Kratom Addiction
Kratom is an unregulated herbal substance that can lead to dependence. It affects the same brain receptors as opioids, posing a risk for addiction and misuse.
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What Is Kratom?
Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia and has been used from Malaysia to Thailand for hundreds of years.
In small doses, kratom can act like a mild stimulant, while in larger amounts it may have sedative or pain-relieving effects.
Sold as a dietary supplement in the United States, kratom is legal on a federal level as of 2024. However, some local governments (including states and counties) have criminalized kratom due to concerns about the use of kratom and its overall safety.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) does not currently regulate kratom as a controlled substance; instead, it lists it as a “drug of concern.”
How Common Is Kratom?
Kratom has gained significant popularity in the United States over the last decade, with the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use reporting about 1.7 million Americans using kratom in the last year.
That makes kratom one of the most commonly used herbal supplements in the U.S.
The most common kratom products include:
- Tea (using either whole or ground leaves)
- Kratom capsules
- Kratom extract
- Concentrated kratom shots
- Kratom gummies
Why Do People Use Kratom?
Kratom users cite a variety of reasons why they take this drug, including:
- Pain relief
- Managing mental health conditions (as a replacement for antidepressants)
- Reducing opiate withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing cravings while recovering from drug addiction
While many users report these benefits, kratom is not approved by the FDA, and scientific evidence remains limited. Many questions remain about its effectiveness and safety.
Kratom and Sober Culture
Over the years, kratom has been embraced by sober culture because of the substance’s perceived status as an addiction-free dietary supplement and alternative to dangerous opioids.
Similar sources claim kratom can be helpful for those in recovery from opioid use disorder. However, due to limited research, these claims should be viewed with caution.
Kratom bars often pop up in cities as an alternative to bar culture and promote healthy, sober living instead.
Unfortunately, the strong beliefs surrounding kratom’s supposed benefits as a supplement prevent people from viewing the substance critically.
But the growing popularity of kratom may obscure its risks—many users find themselves dependent before realizing it.
Effects of Kratom Use
Like any drug, the side effects of using kratom will vary from person to person.
Research shows that kratom has a high risk of leading to physical dependence and addiction, especially when taken in larger doses. Regular use of kratom also increases its potentially addictive properties.
Additional side effects of kratom use may include:
- Constipation
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased energy
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hair loss
- Tremors or jerky movements
- Weight loss
- Anorexia
- High blood pressure
- Marked drowsiness or fatigue (especially when taken in high doses)
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Gastrointestinal issues, including upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Combining kratom with other drugs, especially opioids or sedatives, can dramatically increase the risk of overdose or serious complications.
How Does Kratom Work?
The active ingredient in kratom (mitragynine, which becomes 7-hydroxymitragynine in the body) stimulates the brain’s opioid receptors.
Consuming kratom essentially activates this pleasure center in your brain, similar to how typical opiates affect your brain.
Kratom users often experience a sense of euphoria along with potentially stimulating effects (e.g., feeling talkative, energetic, or productive) for low doses and sedative effects (e.g., relaxation, drowsiness) when taken in higher amounts.
Research had previously indicated that, unlike traditional opiates, kratom may not bind to brain receptors.
More recent studies show that kratom does bind to opioid receptors—but it appears to do so in a different way than classical opioids. Continued research is needed to fully understand these differences and their implications.
Is Kratom Safe to Use?
The safety of kratom use is currently up for debate. We don’t have enough information one way or another to determine whether kratom is officially “safe” or “unsafe.”
The DEA lists kratom as a “substance or drug of concern,” suggesting that kratom use is at least potentially risky.
Kratom is still relatively new to the United States, and not much is known about the short- and long-term effects of kratom on users.
Kratom is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means it does not necessarily meet certain health and safety standards before it goes into distribution.
That means the kratom you buy could contain contaminants, be mislabeled, or even be mixed with other active drugs.
Why Is Kratom Addiction So Controversial?
Because research into the effects of kratom is still relatively new, there is a lot of information (and misinformation) circulating about this popular herbal substance.
Unfortunately, early research suggested that users could not develop a dependence on kratom due to how it interacts with the brain, with many supporters claiming that “kratom doesn’t bind to the brain’s opioid receptors,” unlike heroin and other true opiates.
This isn’t necessarily true.
Scientists are still investigating how kratom binds to the brain’s serotonin, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors. Therefore, any claims that kratom cannot lead to addiction are based on incomplete research.
The Argument for Kratom Use
Some pro-kratom users claim that it helps them manage chronic pain, suggesting that it is a better alternative to “harder” opiates like oxycodone or hydrocodone.
Other kratom users report that kratom helped them successfully overcome drug addiction (namely, opioid addiction) and resist cravings even months after quitting their drug use.
