Kava Withdrawal and Detox

Kava Info

• Kava Addiction and Abuse
• Kava Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Kava Treatment and Rehab
• Kava Withdrawal and Detox

Kava is a naturally occurring herb that has been used for many years in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It has also been used to minimise withdrawal symptoms in individuals detoxing from opiates and other addictive substances. However, in recent times, Kava’s popularity has further increased as people seek the herb for recreational purposes and as a ‘legal high’. The results of Kava being abused at reasonable doses include feelings of happiness and relaxation. The herb can also induce drowsiness.

Currently, there is lack of substantial scientific evidence indicating that regular use of Kava over an extended period of time can lead to addiction, but that doesn’t mean frequently abusing the herb in large doses is a good idea. As with other ‘enjoyable’ substances, Kava can eventually lead to physical or psychological dependence if continually and excessively abused. If dependence takes hold, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to suddenly discontinue consuming the herb.

What Is Kava Withdrawal?

Kava is believed to have originated from the South Pacific region. Also known as Kava-Kava, awa and piper methysticum, the herb has been used by South Pacific native islanders over centuries for medicinal purposes, as well as for religious ceremonies.

The parts of the Kava plant that are typically consumed are the roots and stems of the shrub. Its effects are reported to be psychoactive in nature and not alcoholic. The herb is traditionally used by placing the root and stem in a sack and soaking it in water. The juice from the sack can then be squeezed into a bowl and consumed. The herb is believed to help with relaxation, but without clouding one’s thoughts.

People in the UK and US have begun using Kava recreationally to reduce anxiety, insomnia and stress. Research has even shown that the right dose of Kava could be just as effective as benzodiazepines, but evidence proving this is still limited. There is also slim evidence concerning the addictive nature of Kava, but the herb is generally believed to be non-addictive.

Believing Kava is non-addictive might be misleading, as any enjoyable activity can be addictive. Subsequently, the chances of becoming physically dependent on Kava are quite high, especially considering the sedative and psychoactive effects of the herb on the human body. The danger of abusing Kava to the point of dependence is more pronounced if used alongside alcohol or other substances to enhance its effects.

If you develop dependence to Kava, you’re likely to experience withdrawal, which could be difficult to treat, considering not much research has been carried out in that particular field.

The active components in Kava are referred to as Kavalactones and it’s believed this component is what results in anxiety relief, sedation, and enhancing mood. If you abuse Kava long-term to achieve these results, it could be in your best interest to seek professional help. This is because you may have developed dependence to the herb, whereby trying to suddenly quit can give rise to the following withdrawal symptoms:

Causes of Kava Withdrawal

Kava plays a big role in Polynesian culture, especially concerning social and ceremonial gatherings. The herbal preparation contains the active component known as Kavalactones, which influence the non-opioid pathways in the brain. This results in users experiencing deep relaxation whilst retaining mental alertness.

Withdrawal is caused by your body feeling it cannot function normally without the presence of Kava components in your system. This can occur due to frequent and regular abuse of Kava, which leads your body to believe it cannot function normally without the influence of the substance.

Withdrawal symptoms may continue until your brain is able to revert to the state and level of functioning it was at before you began abusing Kava. A medically assisted detox can help minimise withdrawal symptoms and make undergoing withdrawal much safer and more comfortable.

Depending on the severity and nature of your Kava dependence, you could experience psychological or physical withdrawal symptoms. Psychological withdrawal symptoms may take longer to overcome, but you can make a full recovery, as long as you place yourself under the care of a professional addiction treatment facility.

Phases of Kava Withdrawal

Limited research currently exists about the exact nature of Kava withdrawal, but if you have developed a dependence on the influence of the herb, you can generally expect to experience the following three phases when you attempt to quit:

Early withdrawal phase: for most people, this can occur after a few hours or days after the last Kava intake and may continue for a few days. During this phase, you could experience a rebound of the conditions you were trying to treat with Kava. For example, anxiety, depression, or insomnia symptoms may return.

Acute withdrawal phase: this can begin within a few days of quitting and often involves the manifestation of the worst withdrawal symptoms.

Protracted withdrawal phase: This phase usually only occurs if your abuse of Kava was especially severe, including if you were abusing it alongside other substances, such as alcohol or stimulants.

While there is no set timeframe concerning how long Kava withdrawal lasts, the right medical assistance can help minimise the intensity of symptoms, as well as their duration during detox. Follow up therapy and family support services are especially important in order to achieve a smooth and long-lasting recovery.

