Suffolk County’s ‘Legal High’ Kratom Crisis: A Growing Challenge for Mental Health Treatment Centers
What started as an accessible “natural” alternative sold in gas stations and convenience stores has evolved into a significant public health concern across Suffolk County. Kratom, scientifically known as mitragyna speciosa, has been increasingly used to obtain a “legal high” and affects the brain like an opiate, becoming highly addictive. This emerging crisis is forcing addiction treatment centers to adapt their approaches to address a substance that many consumers believe is safe simply because it’s legal.
The Suffolk County Kratom Crisis Unfolds
In 2016, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a measure, authored by Legislator Steve Stern of Dix Hills, and signed into law by the county executive, banning the sale of kratom in Suffolk to anyone under 21. This proactive stance made Suffolk County a leader in kratom regulation, but the problem has only intensified since then.
The sale of kratom is now “ubiquitous” throughout the county, with approximately 0.7 to 0.8 percent of U.S. adolescents and adults reported using kratom in the past year, translating to roughly two million Americans, including tens of thousands of New Yorkers. The accessibility of this substance has created a deceptive sense of safety among users who assume legal means harmless.
The most concerning development involves enhanced kratom products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound that is 13 times more potent than morphine. “Enhanced” or “spiked” kratom products may appear to be natural leaf, but actually contain as much as 500% more 7-OH than would be expected naturally. This has led to severe withdrawal symptoms that mirror those of traditional opioids, catching both users and treatment centers off guard.
New Challenges for Addiction Treatment Centers
The kratom crisis presents unique challenges for mental health professionals and addiction treatment centers. Many users are former opioid users who believed kratom was a safe, legal alternative because it was sold in gas stations and vape shops. When New York and Suffolk County tightened regulations, dependence forced users to seek treatment or resort to extreme measures to maintain the habit.
One of the most challenging aspects of overcoming kratom addiction is dealing with withdrawal. Although kratom is often marketed as a “natural” alternative, the withdrawal symptoms can be just as difficult as those associated with opioids. Treatment centers are reporting withdrawal symptoms that include anxiety and agitation, tremors, uncontrolled limb movements, or muscle spasms, watery eyes or runny nose, and insomnia, sedation, and fatigue.
Unlike traditional substance abuse cases, kratom users often enter treatment believing they were using a harmless herbal supplement. This misconception requires treatment centers to first educate clients about the true nature of their addiction before beginning the recovery process. The MAT approach involves gradually tapering kratom from the body with FDA-approved medications. Since withdrawal is often one of the reasons people slip back into addiction, MAT can help relieve those symptoms, and better prepare patients for the recovery process.
Treatment Approaches and Success Stories
Fortunately, established treatment methods are showing promise in addressing kratom addiction. Recent case studies describe successful kratom detoxification using buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) and buprenorphine-only (Subutex®) tapers. A 2023 report showed complete remission after a six-month taper.
Treatment centers are finding that treating kratom addiction is similar to other substance use disorder treatment programs. Whether choosing an inpatient or outpatient program, both types of care are designed to help patients stay sober and improve their quality of life. The key components include comprehensive evaluation, medically supervised detox, behavioral therapy, and ongoing support.
The Role of Professional Counseling Services
As Suffolk County grapples with this crisis, the need for specialized addiction counseling has never been greater. Professional treatment centers like Dynamic Counseling LCSW are adapting their services to address the unique challenges posed by kratom addiction. Their goal is to support individuals, couples, and families through their unique mental health journeys. Their practice in Suffolk County, NY, is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment.
For individuals struggling with kratom dependency, seeking Substance Abuse Counseling in Suffolk County, NY has become crucial for recovery. Professional counselors address a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression treatment to specialized therapy for trauma, PTSD, and mood disorders. Experienced therapists guide clients toward healing and personal growth.
Dynamic Counseling LCSW’s team is deeply committed to offering personalized, effective therapy services in Suffolk County, NY. With a holistic approach to mental wellness, they prioritize creating a therapeutic partnership with clients, ensuring a pathway to healing that respects individual needs and goals.
Looking Forward: Prevention and Education
The kratom crisis in Suffolk County highlights the importance of both prevention and treatment. While several local jurisdictions, including Suffolk County, have implemented their own bans or restrictions, kratom has remained widely available statewide. This accessibility continues to fuel new cases of addiction, particularly among young people who are unaware of the risks.
Poison control centers across the country have reported a 52% increase in kratom exposure calls between 2011 and 2017, with over 32% of those calls involving serious medical outcomes. From 2016 to 2017 alone, the CDC confirmed 91 deaths where kratom was identified as the primary cause.
The ongoing legislative efforts, including recent bills passed by the New York State Legislature to ban kratom sales to those under 21 and require warning labels, represent important steps forward. However, the crisis underscores the critical need for comprehensive addiction treatment services that can adapt to emerging substances and their unique challenges.
As Suffolk County continues to confront this crisis, the collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, and specialized treatment centers will be essential in addressing both the immediate needs of those struggling with kratom addiction and the broader public health implications of this “legal high” epidemic.