Advocates argue that, used responsibly and in moderation, kratom may offer relief—but emphasize that more clinical trials are needed.
Others argue that we do not yet know enough about kratom to determine whether its potential benefits are worth the risks.
The Argument Against Kratom Use
While some users claim kratom has helped them manage pain or handle opiate addiction, other kratom users have experienced intense side effects (tremors, anorexia, hallucinations, and seizures) even after short-term use.
Additionally, many former kratom users report developing a physical dependence on kratom rather quickly and cite severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit. Some former kratom users report needing medication-assisted treatment to deal with the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
These conflicting experiences make it clear that kratom’s effects vary widely—and caution is essential.
Ultimately, research into kratom’s potential benefits and dangers is ongoing.
Signs of Kratom Dependence and Addiction
Kratom dependence and kratom addiction are two different things, though physical dependence usually leads to addiction.
When someone uses kratom long enough for their body to get used to the regular stream of dopamine and serotonin it creates, they develop physical dependence.
Physical dependence is what it sounds like: their body has now become physically dependent on kratom to function properly.
Likewise, individuals who have become physically dependent on kratom and suddenly stop using it will often experience withdrawal symptoms. Kratom withdrawals are very similar to the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Kratom withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- General unease, including restless leg syndrome (RLS)
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Mood swings, especially irritability
- Runny nose
- Body aches
Addiction happens when a person becomes obsessed with using a substance—in this case, kratom use. Casual use of kratom will usually turn into kratom abuse as the person needs more of this drug to feel the same effects.
More research is still needed to determine exactly how kratom addiction compares to other substance use disorders.
A person who is experiencing kratom addiction may exhibit the following behaviors:
- Inability to control how much kratom they take
- Needing to take more kratom to feel the same effects (i.e., tolerance)
- Wanting to decrease or stop using kratom but being unable to
- Decreased productivity at work or home
- Losing interest in other hobbies in favor of using kratom
- Continuing to use kratom despite any negative impacts on one’s life
Kratom Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one has found themselves addicted to kratom or unsure how to safely quit using this drug, the good news is that treatment programs can help you.
Individuals who receive assistance with kratom withdrawal may receive a prescription for medication that can help make the withdrawal symptoms less uncomfortable. The most common prescription used to combat kratom withdrawal symptoms is buprenorphine.
Because kratom withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, many people complete detox in an outpatient setting, followed by counseling or support groups to strengthen recovery.
Another plus is that, while uncomfortable, kratom withdrawals are not usually life-threatening, so detox and treatment can usually happen at an outpatient level. Outpatient treatment services mean you won’t need to stay at a treatment center during detox.
You may decide that you want to seek additional coaching and addiction treatment after the detox phase to help you continue to abstain from kratom in the future.
If that’s the case, speak to your primary healthcare provider or an addiction specialist in your area to find addiction programs (inpatient and outpatient) nearby. Many people find that psychiatry is extremely helpful during the treatment process.
Get Help for Kratom Addiction
If you are concerned that your kratom use may have turned into an addiction, you can connect with the folks at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through their free helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or via their website at findtreatment.gov. They can help you locate an addiction counselor, physician, and other treatment options near you.
Alternatively, you can talk to your doctor about how to approach quitting kratom and find out whether you should consider medication-assisted treatment during the detox phase.
Whatever you choose, know that this discomfort is temporary, but the freedom you’ll feel afterward is lasting!
FAQs About Kratom
What is kratom?
Kratom is an herbal substance that was popularized in Southeast Asia. It is best known for its opiate-like effects, including pain relief. Individuals may use kratom to feel relaxed, manage chronic pain, gain energy, or combat certain side effects of opiate withdrawal.
There is still a great deal of research needed about the short- and long-term effects of kratom, including its potential for addiction and dependence.
Is kratom legal?
Yes and no. Kratom is legal at the federal level as of 2024. However, local legislators have outlawed kratom in different cities and counties in the United States.
Is kratom addictive?
Yes, kratom has the potential to lead to addiction. This topic is hotly debated because of how kratom interacts with the brain slightly differently than traditional opiates and research into the effects of kratom on the brain is ongoing.
Like any substance that can alter the brain’s chemicals, kratom has the potential for abuse, physical dependency, and addiction.
What are the symptoms of kratom addiction?
Signs that someone is addicted to kratom will likely show up in their behavior as they become obsessed with acquiring, using, and/or recovering from kratom.
Someone addicted to kratom will go to great lengths to acquire kratom or continue using it, even if it has started causing negative effects to their health, finances, relationships, or overall well-being.
Is kratom an opiate?
Kratom is not considered an official opiate. It is well-known for its opioid-like effects, especially when consumed in large amounts, including sedation, pain relief, and feelings of euphoria.
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