Kava Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect

The best way to ensure Kava withdrawal is as painless as possible is to know what to expect and prepare accordingly. From the few recorded cases of Kava withdrawal, the following symptoms have been recognised:

The Nature of Kava Withdrawal

However, too much of any good thing can be bad – and this includes the abuse of Kava. Aside from the risk of developing dependence, abusing Kava long-term can lead to side effects such as headache, liver issues, drowsiness, diarrhoea, depression, and skin problems.

To avoid becoming dependent on Kava and suffering from withdrawal or other side effects, it is best that you avoid the following:

• Kava shouldn’t be used for more than three continuous months
• Kava consumption should never be combined with the use of alcohol or psychotropic medicines, including antidepressants and mood stabilisers

People opt for Kava as an anti-anxiety medication or recreational substance, because they believe being a natural occurring herb, it is safer than synthetic drugs. On some levels, this is true, but the abuse of Kava isn’t absolutely risk-free. Kava increases GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid), a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. A constant influence on the natural production of GABA can eventually lead to development of dependence and manifestation of withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop using Kava. That said, there needs to be more research carried out before the safety claim of Kava can be fully verified.

If you develop Kava dependence and experience withdrawal when you try to quit, a supervised medical detoxification can be undertaken to ease withdrawal. During detox, medical professionals will assess the amount of Kava (or other substances being abused alongside it) in your bloodstream. Once a comprehensive understanding of your condition has been established, medication and other interventions can be provided.

What is Kava Detoxification?

In this case, detoxification is the natural process of your body ridding itself of all traces of Kava after an extended period of abuse. This process usually begins after the last traces of Kava have left your system, and is followed by withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable in nature. To help make the detoxification process more successful and to ease withdrawal symptoms, a medically assisted detox could be provided. This will utilise medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and speed up the detox process. It is a far safer and more effective method via which to undergo a Kava detoxification.

The duration of Kava detoxification is dependent on a variety of factors, including your physiology, severity of addiction, and whether you were mixing Kava with other substances.

Kava Detox Process

It’s recommended that detox be carried out under the supervision of a certified medical professional with actual experience dealing with Kava withdrawal. This way, you can avoid any complications brought on by an ill-managed detox.

Usually, the tapering method is applied to help addicts safely and effectively negotiate the detox process. The tapering programme involves gradually decreasing your Kava dose over a period of time. This will give the body ample opportunity to acclimatise to the absence of Kava in your system. It is also safer and greatly minimises the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, thus allowing you to gradually withdraw from Kava and regain your physical and mental health.

Once you’re Kava-free thanks to detox, treatment can be moved to a formal rehab facility, where the root of your dependence issues can be managed. An individualised programme that utilises individual and/or group therapy – as well as life-skills training and other interventions – can be used to your benefit to ensure a full recovery. Intensive outpatient programming thereafter can help reinforce what you learned during treatment.

Home Detox

Certain people prefer detoxing ‘cold turkey’ at home, though this is strongly advised against, as such an approach poses a variety of dangers. If improperly cared for, Kava withdrawal symptoms can lead to health complications. If detoxing at home, you won’t have access to immediate medical help and may not be properly prepared for any withdrawal symptoms that could arise. Furthermore, detoxing at home greatly increases your chances of suffering a relapse, as you’ll still have easy access to substances of abuse.

For best results, an inpatient treatment centre is ideal. In such an environment, you’ll have access to 24/7 medical care from professionals and will be protected from triggers and stressors that could cause you to abuse Kava. Also, your condition will be monitored round-the-clock and medical assistance provided as needed to reduce health risks and dangers brought on by withdrawal.

Why Detoxification at Home can be Harmful

Specific reasons why detoxing from Kava at home could be harmful include:

• Inconsistency of symptoms: Withdrawal symptoms can unpredictably fluctuate, leaving you overwhelmed and vulnerable to various health dangers.
• Re-emergence of anxiety, insomnia, depression or other symptoms that you were treating with Kava can drive you relapse in order to stave off symptoms.
• Self-medication during withdrawal can do more harm than good, as you might end up abusing other drugs and substances in an unhealthy manner.
• Risk of relapse is greatly increased during a home detox, as there’s no one to stop you from indulging your cravings.

To arrange for proper treatment of Kava abuse, addiction and dependence, contact a confidential helpline today.

Medically Supervised Kava Withdrawal Detox

In order to achieve long-lasting recovery, a doctor’s supervision is recommended to safety undergo Kava withdrawal. This can be provided at an inpatient addiction treatment facility, where you’ll have access to round-the-clock care, as well as medication to help alleviate your symptoms. Medical supervision can also be provided through an outpatient programme, but to a lesser extent than inpatient care.

