considering that proper nutrition is necessary in ensuring you have the right amount of energy to navigate the day successfully.

Another activity encouraged in the morning is exercise. Studies have shown that exercising in the morning can have positive effects, even for a person not struggling with addiction. These benefits are magnified greatly for addicts, especially when the addiction has compromised overall health. Yoga is an excellent example, and is widely used by many rehab programs. This exercise is also usually structured, and consists of different classes put together as part of the treatment program.

Exercising and stimulating the mind is just as helpful and vital as the exercises you do for your body. One of the most popular ways to put a rehab patient in the proper mindset for the day is meditation. This is also usually done in a structured and controlled environment, which can be especially helpful since many people have trouble staying focused on their own. Guided meditation is popular as a way to help keep each person centered and keeps the mind from wandering.

Once these morning basics have been completed, a group therapy session is usually in order. These are usually lighter and less intense than some that may be found later on in the day. Many people take some time to fully wake up, so easing into therapy with a relaxed group session is usually helpful.

Once lunch has been finished is usually when the more intensive treatment options start to take place. Patients have had the opportunity to get to where they can handle more of the stress that usually comes with getting at the meat of their addiction by this point. This is not to say that attendees are overworked in any way, just that the main body of their treatment plan is held during this time.

Once the lion's share of the therapy aspect of each day is concluded, a more relaxed and fun period usually begins. Free time is given that patients can use how they want to, and can include many different relaxing or stimulating activities. Many times, rehabs come equipped with different exercise and outdoor games that can be participated in, the specifics of which vary by each facility. Others may opt to watch some TV, or just read a good book.

To get in a good mindset to wrap up the day, most rehab facilities will round things out with another light group session, similar to the one in the morning. Many times this will include a 12-step program, such as Narcotics Anonymous. Being able to get some last minute sharing in helps patients avoid racing thoughts while they are trying to get much needed rest.

Different Types of Inpatient Therapy

There are several different types of therapy that can be found in an inpatient rehab setting. The goal in rehab is to tackle each aspect of addiction, and develop the tools and skills needed to combat them all. Some types of therapy are good for certain aspects, while others excel at different ones. Having a well-rounded and balanced schedule of therapy types ensures that nothing important is overlooked.

Individual Therapy

Meeting one on one with a doctor or therapist is one of the most common and helpful types of therapy found in inpatient rehab. Individual therapy allows all the focus to be on you and your issues, rather than the dispersed nature of a group setting. Many aspects of addiction are personal or embarrassing, and may be difficult to share when other people are around. Because your doctor is a paid professional, it may be easier to open up to them without feeling any form of judgment.

There are different types of individual therapy that are used in most programs. One of the most common is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known simply as CBT. With CBT, patients are first taught to identify how they handle different stressors and triggers. Once these have been identified, progress can be made towards more healthy and productive responses.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is another prime staple found in virtually all rehab programs. In Kratom group therapy, addicts come together to share their problems and stories, and listen to what their fellow patients are going through as well. These meetings are usually presided over by a doctor or therapist, whose primary goal is to keep things organized and make sure everyone has a chance to share equally. A group therapy meeting allows participants to learn from those who know the addiction the most.

Another advantage found with group therapy is the simple social factor found in those settings. It can be difficult getting to know everyone in a rehab facility, and making friends can seem like a challenge on top of everything else you have to handle. By attending a group meeting, you can develop bonds that are stronger than most.

Holistic Therapy

More and more, rehab facilities are understanding the benefits that can come from holistic approaches. Holistic therapy, or alternative therapy, involves examining the addiction in a natural way, rather than use medications or standard therapeutic practices. Types of holistic treatments found in Kratom rehab include meditation, art therapy, nutrition classes and exercise.

Specialized Therapy

It is not uncommon for an addiction to Kratom to manifest as a result of specific circumstances in a person's life. For example, difficulty handling an anger problem can lead to a desire for the calming effects seen in higher doses of Kratom. Grief over a deceased friend or loved one is another common factor in why many people turn to drugs like Kratom. Having specialized therapy sessions geared towards these precursors specifically, both in a group and individualized setting, can get at the basic roots that fuel the addiction.

Family Therapy

Once rehab is completed, most people go home to their families. Most drug addictions affect not only the addict, but also those who love them. It is extremely common for an addiction to result in problems with family members, some of which can be serious enough to destroy the relationship completely. Some addicts may become codependent on their loved ones, which is extremely unhealthy. It is also the exact opposite of what is needed for long term sobriety.

Family therapy is extremely effective at addressing and resolving these and other problem areas that may exist in the home. Family members are invited into an individual therapy session with the addict and the attending physician. This provides an atmosphere where anyone who has something to say can do so, without rancor or judgment. There are no sides in these sessions, so therapists can provide help and insight to everyone without the appearance of favoritism or preference.

Outpatient Rehab

While inpatient rehab is the best choice for most Kratom addictions, it may not fit with each person's schedule and availability. No matter how keen the desire is to quit using the drug, if it is impossible to live full time at a facility, inpatient rehab will not work. This should not be seen as a problem with commitment, rather as an honest acknowledgment of what a person's individual capabilities are.

For situations like this, an outpatient program is likely going to be the best course of action. As its name would indicate, an outpatient program involves many of the same type of therapy options as an inpatient program, without staying overnight at the facility. Depending on the intensity of the outpatient program, participants go to the facility for a certain amount of time each day, and then return home in the afternoon or evening. There are different types of outpatient programs, one of which is usually perfect for each situation.

Standard Outpatient Therapy

With a mild to moderate Kratom addiction, standard outpatient therapy is usually sufficient. These types of programs usually involve a few hours a day of treatment, spaced evenly throughout the week. The different types of therapy can vary, and is usually determined by the initial treatment plan that was developed. As time goes by, these types of therapy are evaluated in terms of effectiveness, and can be adjusted if one appears more effective than others.

Intensive Outpatient Therapy

More serious addictions to Kratom that need an outpatient setting usually require intensive outpatient therapy. This type of therapy is similar to standard treatment, just with much more frequency and attention. Rather than just a few hours a couple days each week, patients usually attend programs several hours a day, many times on all days of the week. This type of treatment is also helpful for those who do not have a support system in place at home that is up to the challenge of assisting with the addiction successfully.

Partial Hospitalization Therapy

The most rigorous and intensive of all types of outpatient programs is partial hospitalization therapy. With partial hospitalization, patients spend the entire day at the program, usually between six and eight hours each day. A day in a partial hospitalization program is very similar in makeup and intensity to an inpatient program. The only real difference is that the patient goes home each evening. Many programs also offer time off on the weekends, so personal and family time does not disappear completely.

Supplemental Outpatient Organizations

While most outpatient Kratom rehab programs handle the lion's share of the treatment needed for most addicts, there are supplemental resources that are also especially helpful. These are free in nature, and almost always involve a group-type setting. While they should not take the place of your standard care, especially in the beginning of your recovery, they do add value to virtually any recovering addicts life.

The most common of these groups and meetings center around a 12-step program. Household names like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have been helping recovering addicts for decades. There are also meetings like these for the loved ones and friends of addicts, such as Al-Anon and Nar Anon.