Addiction is a chemical dependency on a certain drug. An addict is someone whose body has developed a physical and/or psychological tolerance to drugs. He cannot survive without the presence of that specific drug in their system.

Everyone can be affected by addiction, no matter what their background is. No one is immune to addiction, regardless of age, race, gender, or social status.

Addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is a primary, chronic illness of brain reward, motivation, memory, and associated circuits. In other words, addiction manifests as a result of changes in the brain that occur due to drug abuse.

Addiction is not simply a social problem or a criminal issue. It is a medical problem that must be treated as such.

Symptoms of Drug Addiction

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has outlined nine symptoms that can help determine whether or not someone is suffering from addiction. These are the following:

• The craving for drugs
• Drug-seeking behavior to obtain drugs
• Loss of control in limiting the intake of drugs
• Impaired ability to stop using drugs once started
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining the substance, using it, and recovering from its effects
• Giving up important activities because of drug abuse
• Continuing to use drugs even though there is evidence that they are damaging physical health or mental health
• Frequently engaging in drug-taking despite negative consequences (tolerance and withdrawal)

The last two symptoms (tolerance and withdrawal) are the most common indicators of addiction. 

Tolerance is when the addict needs to take more and more of a substance to achieve the desired effects, which implies that the brain has become accustomed to its presence and requires higher levels to maintain normal function.

Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s reaction to the sudden absence and can be very unpleasant. They can range from mild discomfort to full-blown seizures and even death.

So now that we know what drug addiction is, let’s look at what happens in the addict’s mind after they’ve recovered.

The Battle between the Conscious and Unconscious

Drug addicts are constantly fighting a battle between their conscious and unconscious minds. The conscious mind is the part of the brain that controls decision-making and rational thinking. The unconscious mind is in charge of impulses, emotions, and desires.

When an addict is using drugs, the unconscious mind is in control. The conscious part of the brain is essentially put to sleep by the mind-altering effects of drugs. As a result, addicts become submissive to their compulsions and will continue to seek more drugs regardless of the consequences.

The desire for drugs can be so strong that addicts’ primary care comes secondary, even when it endangers their lives.

Once an addict has successfully defeated their addiction, however, the conscious part of the brain becomes more potent than ever before. The will to get better eventually becomes more significant than the desire for drugs, which is why addicts can quit using once and for all. 

This does not mean that addicts are no longer affected by their unconscious minds. The impulses, desires, and emotions are still there. However, addicts now can control them and make rational decisions instead of being handled by them.

In short, drug addiction is a mental disorder that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is a medical problem that must be treated as such. Addicts are not simply morally flawed people who should be scorned for their actions. They are not criminals. They are sick patients in need of treatment and understanding, just like anyone else dealing with a medical issue.

Recovery

It takes time and effort to overcome an addiction. It involves dealing with the physical addiction to drugs, adjusting to life without them, and learning to better deal with stress and hardship.

Here are some things that addicts can do to increase their chances of recovery:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

It helps patients understand what caused their addiction and teaches them new ways of thinking and behaving to avoid relapse.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) 

This focuses on the patient’s desire to change their behavior and helps them find internal motivation.

Contingency Management (CM)

Patients receive rewards for staying sober, such as gift cards, vouchers, or cash.

Family Therapy

This helps addicts and their families better understand the disease of addiction and how to best support the addict’s recovery.

Support Groups

These provide a safe place for addicts to share their experiences and receive support from others going through the same thing.

Inpatient Treatment Centers

Addicts are given a place to live where others surround them in recovery. Inside these drug addiction treatment centres they can focus on getting better without outside distractions, which can cause relapse.

These are a few typical methods that addicts cope with their addictions and attempt to rehabilitate. No one way works best for everyone, so it is essential to find what works best for you and stick with it. 

We must understand addiction if we want to help those suffering from it. Recovery is not an easy process, but it can be done. All addicts need is support and understanding, which they deserve more than anything else.

Relapse

Relapse is the act of falling back into old habits, especially addiction. Although many addicts can stay sober for long periods after they quit using drugs, there is always a chance that they can relapse at any moment.

There are many reasons why this happens:

Lack of coping skills

Once an addict quits using drugs, they no longer can cope with stress and hardship in the same way they did when they were using. This can lead to a relapse if they cannot find other ways to cope.

