Key Takeaways
- Long-term kratom use can cause liver damage, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances.
- Early signs of liver trouble from kratom include fatigue, yellow skin, dark urine, and abdominal pain.
- San Diego Wellness Center offers safe detox and addiction treatment to support liver health and recovery from kratom use.
How Kratom Affects Your Liver
Kratom has become more common across the U.S. Many people now use it to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, or manage opioid withdrawal. Because it’s marketed as natural, it’s easy to think it’s harmless. But kratom can seriously affect your liver. At San Diego Wellness Center, we see people who started using it casually. Many later face serious health problems, including signs of liver damage. If you’re concerned about your own kratom use or someone you care about, you’re not alone, we’re here to support you.
What is Kratom?
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It contains compounds that act on the brain’s opioid receptors. These compounds can produce either stimulant or sedative effects, depending on the dose.
It’s often sold as:
- Powders
- Capsules
- Teas
- Extracts
Some people use it to manage chronic pain or reduce opioid cravings. But unlike FDA-approved treatments, kratom is not regulated, and its long-term health impacts are not fully understood.
Does Kratom Have Any Long-Term Side Effects?
Yes. While short-term use may cause nausea or dizziness, long-term kratom use can lead to:
- Liver damage
- Hormonal changes
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Cognitive impairments
- Dependency and withdrawal symptoms
In many cases, users don’t realize the extent of the damage until symptoms become severe. Because it interacts with the same receptors as opioids, kratom can be both physically and psychologically addictive.
Kratom and Liver Damage: What You Should Know
The liver processes nearly everything you put in your body. Kratom’s active compounds must be broken down in the liver. Repeated or heavy use can lead to liver toxicity.
Signs of liver damage from kratom may include:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Itching
These symptoms can show up just weeks after someone starts using kratom, especially if they’re taking high doses. Even small or occasional use can become dangerous when mixed with other substances like alcohol or prescription medications.
What Drugs Cause the Most Liver Damage?
The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. It’s responsible for filtering out toxins from everything you eat, drink, or take. Because of this, it’s especially vulnerable to damage from many types of drugs and harmful substances. The most common culprits include:
- Alcohol
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in high doses
- Prescription opioids
- Anabolic steroids
- Methamphetamine
- Kratom, especially with long-term use
While alcohol remains the most well-known cause of liver disease, drugs like kratom are emerging as hidden threats. Unlike regulated medications, kratom products vary in potency and purity, adding to the risk.
Is Kratom and Kava Bad for the Liver?
Yes, both kratom and kava have been linked to liver toxicity. Though marketed as herbal alternatives, both can cause serious harm when used regularly or in combination with other drugs.
Kava is traditionally used for relaxation, and like kratom, it affects neurotransmitters in the brain. When either of these substances is metabolized, the liver bears the brunt of the stress.
If you’ve used either and feel tired, have yellow skin, or feel sick to your stomach, don’t ignore it. These signs may mean something is wrong. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider right away.
How Do I Tell if My Liver is Damaged?
Early signs of liver trouble can sneak up on you. You might feel tired more often, have changes in your skin or stomach, or just not feel like yourself. These symptoms are easy to miss, but noticing them early could make a big difference and help stop serious damage before it starts. Watch for:
- Chronic fatigue
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Swelling in legs or abdomen
- Mental confusion
If you’ve been using kratom and notice yellow skin, dark urine, or extreme tiredness, take those signs seriously. They could mean your liver is struggling. It’s not something to brush off or try to fix on your own. Talk to a doctor and let San Diego Wellness Center help you get the care you need with safe detox and support.
Can the Liver Heal Itself?
Yes, the liver is a resilient organ. It can repair mild to moderate damage if the harmful substance is removed and you get proper support. However, repeated exposure to toxins like kratom can damage the liver over time. This can lead to chronic conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver failure.
That’s why getting help for substance abuse sooner rather than later can make a big difference. When you stop using early, your body has a better chance to heal and bounce back. Delaying treatment not only increases the risk of permanent liver damage but can also make recovery harder. Acting now can mean a safer, healthier future.
What Is the Best Drink to Flush Your Liver?
While no single drink can reverse damage, staying hydrated and supporting liver function can help. Some commonly recommended options include:
- Water with lemon
- Green tea
- Beet juice
- Coffee (in moderation)
However, none of these are a substitute for stopping drug abuse. If you’re using kratom, your first step should be professional addiction treatment, not a DIY detox method.
At San Diego Wellness Center, we offer medically supervised detox services. These services support liver health and help ease symptoms of withdrawal.
Addiction Treatment for Kratom Users
Because kratom addiction is less known than opioids or meth, many people delay getting help. But dependency is real, and withdrawal symptoms can be intense.
We see clients with:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Depression or anxiety
Our residential treatment program helps you quit safely. You’ll have 24/7 medical support, mental health services, and caring professionals who truly listen.
At San Diego Wellness Center, you’ll find:
- Private, peaceful rooms
- A spacious swimming pool
- Gourmet meals made by an on-site chef
- Entertainment rooms for gaming and movies
- Guided hiking excursions
- Access to fitness and wellness activities
We partner with trusted local programs for PHP and IOP when you’re ready to step down to more flexible care.
Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis Support
Many people who use kratom are trying to cope with mental health conditions like anxiety, PTSD, or depression. We offer dual diagnosis treatment to address both the substance use and the underlying emotional pain.
Our mental health services include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication support
- Holistic therapies
- Trauma-informed care
Recovery is about more than quitting a substance, it’s about feeling whole again. We walk beside you each step with empathy and respect.
Get Support at San Diego Wellness Center
If you or someone you love is using kratom and worried about liver damage, it’s important to act soon. Getting help now can protect your health. The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. At San Diego Wellness Center, we’re here to help you stop using safely, protect your health, and build a better life.
Contact San Diego Wellness Center Today! We’re ready to listen and support you through recovery with real care and a personal touch.
FAQs
How long does kratom high last?
A kratom high typically lasts between 2 to 5 hours, depending on the dose and the person’s body chemistry.
What should not be taken with kratom?
Kratom should not be mixed with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives as this can increase the risk of liver damage and dangerous side effects.
What does kratom make you fail for?
While kratom isn’t detected on standard drug tests, specialized tests may detect its active compounds, especially if testing for synthetic opioids or unknown substances.
Do you build a tolerance for kratom?
Yes, regular use of kratom can lead to tolerance, meaning you may need higher doses to feel the same effects, which increases health risks.
What’s better for pain, CBD or kratom?
CBD may offer pain relief without the risk of addiction, while kratom’s effects come with a higher risk for dependency and liver-related side effects.