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Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable that some people keep using opioids, even when they want to recover from opioid use disorder (OUD).
Doctors can prescribe medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms, but people may also try herbal supplements such as kratom, which isn’t an approved treatment for opioid withdrawal.
Some people say kratom helps with energy or withdrawal symptoms, but it can also be risky. Kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use, and the FDA warns against using it because serious side effects have been reported. Because kratom products are unregulated, what’s in them can vary widely.
Let’s take a closer look at the evidence for and against using kratom for OUD withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom is an herbal supplement sold in many vitamin stores across the United States. It’s illegal in some states and countries but widely available and easy to access in others. Kratom laws can change, so check the rules where you live.
Because kratom is not regulated like a medicine, its strength can differ from brand to brand, and some products may contain unsafe ingredients or substances not listed on the label.
Kratom comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia called Mitragyna speciosa. Extract from Mitragyna speciosa leaves contains many chemicals, some of which affect the brain and body.
Researchers don’t fully understand how kratom works or whether any of its effects could have health benefits. They do know that kratom’s effects can vary widely based on the concentration of active chemicals, how it’s taken, and a person’s underlying medical conditions.
One of the most well-studied chemicals in kratom is called mitragynine. When you take kratom, mitragynine breaks down into another chemical called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Both mitragynine and 7-OH activate a specific type of opioid receptor on nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Although opioids and kratom both act on opioid receptors and can cause some similar effects, their effects can also be quite different. Research continues into how kratom works and its possible therapeutic effects.
Kratom can cause a wide range of effects, including sedative-like effects that may seem similar to those of opioids. It can also cause stimulant-like effects.
Sedation from kratom can feel similar to the effects of some opioids. It can include relaxation, reduced pain perception, and reduced anxiety. These effects are most likely at higher doses. Some people use it to relax or feel more social.
Low doses of kratom can boost energy and make a person feel more alert, similar to stimulants. These lower doses can also increase heart rate.
Healthcare providers don’t prescribe kratom, but some people use it on their own to try to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. Because kratom doesn’t require a prescription, it can be easier to get and may seem cheaper than medical treatment.
However, there are FDA-approved treatment options for OUD, and they can also reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Some people consider kratom when they have intense opioid withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, fever, or vomiting. Kratom may seem like a quick fix, but there isn’t strong proof that it safely treats opioid withdrawal, and it can create new problems of its own.
Researchers are still studying kratom and whether it can help with opioid withdrawal symptoms. Although kratom is marketed as an opioid withdrawal remedy, current evidence doesn’t show that it safely or effectively treats withdrawal. Instead, research suggests kratom may make the problem worse by causing addiction and withdrawal symptoms of its own.
Researchers caution that people can develop a kratom addiction. Some commercially available kratom products can have high levels of addictive chemicals that may lead to cravings.
Kratom may have more risks than benefits for managing opioid withdrawal. Here are some known risks:
You can develop a physical dependence on kratom, just as you can develop opioid dependence. The FDA warns about the risk of dependence, addiction, and misuse of kratom. If you continue using opioids, you may end up with dependence on both opioids and kratom at the same time.
If you use kratom for a while to manage opioid withdrawal, you may have separate but similar withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking kratom. Kratom withdrawal symptoms can include mild to moderate insomnia, muscle aches, diarrhea, and restless arms and legs.
If those symptoms sound familiar, it’s not a coincidence. Kratom withdrawal symptoms are similar to opioid withdrawal symptoms because both drugs act on opioid receptors.
Because kratom is unregulated in the United States, the amount and strength of kratom can vary from product to product.
They may be contaminated with substances you didn’t expect, such as heavy metals or disease-causing bacteria like Salmonella.
It can also be hard to know how much kratom you’re taking because the products aren’t closely regulated. You might think you’re taking a small dose, but the active chemicals may be stronger than expected. Taking too much kratom can cause side effects such as tremors, unintentional weight loss, and psychosis.
Like many supplements, kratom can interact with other medications or supplements you take, and some interactions can be dangerous.
Serious side effects, including liver injury and breathing problems, have been reported, and mixing kratom with alcohol or sedatives can be especially risky. Researchers are still studying how kratom interacts with other medications and substances.
Kratom can be dangerous, especially at higher doses or when mixed with other substances. Serious reactions and rare deaths have been reported, and the risk may be higher if kratom is contaminated or combined with alcohol, opioids, or sedating medicines.
Evidence-based treatments for opioid withdrawal work in a few different ways. Some medications are symptom-specific, such as medicines for nausea or diarrhea. There are also non-opioid medicines that can help with withdrawal symptoms.
There are proven treatments for OUD that doctors can prescribe, like buprenorphine pills or injections. Buprenorphine attaches to opioid receptors and can help prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings during recovery.
Methadone is a medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings and can support recovery when taken as prescribed. Another option is naltrexone, which blocks opioid effects and is usually started after detoxification, when a person is opioid-free.
If someone develops kratom dependence, a healthcare provider can help manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Treatment depends on the person, what they’re taking, and what symptoms they have.
If you want to recover from OUD but don’t know where to start, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor may prescribe medications or give you tips for safely managing withdrawal symptoms at home.
Your doctor may also refer you to an addiction treatment program or provide resources to help you access safe addiction care, including counseling.
On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid use disorder, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you talked with your healthcare provider about safe ways to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.
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