Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does It Do?Can It Treat Opiate Withdrawal?Signs of Kratom AddictionHow to Treat AddictionCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Does It Do?
Can It Treat Opiate Withdrawal?
Signs of Kratom Addiction
How to Treat Addiction
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
This article will explain the effects of kratom use, including whether it can be used for opioid withdrawal management and the difference between kratom dependency and kratom addiction. You’ll also learn the signs to watch for in kratom addiction, when to seek help for yourself or someone else, and what detox and treatment may look like. You’ll also see what long-term outlook looks like and get tips on how to avoidrelapse.
4 Most Common Types of Chronic Pain in American Adults
MysteryShot/ Getty Images
What Does Kratom Do?
Kratom use has been increasing and is actually a scheduled substance in some countries because of its stimulant- and opioid-like effects. Kratom is made up of alkaloid compounds calledmitragynineand 7-hydroxymitragynine. These compounds can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects.
Micro-dosing (taking small amounts of a substance to invoke a cellular response without producing whole-body effects) kratom is associated with stimulating effects including:
Effects of dosing at higher amounts:
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) added kratom to the list of Schedule 1 Drugs (the most serious) in 2016, but strong public backlash was a force that overturned the DEA’s ruling.
Kratom Side Effects
Side effects will depend upon a few factors, including dosage, frequency and duration of use, and the form of kratom taken. Concentrated extracts are associated with greater potential for health effects.
Side effects may include:
While more clinical research is needed to understand the effect of kratom on humans, there were 11 deaths reportedly associated with kratom exposure, including two that occurred after exposure to kratom only. Taking kratom with other substances increases a person’s risk of negative effects. Kratom abuse during pregnancy can lead to newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Pregnant Women May Face Barriers for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Does Kratom Work for Treating Opiate Withdrawal?
When a person continuously takes opioids, their body develops a dependence that makes quitting an uncomfortable and even distressing process. Kratom has been suggested as a potential avenue for treating the effects of opiate withdrawal.
A 2021 animal study involving morphine-dependent mice found kratom compounds may have some clinical value in opioid withdrawal treatment. Mice treated with kratom compounds experienced significantly fewer symptoms of withdrawal than expected and than the control group. Of course, animal studies are not an exact one-to-one with human outcomes.
Addiction vs DependenceDrug addiction or substance use disorder and drug dependencyare different. Addiction can occur without physical dependency. Both may result in withdrawal symptoms from efforts to reduce use or stop entirely. Dependency is when your body adapts to the substance and reacts to it being taken away. Your body and brain will need to readjust to functioning without the added substance.
Addiction vs Dependence
Drug addiction or substance use disorder and drug dependencyare different. Addiction can occur without physical dependency. Both may result in withdrawal symptoms from efforts to reduce use or stop entirely. Dependency is when your body adapts to the substance and reacts to it being taken away. Your body and brain will need to readjust to functioning without the added substance.
Physical withdrawal symptoms include:
Psychological withdrawal symptoms include:
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms, Treatment, and Management
Recognizing Addiction to Kratom in Others
If you suspect someone you know may be using kratom, check for signs of common side effects mentioned above, including:
Kratom addiction or abuse isn’t necessarily “safer” than opioid addiction because both can be fatal. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning and concern over increases in unapproved kratom products and some marketers falsely claiming kratom is safe. The FDA doesn’t support the use of kratom for opioid withdrawal treatment.
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported unintentional deaths associated with kratom use. From data on 27,338 overdose deaths from July 2016 to December 2017, 152 involved kratom on the toxicology report, and 91 listed the cause of death as kratom use.In seven cases, kratom was the only substance found on the toxicology report, but the researchers note that doesn’t rule out every substance possible.
How to Treat Addiction to Kratom
Admitting there’s a problem is a first step to understanding the importance of seeking treatment with a qualified healthcare provider in-person or virtually (online). The next step is reaching out for help or encouraging someone else to do so.
What to Do If You or Someone Else Is Addicted to Kratom
Kratom addiction happens for a reason. If you suspect you or a person you know has an addiction to kratom, it may be helpful to consider what stage of addiction or recovery you are dealing with. One model breaks down the stages along these lines: pre-thinking about quitting, thinking about quitting, coming up with a plan to quit, quitting, maintaining sobriety.
