Kratom and Relapse Risk
Many suffering from Opioid Use Disorder have turned to Kratom, an emerging psychoactive plant native to Southeast Asia, to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. This is because the plant’s primary chemical compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, possess opioid-like properties. However, Kratom can be addictive, and because of these opioid-like properties, is driving more users to relapse on opioid drugs.
Why does Kratom act like an opioid?
Depending on the dosage, Kratom can have different effects. In smaller doses, it can act like a stimulant, imparting sensations of euphoria, increased energy, and talkativeness on the user. In higher doses, the plant acts like an opioid, causing relaxation, drowsiness, catatonia, and mild pain relief.
Kratom produces these effects because its two primary psychoactive alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, have a strong affinity (or bind with) the brain’s primary opioid receptor, the ‘mu’ receptor. In fact, studies show that 7-hydroxymitragynine, in terms of binding affinity for opioid receptors in the brain, can be up to 13 times as potent as morphine.
As a result, Kratom, like many opioids, has high addictive potential, and long-term use can result in physical dependence on the plant to function normally.
How does this affect users treating SUD?
Many individuals who suffer from SUD – particularly opioid use disorder (OUD) – turn to Kratom as a potential alternative to their drugs of choice, like heroin or fentanyl. Because Kratom has opioid-like properties, some believe that using the plant can help reduce cravings and withdrawal, and eventually help ween them off of stronger substances.
In reality, Kratom’s similarly to opioids make it addictive too, which means the plant is not a safe nor an effective way to treat problems with substance abuse. Most drug and alcohol rehab facilities classify Kratom use after treatment as a full-blown relapse.
Many individuals who turned to Kratom hoping to find an opioid alternative instead relapsed. In Florida, where Kratom use is particularly popular, addiction treatment facilities are struggling to find space to house former patients seeking readmittance after relapsing on opioids following Kratom use. For many, the plant’s psychoactive and addictive qualities ‘re-awaken’ their cravings for their old drugs of choice, like heroin. Because opioids are cheaper and stronger than Kratom, this temptation can be difficult for most to resist.
What should you do instead?
The most effective, safe, and reputable solution for substance abuse disorder is not Kratom. It is professional addiction treatment. Inpatient detox and residential addiction treatment programs can help you develop the life-saving skills to foster a happy, healthy recovery from all kinds of substance abuse.
If you or a loved one is suffering from Kratom abuse, or substance abuse disorder, help is always available. For resources and guidance, visit our Get Help page.