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Kratom Overdose Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

What Is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a psychoactive botanical substance derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia and certain areas of Africa. Kratom has long been used in traditional medicine, but more recently, the drug has seen more widespread application throughout the world for medicinal and recreational purposes. It may be used for issues such as:1

  • Intestinal problems.
  • Muscle pains.
  • Coughing.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Opioid withdrawal.

Is Kratom Safe?

Some of the active chemical components in kratom bind to and activate opioid receptors the brain, which helps explain the substance’s ability to elicit pain relief and euphoria.1 The full pharmacologic properties of kratom aren’t fully understood, and there remains a great deal of debate over the safety of the drug. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has identified kratom as an emerging drug of abuse. This is due in large part to numerous studies having found that kratom use is associated with psychosis, seizures, and even death. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that kratom was involved in 15 deaths from 2014 to 2016.2 However, there are no published studies about how much kratom it takes to overdose, so it is difficult to determine how much is safe to consume.1

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs. If you or a loved one is struggling with kratom abuse or addiction, please give us a call today free at to speak with one of our treatment support specialists. We are available around the clock to help you find the best kratom rehab program in your area.


Signs and Symptoms of Kratom Overdose

Kratom has been on the DEA’s list of drugs of concern for several years because of its potential for toxicity and overdose.2 Because of the number of fatalities associated with its use, the United States is considering scheduling kratom as an illicit drug.2

In a study conducted on kratom use and overdose, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used reports from the National Poison Data System to investigate the prevalence of kratom use based on the number of kratom-related incidents that resulted in poison control calls. Between 2010 and 2015, calls to poison centers associated with kratom use increased from 26 in 2010 to 263 in 2015, and more than 40% of the calls to the poison centers were serious or life-threatening cases.3

People who called the poison centers reported the following signs and symptoms of kratom overdose:3,4

  • Nausea.
  • Tachycardia (fast heart rate).
  • Hypertension.
  • Agitation or irritability.
  • Seizure.
  • Drowsiness.
  • Coma.

Kratom Overdose Risk Factors

Because kratom use appears to be increasing in the United States, and given the unwanted health effects it can have, both users and health care providers should be aware of kratom’s side effects and health risks.5

At a low dose, kratom produces:6

  • Increased energy.
  • Heightened alertness.
  • Talkativeness.
  • Social behavior.

Longer-term kratom use is associated with:6

  • Anorexia.
  • Weight loss.
  • Insomnia.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Constipation.

Consuming large amounts of kratom involves more serious health risks, such as:2

  • Overdose.
  • Psychosis.
  • Seizures.
  • Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.

Risk of Mixing Drugs

While overdosing on kratom alone is of obvious significant concern, the risks of overdose and other adverse effects may be heightened when it is consumed with alcohol or other drugs.4 One case report of a person who went to the emergency room for seizure and a coma following kratom use tested positive for other drugs (including marijuana, antidepressants, and oxycodone) in their system.4

In a dose-dependent fashion, kratom elicits both stimulant and sedative effects. This unusual spectrum of effects makes taking the drug on its own quite unpredictable and potentiates the extreme dangers of mixing it with other drugs—such as benzodiazepines and narcotics.3,6

We know that struggling with a substance use disorder can be overwhelming. This is why we have treatment support specialists available 24/7 to help you find treatment. Please give AAC a call today free at to speak with a member of our support team so that you can move one step closer to overcoming addiction.

Preventing Kratom Overdose

Like other drugs of abuse, kratom use can lead to dependence (which can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug), tolerance, abuse, and addiction.4

Withdrawal symptoms from kratom include:6

  • Muscle aches.
  • Insomnia.
  • Irritability.
  • Hostility.
  • Aggression.
  • Emotional changes.
  • Runny nose.
  • Jerky movements.

Kratom Addiction Treatment Types

If you abuse kratom, the best way to avoid overdose is to first stop taking the drug and then seek out addiction treatment. There are a variety of options available when it comes to drug treatment, so you can find one to fit your needs.

  • Inpatient treatment: Inpatient treatment requires you to live at the treatment facility for the duration of your program. It is an intensive form of treatment that offers a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, relapse prevention classes, and aftercare planning. These programs typically last 30 days to 90 days.
  • Outpatient treatment: As a broad category, outpatient treatment is a relatively less intensive option that provides varying levels of care. Depending on your situation, you could access a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). A PHP program involves treatment in a facility for 4-8 hours a day, 5 days a week, while you continue to live at home. An IOP is less time-intensive, with treatment taking place for approximately 1-2 hours a day, 2 days a week.

Given the lack of research on kratom, there are no therapies that are approved to specifically treat addiction to this drug, so clinicians generally use proven, evidence-based drug treatments.9

No matter where you are in your addiction to kratom, there is help available. Give American Addiction Centers a call today free at to speak with one of our supportive and non-judgmental staff members.

Kratom Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

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