If you are concerned about a loved one, gently ask if you can share an observation and express concern about their kratom use. Create the space to listen to their response. Let them know you are there to support them and are happy to help them reach out for help if needed.
How to Overcome Drug Addiction
What to Expect From Kratom Detox
There may be a period of detox after ending use. Detoxification depends on factors like duration and frequency of kratom use, with the FDA saying those who use several times per day experienced greater withdrawal symptoms.Reports of supervised detox from kratom are insufficient to draw conclusions.
One case report on a 44-year-old man with alcohol use disorder and anxiety experienced short-acting withdrawal symptoms including:
Treatment for Addiction to Kratom
There are no FDA-approved treatments to treat kratom addiction.A 2022 review reported Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) as a promising detox treatment in people who were dependent on kratom. The review found alternative treatments for in-patient detoxification, which include Catapres (intravenous clonidine) and a combination of Panlor (oraldihydrocodeine) and Lucemyra (lofexidine).
Coping With Kratom Addiction
The relapse rate for substance use disorders is between 40-60%.Relapse can be defined as returning to a pattern of substance use. It may happen a handful of times before a person is able to stay sober from the substance or substances.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation offers the following tips for avoiding relapse long term.
Long-term recovery requires changing thought patterns.People withsubstance use disorderswill benefit long term from learning from their mistakes, building a more positive self-image, and setting future goals, including goals unrelated to their alcohol and other drug use (e.g., graduate school, get a job, get out of debt).
Summary
Kratom is a mind-altering substance used for its opioid-like effects. While not FDA-approved for any use, there has been reported use of kratom for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms. Kratom dependence and addiction can occur with side effects and withdrawal symptoms of their own. Treatment involves a combination of detoxification and medication and a relapse prevention plan and support.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsKratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Kratom for any medical use. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.Medications that cause sleepiness or drowsiness, such as central nervous system depressants, should not be combined with kratom. Interaction can cause excessive drowsiness or slowed breathing.
Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Kratom for any medical use. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.
Medications that cause sleepiness or drowsiness, such as central nervous system depressants, should not be combined with kratom. Interaction can cause excessive drowsiness or slowed breathing.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drug Enforcement Administration.Kratom.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Kratom.Veltri C, Grundmann O.Current perspectives on the impact of Kratom use.Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. 2019;10:23-31. doi:10.2147/SAR.S164261Gianutsos G.The DEA changes its mind on kratom.Drug Enforcement Administration.Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into schedule I.United States Food and Drug Administration.Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on FDA advisory about deadly risks associated with kratom.Post, S, Henry AS, Thitphalak C, and Smith GA.Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers: 2011–2017.Clinical Toxicology. 2019;57(10):847-854. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1569236Wilson LL, Chakraborty S, Eans SO, et al.Kratom alkaloids, natural and semi-synthetic, show less physical dependence and ameliorate opioid withdrawal.Cell Molecular Neurobiology. 2021:41(1131–1143). doi:10.1007/s10571-020-01034-7National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The difference between physical dependence and addiction.Bin Abdullah MF.Kratom dependence and treatment Options: a comprehensive review of the literature.Current Drug Targets. 2020;21(15):1566-1579. doi:10.2174/1389450121666200719011653U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues warning to companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom drug products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses.Olsen EO, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Schier JG, Wilson N.Notes from the field: unintentional drug overdose deaths with kratom detected — 27 states, July 2016–December 2017.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(14);326–327.Lassiter PS, Culbreth JR.Theory and Practice of Addiction Counseling.SAGE Publications.McWhirter L, Morris S.A case report of inpatient detoxification after kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence.EAR. 2010;16(4):229-231. doi:10.1159/000320288.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Drug and Alcohol Foundation.Relapse.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Drug Enforcement Administration.Kratom.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Kratom.Veltri C, Grundmann O.Current perspectives on the impact of Kratom use.Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. 2019;10:23-31. doi:10.2147/SAR.S164261Gianutsos G.The DEA changes its mind on kratom.Drug Enforcement Administration.Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into schedule I.United States Food and Drug Administration.Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on FDA advisory about deadly risks associated with kratom.Post, S, Henry AS, Thitphalak C, and Smith GA.Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers: 2011–2017.Clinical Toxicology. 2019;57(10):847-854. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1569236Wilson LL, Chakraborty S, Eans SO, et al.Kratom alkaloids, natural and semi-synthetic, show less physical dependence and ameliorate opioid withdrawal.Cell Molecular Neurobiology. 2021:41(1131–1143). doi:10.1007/s10571-020-01034-7National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The difference between physical dependence and addiction.Bin Abdullah MF.Kratom dependence and treatment Options: a comprehensive review of the literature.Current Drug Targets. 2020;21(15):1566-1579. doi:10.2174/1389450121666200719011653U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues warning to companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom drug products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses.Olsen EO, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Schier JG, Wilson N.Notes from the field: unintentional drug overdose deaths with kratom detected — 27 states, July 2016–December 2017.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(14);326–327.Lassiter PS, Culbreth JR.Theory and Practice of Addiction Counseling.SAGE Publications.McWhirter L, Morris S.A case report of inpatient detoxification after kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence.EAR. 2010;16(4):229-231. doi:10.1159/000320288.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Drug and Alcohol Foundation.Relapse.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Kratom.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Kratom.Veltri C, Grundmann O.Current perspectives on the impact of Kratom use.Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. 2019;10:23-31. doi:10.2147/SAR.S164261Gianutsos G.The DEA changes its mind on kratom.Drug Enforcement Administration.Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into schedule I.United States Food and Drug Administration.Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on FDA advisory about deadly risks associated with kratom.Post, S, Henry AS, Thitphalak C, and Smith GA.Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers: 2011–2017.Clinical Toxicology. 2019;57(10):847-854. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1569236Wilson LL, Chakraborty S, Eans SO, et al.Kratom alkaloids, natural and semi-synthetic, show less physical dependence and ameliorate opioid withdrawal.Cell Molecular Neurobiology. 2021:41(1131–1143). doi:10.1007/s10571-020-01034-7National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The difference between physical dependence and addiction.Bin Abdullah MF.Kratom dependence and treatment Options: a comprehensive review of the literature.Current Drug Targets. 2020;21(15):1566-1579. doi:10.2174/1389450121666200719011653U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues warning to companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom drug products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses.Olsen EO, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Schier JG, Wilson N.Notes from the field: unintentional drug overdose deaths with kratom detected — 27 states, July 2016–December 2017.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(14);326–327.Lassiter PS, Culbreth JR.Theory and Practice of Addiction Counseling.SAGE Publications.McWhirter L, Morris S.A case report of inpatient detoxification after kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence.EAR. 2010;16(4):229-231. doi:10.1159/000320288.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Drug and Alcohol Foundation.Relapse.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Kratom.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Kratom.
Veltri C, Grundmann O.Current perspectives on the impact of Kratom use.Substance Abuse Rehabilitation. 2019;10:23-31. doi:10.2147/SAR.S164261
Gianutsos G.The DEA changes its mind on kratom.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine into schedule I.
United States Food and Drug Administration.Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on FDA advisory about deadly risks associated with kratom.
Post, S, Henry AS, Thitphalak C, and Smith GA.Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers: 2011–2017.Clinical Toxicology. 2019;57(10):847-854. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1569236
Wilson LL, Chakraborty S, Eans SO, et al.Kratom alkaloids, natural and semi-synthetic, show less physical dependence and ameliorate opioid withdrawal.Cell Molecular Neurobiology. 2021:41(1131–1143). doi:10.1007/s10571-020-01034-7
National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.The difference between physical dependence and addiction.
Bin Abdullah MF.Kratom dependence and treatment Options: a comprehensive review of the literature.Current Drug Targets. 2020;21(15):1566-1579. doi:10.2174/1389450121666200719011653
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA issues warning to companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom drug products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses.
Olsen EO, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Schier JG, Wilson N.Notes from the field: unintentional drug overdose deaths with kratom detected — 27 states, July 2016–December 2017.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(14);326–327.
Lassiter PS, Culbreth JR.Theory and Practice of Addiction Counseling.SAGE Publications.
McWhirter L, Morris S.A case report of inpatient detoxification after kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence.EAR. 2010;16(4):229-231. doi:10.1159/000320288.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.
Drug and Alcohol Foundation.Relapse.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
