Understanding Kratom, Addiction, and Why People Use It

Kratom addiction is on the rise due its availability and overall lack of knowledge that it can cause physical dependence. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia with a long history of traditional use for pain relief, mood enhancement, and boosting energy. Today, it’s often used in the U.S. as a self-treatment for chronic pain or to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms

Proponents report dual-stage effects:

• Low doses: mild stimulant-like energy and alertness.
• Higher doses: sedative, opioid-like effects, leading to relaxation or euphoria.

However, the FDA maintains that kratom is not approved for any medical use, citing insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness.

Kratom Addiction Risks and Side Effects

Possible Perceived Benefits:

• Alleviating muscle/joint pain and stress.
• Easing withdrawal symptoms.
• Improving mood or mental energy for some individuals.

Documented Risks & Dangers:

• Kratom interacts with opioid receptors, raising the risk of dependence and withdrawal similar to that of opioids.
• Adverse effects include nausea, liver toxicity, respiratory suppression, seizures, and even death—especially when combined with other substances.
• Product quality concerns: Contaminants like heavy metals or pathogens (e.g., salmonella) have been reported in kratom products.
• Reports highlight cases of rapid addiction—from daily “energy shots” at gas stations to increasingly compulsive use.

Kraton: Current Regulatory Landscape & Treatment Strategies

• Kratom is largely unregulated
• The FDA continues to warn against kratom use due to serious health risks, including substance use disorder (SUD), liver injury, and seizure.
• In treatment settings, Kratom withdrawal is addressed, and patients are given coping tools to help them maintain sobriety

Kratom Addiction: The Role of 12-Step Recovery

For individuals struggling with kratom addiction, the 12-step recovery model—as practiced in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)—can provide a clear and structured path toward lasting sobriety. While medical support may be necessary to manage withdrawal, peer-based recovery offers the fellowship, accountability, and spiritual growth that many people need to stay clean.

Key ways 12-step recovery supports kratom sobriety:

• Admission and honesty: Step 1—acknowledging powerlessness over kratom and recognizing the unmanageability it’s created.
• Peer support: NA meetings welcome people recovering from all substances, including kratom, and provide shared understanding from others who have lived through similar struggles.
• Accountability: Sponsorship and step work create a structure for growth and keep individuals engaged in recovery, rather than isolated.
• Spiritual framework: While not tied to any specific religion, the 12-step model emphasizes connecting with a higher power of one’s own understanding, offering hope and meaning beyond substance use.
• Daily practices: AA and NA encourage service work, meditation, gratitude, and community—practical tools for managing cravings and staying sober one day at a time.

Many residential recovery programs introduce clients to AA and NA meetings early in treatment to create continuity after discharge. By engaging with a fellowship and working the steps, individuals can build a support system that sustains recovery long after detox or treatment ends.

Can Kratom Addiction Lead to Overdose?

Yes, kratom overdose is possible, and in some cases, it can be fatal. Because kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, taking high doses can cause dangerous side effects such as slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, liver damage, or coma. The risk of kratom overdose increases when it is mixed with alcohol, opioids, or sedatives, but even using large amounts of kratom alone can be life-threatening. Another concern is that kratom products are unregulated, meaning their strength and purity can vary widely, making it easy to consume more than intended. Understanding the real risk of kratom overdose and potential death is essential for anyone considering its use, especially in recovery or as a self-treatment option.

The False Sense of Safety from Gas Station Kratom

Because kratom is often sold openly at gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores, many people assume it is safe. This availability creates a dangerous false sense of security, leading users to believe kratom is as harmless as an energy drink or over-the-counter supplement.

In reality, kratom is an unregulated substance with unpredictable potency, contamination risks, and serious health dangers—including addiction, overdose, and even death. Just because kratom is easy to buy at a gas station does not mean it is safe or medically approved.

Reaching Out for Help with Kratom Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with kratom addiction, know that you are not alone—and help is available. Many people start using kratom as a way to cope with pain, anxiety, or withdrawal from other substances, only to find themselves dependent on it.

Signs of kratom addiction can include needing higher doses to feel the same effect, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using, or being unable to cut back despite negative consequences. Reaching out to a trusted medical professional, addiction specialist, or recovery center can make all the difference. Treatment options may include supervised detox, counseling, and long-term recovery support tailored to your needs. Breaking free from kratom addiction is possible, and the first step is asking for help.

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach Offers Hope for People Struggling with Addiction

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach offers virtual counseling and residential recovery programs to help individuals break free from the chains of addiction. Contact us today so one of our team members can discuss the path to the freedom and life you deserve!