Khat (pronounced ‘cot’), a drug with possible psychoactive effects, remains relatively uncommon in the United States; however, the number of individuals addicted to it is increasing. This plant-based substance originates from the Middle East and Africa, where the indigenous population incorporates it into their culture to obtain various advantages.

Khat produces stimulant effects similar to cocaine and amphetamine, and thus has a similarly high risk for abuse and addiction. Therefore, it is essential to understand what khat is, how it impacts the body, and what can be done to control khat addiction.

Today’s blog will help you learn about khat, khat withdrawal, and khat detox, and will highlight how Gratitude Lodge can assist you or a loved one who might be struggling with khat addiction.

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What Is Khat?

Khat (Catha edulis) is an evergreen shrub that originated from East Africa and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It has been grown and utilized for centuries in Yemen, Somalia, Madagascar, Kenya, and Ethiopia, while it is cultivated and used to a lesser degree in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zaire, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Swaziland, and South Africa.

Approximately 20 million people globally are estimated to use Khat, with chewing rates potentially reaching 15 percent in Ethiopia and 90 percent in Yemen. Individuals chew or smoke the green leaves, use them to make tea, or incorporate them into food. The two active compounds in khat are both stimulants, namely cathine (D-norpseudoephedrine) and cathinone (keto-amphetamine). This means that khat has a high probability of abuse and currently has no established medical use in the United States.

Khat Use Background and Legal Status

Over time, the consumption of khat expanded to various regions across the globe, mainly via immigrants who departed from their native countries to settle in numerous areas of Europe and America. Currently, it is gradually gaining popularity in the Western world, as evidenced by a significant rise in addiction cases associated with its use.

Because of the concerning increase in khat addiction cases, numerous nations have classified khat as an illegal or regulated substance; nonetheless, many still view it as legal. The nations where khat is still a legal substance are mainly those that rely on khat as a significant component of their economies, including Yemen, Somalia, and Kenya. Interestingly, this drug is also legal in South America and Israel, provided that an individual is using it in its natural state.

To date, khat is still prohibited for personal use in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and the majority of Europe. The United States lacks legal grounds for purchasing, selling, or bringing khat into the nation. In 1993, the DEA classified cathinone as a Schedule I substance and cathine as a Schedule IV substance.

The Effects of Using Khat

A person needs only around 50 grams of khat to feel its effects. Usually, this psychoactive substance begins to exhibit effects within one hour of chewing the leaves and stems. These effects often involve:

• Excessive talking
• Heightened energy
• Greater alertness
• Feelings of euphoria

Many individuals depend on this substance to combat tiredness and improve their social experiences. Many also misuse khat for increased mental vitality, heightened physical awareness, and performance-boosting effects.

What Is Khat Withdrawal Like?

Regular khat users seem to experience a withdrawal syndrome that complicates the process of quitting khat. Symptoms of withdrawal are generally experienced the day following cessation and become more severe during the first week after stopping khat.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Khat

Symptoms of getting off khat include:

• Tiredness
• Restlessness
• Increased appetite
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Increased sleep
• Poor motivation
• Nervousness
• Cravings for the drug
• Poor coordination
• Migraines

Khat Withdrawal Timeline

The khat withdrawal timeline can vary depending on the individual’s frequency and duration of use and overall health. Typically, withdrawal symptoms emerge within 24 hours of stopping khat use and peak during the first week.

• 24–48 hours: Initial withdrawal symptoms begin, including fatigue, irritability, and increased appetite.
• 2–7 days: Symptoms intensify, with tiredness, restlessness, irritability, depression, and drug cravings being most prominent.
• 1–2 weeks: Physical symptoms like headaches, poor coordination, and nervousness begin to subside, but psychological effects such as cravings and depression may persist.
• 2+ weeks: Many symptoms improve, though lingering cravings and mood instability may require further therapy or support.

Understanding this timeline can help individuals seeking to quit khat better anticipate the challenges of withdrawal and seek medical support for a successful recovery.

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Why Khat Abuse Causes Withdrawal

Khat mainly contains cathinone and cathine, two substances with stimulant effects that result in various impacts similar to those of amphetamine.

