Kava Addiction & Abuse, Is Kava Addictive?

What is Kava?

Kava affects the brain and the central nervous system acting as a depressant that reduces anxiety and relaxes muscles. Today, kava is available in several different forms. You may find kava in a tincture or liquid extract (kava concentrate), added to a pre-made or flavored liquid (micronized kava), brewed into a tea (ground kava root), or formulated into capsules.

Kava has an earthy taste that many people compare to dirt. Kavalactones, the active ingredient in kava, may have an analgesic effect, which is why people who drink kava may experience numbness in their lips or tongue. When people want to experience maximum kava effects, they typically consume it on an empty stomach.

Kava Uses

The main use of kava is to help with anxiety. In fact, the supplement has become an increasingly popular natural alternative to benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan. Despite the therapeutic effects of prescription “benzos,” the drugs have the potential to cause a lot of negative side effects that people don’t want to experience.

Taking benzodiazepines can leave the users feeling tired, weak, confused, and nauseous. The drugs can also cause debilitating mood and psychological side effects, including depression, irritability, and hostility. Research on the usefulness of kava has shown that it is possibly effective at helping with the symptoms of anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder, and this is believed to be because of the similar way that it affects the brain to anti-anxiety drugs.

Kava affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. The kavalactones in kava are believed to be responsible for their effects. Kavalactones, the active ingredients in kava, are sticky, insoluble substances. It passes through the bloodstream as it’s absorbed, causing the plant to act as a muscle relaxant.

Most research shows that taking kava extracts that contain 70% kavalactones can lower anxiety and might work as well as some prescription anti-anxiety medications. Along with anxiety relief, some people take kava because they feel it boosts their mood and helps them fall asleep more easily. Due to these relaxing properties, it is also sometimes used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and even withdrawal from certain drugs.

Is Kava Legal?

While it’s legal in the United States, countries like Canada and a lot of the member countries of the EU banned kava. Kava extracts along with any supplements containing kava or kavalactones can’t be sold in many EU member countries. In the U.S. the FDA has issued a warning that people who have liver disease or liver problems, or who take medicines that can affect the liver speak to a doctor before they take kava. Despite health concerns, kava is legal in the U.S. market.

How is Kava Taken? 

Kava is available in many different types of products, including teas and other beverages. Kava extracts have most often been used by adults in doses of 150-400 mg by mouth daily. It is also commonly sold as tinctures (liquid extracts). The most common ways kava is consumed include:

Ground Kava Root

This is the traditional preparation of kava. It includes grinding the kava root, putting it in a muslin cloth, and then steeping it in water.

Micronized Kava

Micronized kava is a fine powder and is comparable to an instant version of the root. 

Kava Concentrate

Kava concentrate is a concentrated liquid form of the substance that can be added to another drink of choice. 

Kava Addiction Potential

Although the FDA does not classify kava as an addictive substance, some studies find its effects on the brain are similar to those of addictive drugs and alcohol. Addictive substances cause a surge of neurotransmitters in the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. The result is an increase in levels of chemicals like dopamine and endorphins that affect mood and other emotions. This surge of natural chemicals elevates the mood while decreasing stress, anxiety, and pain.

Although there is limited research on kava and its active compound, kava pyrones, at least one study found it increased dopamine levels and triggered a relaxing, slightly euphoric effect in study subjects.. Kava appears to affect the brain, it delivers a calming effect, much like Valium. Kava also causes muscle relaxation and affects GABA and dopamine receptors. GABA blocks nervous system activity and helps regulate mood. Because kava interacts with brain receptors to elevate mood and promote relaxation, it may lead to dependence. With addictive substances, dependence often leads to addiction.

How common is Kava Abuse? 

Kava can produce a variety of negative and potentially harmful effects as well. These side effects can range from mild to severe and include any of the following:

Substance abuse constitutes any situation in which the substance is used not as explicitly directed This includes taking higher dosages or mixing it with other drugs and alcohol. Many people will take more of the herb than recommended to feel the kava effects faster or use it to intensify the sedation of other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol. Diverted use such as this increases the risk of serious complications such as troubled breathing, abdominal cramping, and slowed cognitive function.

Signs and Symptoms of Kava Addiction and Abuse 

While many believe that kava is non-addictive, it can lead to the development of tolerance and therefore can be habit-forming. The substance can also create a euphoric high that allows users to change their state of mind without being overly impaired, so users can be high and still function. As a result, it’s easy for people to use kava without realizing they have become addicted to it.

Common signs of kava addiction are:

• Feeling intense urges or cravings for kava
• Preoccupation with thoughts of using this herb
• Developing a tolerance where you need to use more of the substance to feel the same kava effects
• Spending excessive time and money on kava
• Wanting to stop or even attempting to stop using kava but being unable to do so
• Continuing to use kava despite worsening health or social consequences
• Mixing kava with other substances like alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants
• Isolating from friends and family or lying about kava use

The Dangers of Kava Abuse

Although Kava is marketed as a natural and safe herbal supplement, experts have many safety concerns about the substance – particularly in regard to the way kava affects the liver. There are multiple safety concerns regarding kava use, including liver failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Many cases of liver damage and even some deaths have been traced back to regular kava consumption. Regularly consuming the supplement for as little as one to three months has resulted in the need for liver transplants and even death. Early symptoms of liver damage include jaundice, fatigue, and dark urine.

While a single dose of kava is probably safe, long-term abuse is extremely dangerous. In addition to the risk of kava addiction, long-term kava use can lead to stomach irritation, liver damage, kidney problems, hallucinations, and even shortness of breath. Another effect of prolonged use is dermopathy; a characteristic scaly, cracked skin disorder found in people who abuse kava.

Kava vs. Benzodiazepines

People considered kava as “nature’s Xanax” because a lot of the effects of these substances overlap. Benzodiazepines are known to be highly addictive. People can become physically dependent on Xanax in just a couple of weeks. To make matters worse, benzo withdrawal is one of the only forms of withdrawal that can actually be lethal (the other one is alcohol). So if this herb and benzodiazepines are so similar, how come kava isn’t nearly as addictive as these anxiety meds? The answer is complicated.

Kava and Alcohol

People will frequently compare the effects of kava to feeling a buzz from drinking alcohol, but there are numerous warnings about combining kava and alcohol. Is okay to combine kava and alcohol or can it cause liver problems?

While researchers are unsure of the exact reasons kava might cause liver damage, they do believe that mixing kava with alcohol could put you and your liver at undue risk. Some of the side effects have included cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure, and the use of alcohol can make the risk of these effects higher.

Also along with considering whether or not kava and alcohol are dangerous for your liver is the fact that you can amplify the effects of kava when these substances are combined. Kava can already have a relaxing and somewhat sedative effect. If you add alcohol to the mix, it’s going to further slow your central nervous system, which can slow your reflexes and cause you to become very drowsy.

Kava Addiction Treatment

While kava is marketed as a safe and natural supplement in the U.S., it still has the potential for abuse and addiction. Due to the dangerous health consequences, it can cause, anyone that feels attached to or craves the substance should seek help.

For someone already addicted to this herbal plant, the best solution is by enrolling in a rehabilitation facility. By doing so, patients are guided on how to quit their addictive way of life and are also taught ways to blend back into society and live a happy and healthy life free from Kava.

Medically-Assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

Medication-Assisted Treatments