Medication can be provided in instances where withdrawal symptoms are deemed to be severe. There is a range of medication available for the treatment of specific symptoms during Kava detox, as well as to speed up the process. While said medication cannot completely eliminate withdrawal symptoms, it can definitely render them far milder.

Medications Used During Kava Detox

Due to the lack of comprehensive research into Kava addiction, there is no clear schedule of medical treatment or medication recommended for detox. However, there are a variety of over the counter medications that can be used to minimise Kava withdrawal. Seek the advice of a medical physician before attempting to undertake a Kava detox using over the counter medication.

Treatment for Withdrawal

A professionally administered medical detox is the best way to manage Kava withdrawal symptoms and ensure you recover safely from addiction. However, detox is only the first step in making a full recovery, as this only treats the physical aspect of your addiction. If you want to make a complete recovery and achieve long-term abstinence, it’s best to go through rehab.

Withdrawing from Kava: Treatment Methods and Options

There are a variety of options and settings available for the treatment of Kava withdrawal. Each offers a different level of care and possesses its own unique benefits. What determines the sort of treatment that will work best for you is the severity of your addiction and withdrawal symptoms, as well as what you can afford. Other factors that may determine what form of care is right for you are:

• Presence of co-occurring disorders
• Availability of support system

Depending on your condition, treatment can be provided via any of the following methods:

• Detox centres: These are establishments that are specifically designed for the purpose of helping people safely come through the withdrawal. Such facilities rarely provide treatment beyond the detox phase, which means drug rehabilitation will need to be sought elsewhere.
• Outpatient: Such facilities allow patients to come from home to receive treatment at scheduled dates and times. Treatment each day can last for an hour or more, depending on the severity of addiction. Outpatient centres can be further categorised into Partial hospitalisation programmes (PHP), and Intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Care provided in PHP is generally the most intensive of all outpatient programmes.
• Inpatient/residential centres: Inpatient/residential facilities are characterised by the availability of both housing and treatment. This is because treatment is provided solely within the facility and patients are not allowed to leave until the programme is complete. Treatment involves round-the-clock care and medical attention being provided whenever needed. Medical care is often intensive and structured. The duration of treatment is dependent on the severity of addiction. Inpatient treatment can be further classified into standard, executive, and luxury centres. Luxury and executive inpatient centres offer pampering and luxuries such as gourmet meals and spa treatments to ensure patients’ comfort.

Regardless the type of programme you opt for, it will begin with an assessment, followed by detoxification. Once detox is complete, addiction rehabilitation treatment can begin; this often consists of individual or group therapy, relapse prevention training, and addiction education.

Guided Kava therapy

Specialised treatment and therapy may be provided for unique circumstances, especially in instances where the recovering addict has a co-occurring disorder. Depending on the unique circumstances of your condition, the following specialised treatment and therapy options may be prescribed:

Live a Drug-Free Life Again

The path to abstinence and good health is just ahead of you. To get on that path today, call a confidential addiction helpline. Addiction doesn’t have to be a lifetime sentence, and you can get treatment that’s right for you with the least possible hassle. A variety of addiction treatment centres (within and outside of the UK) are at your disposal and you can receive treatment at a price that’s within your budget.

Remember that the sooner you get treatment, the better for you and your loved ones.

Tips for Handling Cravings

Cravings during addiction recovery are much easier if you keep yourself busy with hobbies and other activities. This will keep your mind from dwelling excessively on cravings and using drugs. Another important tip is to stay away from activities and individuals that typically drive you to abuse Kava. Support groups (such as your family or 12 step programmes) can also help you stay focused on abstinence, as well as combating the temptation of cravings.

Find a treatment centre

Depending on the severity of your addiction (or your preference), you can opt for either an outpatient or inpatient Kava treatment programme to treat your addiction and care for your withdrawal symptoms. Before settling on a specific addiction clinic for addiction recovery, be sure to verify the treatment centre’s success rate with other patients. This way, you can get treatment at a clinic with the best facilities and the capability to offer the most convenience, as well as keep you happy throughout the duration of treatment.

FAQs

Can I Find Help?

Yes, Kava addiction specialists can provide all the treatment and support you need to make a full recovery during Kava withdrawal. Treatment at the hands of such professionals will ensure you stay as comfortable as possible for the duration of your recovery process.

If you or a loved one have been abusing Kava, get help today by visiting a rehab centre. Alternatively, call a confidential helpline for professional guidance on what your options are for withdrawal and detox treatment.