When an individual chews the leaves and stems of khat, these substances are quickly released and absorbed into their bloodstream via the linings of the stomach and mouth. They subsequently enter the brain, triggering specific receptors to release hormones such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin. These hormones function together to create stimulating and enjoyable effects for the user.

Cathine and cathinone usually remain in the body for as long as 3 hours, with the liver metabolizing nearly 98 percent of these substances. However, a person typically experiences their effects for up to an hour in most situations. Because of these short-lived effects, many individuals try to take multiple doses of khat to prolong the euphoria. Nevertheless, this also makes them vulnerable to both immediate and lasting side effects, as well as symptoms of withdrawal.

What Is Detox for Khat Like?

Thorough addiction therapy is beneficial for individuals struggling with the side effects of stopping khat use. There is no universal solution for addiction since every individual is different, so it’s crucial to develop a comprehensive treatment program that provides tailored and personalized care for every patient.

In creating a recovery plan, a mental health professional might include specific components that align with their lifestyle, individual requirements, and the extent and seriousness of the addiction.

Detoxing from Khat

The initial and most important step in khat addiction is detoxification, which entails ceasing khat usage and clearing it from the body. Detoxification necessitates that a person refrain from using khat to ensure its chemicals are completely eliminated.

Detox can take just 24 hours to eliminate the primary active components of khat from the body; nevertheless, many individuals require a longer detox period to handle withdrawal.

A detox professional may offer certain medications and therapy to assist addicts in managing the unpleasant khat withdrawal symptoms, along with providing comfort, support, and continuous supervision and monitoring.

Rehab for Khat Withdrawal

After detox comes rehabilitation, a program that offers addicts a plan for stopping khat use and sustaining their sobriety. This program utilizes several evidence-based methods to assist addicts in identifying the root causes of their addiction and developing constructive coping strategies for a more positive future.

Rehabilitation often occurs in certified treatment facilities where skilled addiction experts help each patient prepare for the challenges they will encounter concerning their addiction and help them develop a new positive lifestyle.

Based on personal requirements, an individual might choose an inpatient program involving continuous care, or an outpatient program in which they attend therapy daily and return home afterward. Partial hospitalization programs may combine both approaches.

What Happens After Khat Detox?

Aftercare is a vital component of a recovery strategy for khat addiction. Given that as many as 60 percent of individuals seeking treatment experience relapse within the first month of sobriety, implementing an aftercare program is essential for sustaining a sober way of life.

Aftercare programs provide continuous assistance to guarantee smooth reintegration into life and support long-term sobriety through therapy, medication, and holistic approaches such as art and nature therapy. Many aftercare clients also join support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges.

Moreover, rehabilitation centers continually reach out to former clients for routine check-ins for as long as a year following therapy, aiding them in maintaining sobriety.

Khat Withdrawal FAQs

How long do khat withdrawals last?

Withdrawal symptoms from khat are usually experienced the day after stopping and become more intense during the first week following cessation.

What are the long-term effects of khat?

Some typical long-term effects of khat consist of:

• Cardiovascular damage
• Teeth discoloration
• Hemorrhoids
• Periodontal disease
• Insomnia
• Liver damage
• Anxiety
• Oral cancers
• Impotence
• Malnutrition
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Psychotic episodes

What drug has the worst withdrawal symptoms?

Withdrawal from drugs such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and glucocorticoids can be the most severe and even fatal.

How long does khat stay in the system?

The active stimulant compounds in khat – cathine and cathinone – typically stay in the body for up to three hours, as the liver processes almost 98 percent of these compounds. Nevertheless, an individual usually feels their effects for about an hour in many instances.

Get Help Overcoming Khat Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

Gratitude Lodge provides a comprehensive drug addiction recovery program that targets both the physical effects and mental, habitual repercussions of stimulant drug abuse, including khat dependency.

Our program offers round-the-clock medically supervised detox and psychiatric consultant care, along with a combination of specialized addiction treatments and complementary therapies tailored to each patient’s requirements in a customized khat abuse treatment plan.

For more information, call us today at 844-576-0144.

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5748832/
2. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/sites/getsmartaboutdrugs.com/files/publications/DoA_2017Ed_Updated_6.16.17.pdf#page=53
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197900/
4. https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-4131.pdf
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29771560/