Environmental triggers

These things in the environment can remind an addict of drugs and cause them to want to use again.

Psychological factors

Such as stress, anxiety, boredom, and loneliness can all lead to a relapse.

It is crucial for addicts to be aware of these triggers and do their best to avoid them. If they cannot prevent them, they need to have a plan in place for how to deal with them if they start to feel the urge to use them again.

Relapse can be scary for many addicts, but it does not mean that their recovery was for nothing. One relapse does not necessarily lead to another or indicate that you will never be able to quit using drugs. What matters is you must keep trying and do what you need to stay calm.

Relapse prevention plan

This document contains a list of things that an addict can do to avoid relapse. It includes avoiding triggers, staying connected to support groups and therapy, and managing stress and anxiety.

Addicts need to regularly review their relapse prevention plan and make changes as required. This way, it can be adapted to any situation.

Conclusion

Addiction does not define you; you define addiction. It is important to remember that you are an addict no matter what happens, but it does not have to control your life. You can restart your life again by quitting using drugs and getting involved in support groups or therapy. You might encounter some setbacks along the way, but don’t let these define you either – continue on the path you already traveled.

Everyone’s path to recovery is different, so whatever method you choose to deal with your addiction is the right one for you. Remember that no decision is permanent, and you can always change your mind and try something else if what you’re currently doing isn’t working out. 

There are many ways to recover from addiction, but they all require hard work and dedication. Don’t give up – you can do it!

In the United States, people who look for kratom products, usually look for reliable suppliers first. These search patterns are because the FDA does not recognize kratom as a medicine. It hasn’t been able to penetrate the regular medicine and supplement industry.

A right supplier provide quality kratom packed and sealed in a bag to reach you fresh and potent. The quality of your supplier is evident in the kratom packing they use!

What Is In The Bag Of Kratom?

Kratom is a tree that grows in the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the small islands in the region.

The leaves of these trees cultivated, washed, dried, and exported to the various kratom processing facilities in the United States.

The kratom leaves then converted to powder for capsules, tablets, or to be used as powder only. Many manufacturers use it for extraction to produce resin or liquid kratom products.

This botanical substance can alleviate pain and improve quality of life as it has alkaloids that react with receptors in the brain and work to improve organ functions.

When you use kratom, it is essential to consume it fresh so that the alkaloids remain active, and you feel the difference.

The AKA GMP Qualification

The dietary supplements containing kratom have to be packaged in compliance with standards to ensure the integrity and safety of the organic substance.

According to the FDA standards, every supplement manufacturer must follow the code of manufacturing and packaging so that the final product is labeled, tested, and packaged for user benefits.

The American Kratom Association supports the same Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) as the FDA, so all kratom products available in the market are fresh, potent, and useful.

Every manufacturing unit has to be audited by an independent third party to ensure proper compliance with the AKA GMP standards.

The manufacturers that qualify these standards are the vendors all users must turn to for their kratom supply.

Each type of product has to be packed in a way to restore its freshness. Powder kratom can have a different packing, while liquid kratom extract will require a different packing.

The manufacturer or supplier must ensure that the safest seal is used to maintain product quality. This is one of the factors that determine the quality of your purchase.

The AKA has also issued a list of vendors who follow the AKA GMP standards for production, labeling, advertising, and packaging kratom to avoid any misinformation and false claims while delivering quality kratom to customers.

What Is The Right Type Of Kratom Packaging?

Honest and straightforward labeling and kratom packaging are crucial for the manufacturers, so they stay in compliance with the GMP standards set by the AKA.

The AKA formulated these standards on the lines of CBD and hemp products packaging guidelines.

Since the FDA does not consider kratom a medicine and does not regulate the products, following the cannabis industry outlines is a convenient and safe way for manufacturers to deliver the most potent and strong kratom supplements.

Some features of kratom packaging to be followed are:

• Must be tamper-free
• Child-proof
• Vacuum packed and sealed
• Packets that are not single-use must be in resealable CRP packaging
• Shrink bands and seals must be used
• Edibles have to be sold in opaque packaging
• Light resistant packaging to avoid exposure to light and heat

Other than these features, kratom packaging must mention the batch number and production date to keep the consumer informed about the age of the particular supplement.

