Is Kratom Addictive?
In This Article
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia known for its stimulating effects at low doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses. This makes it a popular medication for pain relief and opioid withdrawal management.
Kratom contains alkaloids (primarily mitragynine and 7-hydro mitragynine), which act on the brain’s mu-opioid receptors. This is why kratom can be used for pain relief and managing opioid withdrawal.
However, kratom does carry significant risks, including addiction and withdrawal complications. In this article, we’ll briefly tackle kratom addiction, withdrawal, and their symptoms.
Is Kratom Addictive?
Studies have shown that kratom can be addictive. Regular and frequent use can even lead to increased tolerance and dependence on the drug.
Symptoms of a kratom addiction include but are not limited to:
- Erratic or violent behavior
- Depression or anxiety
- Breathing problems
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to experience pain
- Shakiness or tremors
- Sweating
- Weight changes
- Kratom cravings
- Hallucinations
- Panic or high levels of alertness
- Poor decision making
- Withdrawal symptoms
People addicted to kratom may also start neglecting responsibilities and hobbies to use the substance. Most of their time is spent getting, abusing, and recovering from kratom use.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, contact medical help.
Side Effects of Kratom Abuse
Aside from withdrawal, long-term kratom abuse can lead to various unpleasant side effects. These include:
- Loss of appetite
- Significant weight loss
- Anorexia
- Insomnia
- Changes in skin color around the cheeks
- Sexual dysfunction
- Liver damage
It’s important to understand that the long-term effects of kratom use haven’t been extensively studied. So the potential side effects of long-term or chronic kratom use aren’t fully known.
Kratom Withdrawal & Symptoms
If you’ve become addicted or dependent on kratom, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop taking it. Kratom withdrawal can cause various uncomfortable symptoms, including:
- Anxiety and irritability
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches, tremors, and sweating
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal problems like nausea and vomiting
- Severe cases may experience hallucinations, delusions, or seizures
The severity of withdrawal varies depending on how long and how you’ve been using kratom, overall health, and other substance use.
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What is Kratom’s Regulatory Status?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom for medical use. It’s also considered a substance of concern by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
However, the legal status of kratom is complex. Although legal in many parts of the U.S., it’s banned in some.
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Treatment Options for Kratom Addiction
Because of the addiction potential, it’s important to be careful about kratom use. If you want to stop using, you’ll need medical supervision.
Available treatment options for kratom addiction include:
- Medical detox: Medically supervised detox used to avoid harmful withdrawal effects
- Inpatient treatment: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision
- Outpatient treatment: A treatment program where you are freely allowed to leave the rehab facility
- Medication-assisted treatment: Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: A short-term therapy technique explores the link between thought patterns and addiction
- Support groups and aftercare programs: Provide a much-needed community to help maintain sobriety after treatment
Kratom can be addictive and lead to withdrawal similar to opioids. Understanding the risks underscores the need for caution and highlights the importance of further research into its effects and potential medical applications.
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- Settle AG, & Yang C. “A Case of Severe Kratom Addiction Contributing to a Suicide Attempt.” Cureus, 2022.
- Henningfield et al. “Kratom Abuse Potential 2021: An Updated Eight Factor Analysis.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022.
- Henningfield et al. “Kratom withdrawal: Discussions and conclusions of a scientific expert forum.” Drug Alcohol Depend Rep, 2023.
- NIDA. “Kratom.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022.
- DEA. “Drug Fact Sheet: Kratom.” Drug Enforcement Administration, 2020.
- Eastlack et al. “Kratom-Pharmacology, Clinical Implications, and Outlook: A Comprehensive Review.” Pain Ther, 2020.