Each kratom product has to comply with the Child Resistant Packaging (CRP) outlines also.

Manufacturers must demonstrate due diligence in passing all the testing requirements, which includes packaging to ensure that the supplement cannot be used by minors and will not pose any danger to them.

Powder Kratom Packing

Kratom powders and capsules are the common edible forms of the organic supplement, and manufacturers must follow the GMP outlines for edible products to ensure a safe and secure kratom powder bag to consumers. The Kratom powder is sold in packs or containers that are opaque and vacuum sealed.

Since the volume of the kratom powder bag may vary, the bags used for packing may be layered with silver foil to add strength and resistance to environmental factors such as moisture, heat, and light. The bags are supposed to have a reseal-able CRP packaging since they are reusable.

The kratom powder bags must be opaque so that external factors are avoided to the maximum. Heat, light, and moisture can hamper the effects of kratom significantly.

Manufacturers have to ensure that the powder remains free from all these factors, and the alkaloids in the botanical substance do not become less active or productive.

Vaporizer and Extract Packing

Design innovation and branding can benefit significantly through proper compliance of vape and extract packaging solutions.

Luxury packing or pure bottling, whichever path the manufacturers follow, ensure experiential packaging.

Experiential packaging is the method of using technology to maximize the experience of a consumer by offering freshness and potency of the supplement in the pack of kratom.

Bottles with double seals and spill-free tight caps are an essential feature of packaging guidelines for vapes and extracts.

The extract container must have an air-tight seal and childproof. This way, your kratom extract remains suitable for use without the danger of a minor consuming it.

Capsule and Tablet Packing

Accidental ingestion by children and exposure of kratom capsules to heat, water, or air are factors that determine the outline for capsule and tablet packaging.

Manufacturers use a double seal and a locking cap to ensure that the pills remain fresh and useful till the last day!

These guidelines must be followed and are what discriminates between ethical consumerism and everyday selling policies.

The benefits of vacuum-sealed bottles include an excellent effect from the supplement while knowing that the leftover capsules or tablets will not lose their efficacy over time.

Sealed and Packaged Kratom vs. Kratom From Jars In Smoke Shops

The kratom products from smoke shops or weed shops are not recommended since the source, processing methods, and even packing are not known.

Weed shops or smoke shops do not guarantee the origin, processing, or packaging of kratom products.

They merely keep stock from any supplier selling at a lower price so that they can earn profits from buyers who come to the shop.

If you visited a smoke shop, you would see jars of kratom powder or vapes lying without packing.

This lack of packaging may result in contamination, reduction in efficacy, and kratom becoming stale.

The online shops and proper manufacturers/suppliers import their stock of kratom and process it under the supervision of experts to produce potent, reliable, safe, and effective kratom products.

The packaging, sealing, and storing of kratom products are also thoroughly checked as all manufacturers comply with the AKA GMP standards.

The Cannabis Packing and How Kratom Products Affected

The cannabis industry is very advanced, and the FDA GMP and CRP rules are thoroughly followed to ensure proper labeling and sealing to provide a fresh and effective product to consumers.

The CBD, cannabis, hemp, and marijuana products are regulated and have significantly grown in terms of production as well as sales during recent years.

The wide range of products in the United States market is a result of the checks and tests that ensure quality supplements. The CBD industry follows the labeling and packaging standards to ensure:

• GMP Standards compliance
• Child Resistant Packaging (CRP)
• Efficacy and freshness are intact
• Labeling to educate users
• Avoiding misleading statements or claiming effects that may vary with individuals

The Cannabis packaging is vacuum packing and locks caps for bottles to keep the natural substance effective and potent. The kratom industry has adopted the same practices.

The FDA does not regulate kratom, but the sector remains subservient to the various standards, rules, and practices that make every medicinal and organic supplement worth using.

Packaging of all organic supplements is an essential part of the process through which consumers can feel the difference in their health.

If any medicine or natural supplement is not packaged correctly, it is exposed to risks. These risks include such as contamination, the formation of mold or fungus, moisture, and inactive alkaloids and terpenes. In turn, the lack of these alkaloids and terpenes will not bring about any positive change in the body.

Ever since in 2016, DEA recommended the ban on Kratom on a national level; Kratom has been the talk of the town. The debate on Kratom legality has been an ongoing debate with frequent clashes with federal authorities and Kratom supporters.

Although DEA’s decision to ban Kratom was reversed due to the massive public reaction, we still see every now and then some news popping up regarding Kratom ban in one state or another.

Several verdicts have been passed concerning Kratom usage in many states, and some are still going through with the legal process. Recently, Ohio also went through a similar situation -where the Kratom ban is still looming like the worst threat over the citizens.

Currently, Kratom is entirely legal for use in the US, except for a few cities and states where Kratom is either banned or can be used in only natural form with some restrictions.

The US states and cities, where this drug is illegal are Alabama, Tennessee, Vermont, Indiana, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Washington DC, Wisconsin, and Columbia.

Let’s have a more in-depth look at the real story of the suggested Kratom ban by DEA and find out what’s going on.

DEA’s Attempt To Ban Kratom In 2016

2016 is considered an essential year in Kratom history, as this beneficial botanical was on the verge of being banned in the US.

Kratom, also known as Mitragina Speciosa, is a medicinal plant that has been used by farmers, labourers, and now patients suffering from chronic ailments, as an analgesic and fatigue reliever.

According to a report, as much as 16 million people are using Kratom in America, at the moment.

Most of these people claim this drug to be the most effective treatment for pain alleviation in chronic diseases like fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many others. Moreover, Kratom is also widely used to overcome opioid addiction.

However, federal authorities seemed to neglect all of these important facts when they pushed to list Kratom as a Schedule 1 drug in the controlled substances a few years back.

It is essential to know that Schedule 1 substances are considered the most dangerous drugs with absolutely no medical use and a high potential of abuse like Heroine, LSD, and Cocaine.

On August 31, 2016, DEA even placed a temporary ban on Kratom and prohibited its use for medicinal purposes. The ban involved two of the main components of Kratom named mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.

Despite Kratom having been a relatively unpopular drug at the time, the huge outrange from the Kratom community surprised DEA.

Furthermore, American Kratom Association, a non-profit organization founded in 2014, was also able to raise $400,000 that was quite impressive.

A spokesperson of DEA, Melvin Patterson, called the public response quite overwhelming and “an eye-opening experience personally”. He justified the association’s action by saying that DEA has heard the public and they will do their best to make the drug available to them.

DEA at first only pushed the date back from September 30 to December 1 to make Kratom prohibited permanently and a public comment period was opened.

Fortunately, now the ban has been delayed indefinitely. It, however, doesn’t mean that Kratom ban still can’t be made illegal.

According to Business Insider, “a ruling is imminent” on the legality of Kratom, as researchers of DEA are still studying the two alkaloids present in the drug.

Reasons For DEA To Push For The Kratom Ban

The main reason DEA pushed for the urgent and sudden Kratom ban was the reported deaths caused by the drug.

DEA recorded 15 deaths that somehow were related to Kratom consumption from 2014-2016.

Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also claimed that there was an increase of Kratom related poison exposure cases from 26 in 2010 to 263 in 2015, which is a massive increase in numbers.

Moreover, DEA wrote to the FDA for a review on Kratom and no approved drug applications were found. It prompted DEA to ban this beneficial botanical temporarily “to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety“. DEA also called Kratom unsafe due to its opioid-like effects.

Further, its unknown reaction with other substances and false labelled marketing were also strong motivators behind the temporary ban.

DEA has also listed many side effects in the federal register, ranging from mild reactions like tachycardia and poor concentration to the severe cases of death.

Another critical factor that contributed to this legislation change was that Kratom had not been studied enough. In their own words,

“Unknown factors, including detailed product analysis and dosage variations between various packages, present a significant danger to an abusing individual.”

Though, we are lost to the benefit of this ban because the ban will only make it harder to conduct any research that might be able to demonstrate any positive medical benefits of Kratom.

DEA Lists Kratom As A “Drug Of Concern.”

DEA has listed Kratom as a “drug of concern” for several years. The association describes the term “drug of concern” as those substances that are not currently controlled by the Controlled Substances Act, but they can still prove to be dangerous to people abusing them.

People consider it safe as it is only a herbal supplement, which is an entirely wrong perception. FDA has not yet approved Kratom for any medicinal use.

However, they haven’t studied the plant also. Until and unless more research is conducted on the drug usage, mechanism of action, and drug reactions, the chances are that Kratom will remain under the same category for the foreseeable time.

Role Of FDA Concerning Kratom Ban

FDA has gone all out to regulate Kratom. They have been issuing a warning against Kratom usage for a long time. From disapproving its use for medicinal purposes to cracking down on sellers for marketing Kratom, FDA is doing everything in its authority to outlaw Kratom.

The previous FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, has been particularly resolute on influencing the enactment relating to Kratom.

In a press release of November 2017, he said, “Evidence shows that kratom has similar effects to narcotics like opioids, and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction, and in some cases, death.”

He has further said that the impurity of the botanical can also pose dangers to the users. As the Kratom has been reported to be placed with opioids like hydrocortisone.

This can not only cause dependence but also cause severe side effects like liver damage, seizures, and withdrawal symptoms.

FDA has also wholly denied the role of Kratom as the therapy of opioid addiction. Even though they have displayed a willingness to accept the evidence that can demonstrate medicinal use of Kratom, there haven’t been any particularly acceptable submission been made yet to them.

Scott Gottlieb has, again and again, cautioned others against the usage of this drug. In a tweet posted in August 2018, he wrote,

“There are no proven uses for Kratom and FDA strongly discourages the public from consuming it. Kratom is an opioid, and it’s an inherently addictive product that can cause harm, which is reason enough not to consume it, but also may make users sick.”

Scott Gottlieb’s resignation in April 2019 seemed like good news and a huge reprieve for Kratom supporters. Howbeit, in June 2018 there were again some cracks down on Kratom by FDA.

The association has issued warning letters to Kratom vendors for illegally marketing and trading unapproved, misbranded kratom-containing products with false claims about their use to treat or cure opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

Recently, a salmonella breakout was also thought to be associated with Kratom usage that killed 200 people in 41 states.

What Kratom Advocates Have To Say About DEA And FDA’s Concerns?

Kratom advocates have a lot to say against Kratom ban. They consider all the concerns presented by the FDA and DEA as nonsensical and baseless, which is not far from the truth.

One of the main reasons for DEA pushing the Kratom ban in 2016 was the deaths associated with this drug consumption. However, it is demonstrated and explained at more than one occasions that several other drugs were also found in the blood of the casualties.

It means that the cause of death can be any of the drugs. Further, Kratom is used as a treatment of opioid addiction, and the presence of Kratom in the blood can also mean that it was taken as a therapy.

Marc Swogger, a psychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Centre, has said in an interview last year that “we just don’t know what caused the Kratom-related deaths”.

In his paper, he also explained that in the cases of Kratom-related deaths, fatal doses of other drugs were also found.

Additionally, the users were also alcohol or heroin addicts -which can also contribute to the end. According to Swogger, “The research indicates that this is a pretty mild substance and criminalizing its use is insane to me.”

Kratom is also often compared with opioids as they both act on similar neuron receptors, but their mechanism of actions are quite different. Moreover, Kratom is less harmful and addictive than opioids.

Furthermore, unlike opioids, it also doesn’t cause lethal adverse effects like respiratory depression that may lead to death.

According to Christopher R. McCurdy, PhD, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida admitted that Kratom can be addictive but he also compared the addictive index of Kratom with coffee. It isn’t surprising, as the Kratom is basically a plant and belongs to the coffee family itself.

His research on rats has also demonstrated that Kratom can be used for opioid withdrawal also. Patients using Kratom for this purpose are observed to be suffering from minimal withdrawal symptoms.

Ending Note

It can be said without a doubt that recreational use of Kratom has been increased all over the US for sure.

People are getting hugely fond of the drug for its various beneficial characteristics of pain and fatigue relief, anti-depression and anxiety and treatment for drug dependency.

Absence and lack of any Kratom regulatory laws have also contributed to the fact that vendors can easily import drugs and sell it in shops or online quickly.

DEA should work on regulating this botanical properly, rather than banning the drug outright.

This beneficial botanical is changing lives all over America and making it illegal can be a significant grievance for many Kratom users.