It’s all around us today. In convenience stores. Online marketplaces. Gas stations adjacent to energy drinks. Kratom products have become the newest “natural” health and wellness products on the market. Marketing claims state the benefits of energy boosts, pain relief, improved mood, and anxiety alleviation. It’s like a miracle plant! It’s sold as a safe herb. However, here’s what you need to know: Kratom is quickly evolving into one of the most hazardous unregulated substances in America; people have become seriously addicted to it. Others are losing their lives to it.
If you’re not sure if kratom is addictive, whether it’s safe or if a loved one of yours is struggling with it, you need to know what it is and what it does to your brain and body. Let’s dispense with the marketing rhetoric and get to the facts.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia. People in that region have used it for centuries as part of their traditional practices. The leaves contain alkaloid compounds, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that affect opioid receptors in the brain.
Here’s the key thing: those compounds are opioid-like. They work on the same brain receptors that heroin and prescription painkillers work on. This is why kratom produces both stimulant effects at lower doses and sedative effects at higher doses. It’s because it’s functioning as an opioid in your system.
In the United States, kratom is sold as a dietary supplement, which means it’s not regulated by the FDA in the same way as medications. You can buy it online, in head shops, in convenience stores, and sometimes even in gas stations. It comes as powder, tablets, capsules, and extracts and increasingly as beverages. The marketing is slick. The prices are cheap. And the regulatory oversight is practically nonexistent.
100% Confidential Support is Available 24/7
No matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone. Our dedicated team is here to provide a safe, judgment-free space where you can talk openly and honestly. Whether you need emotional support, resources, or just someone to listen.
We’re here for you—completely confidential and always respectful of your privacy. Call us today!
Is Kratom Addictive?
Yes. Kratom is addictive. People who use it regularly develop dependence and addiction. This is now well documented in medical literature and in clinical experience.
According to recent FDA statements, kratom carries risks, including substance use disorder, seizures, and death. The FDA has specifically warned consumers not to use kratom. The DEA lists kratom as a drug and chemical of concern. And multiple medical organizations now warn about kratom addiction.
Here’s what happens neurologically: kratom affects the same opioid receptors that prescription painkillers and heroin affect. When you use it regularly, your brain adapts. Your tolerance goes up. You need more to get the same effect. You start experiencing cravings. And when you stop using it, you experience withdrawal symptoms just like opioid withdrawal.
People who use kratom for just a few weeks can develop dependence. People who use it daily for a few months almost always develop dependence. And the withdrawal is real. Users report anxiety, depression, muscle aches, insomnia, and intense cravings that can last days or weeks.
The concerning part is that many people start using kratom thinking it’s a safe, natural alternative. Some use it to try to quit other opioids. Instead, they end up trading one addiction for another. And now they have a new addiction that’s harder to treat because there’s no standard medical protocol for kratom dependence yet.
Why Kratom is Being Recognized as Dangerous
The evidence has been building for years, but 2025 has been a turning point. Here’s what’s happening now.
In July 2025, the FDA recommended a scheduling action to regulate 7-hydroxymitragynine, one of kratom’s main alkaloids. This is serious. It signals that federal agencies now view kratom as a genuine public health threat. The FDA cited risks of respiratory depression, seizures, liver toxicity, and death. Multiple states have already banned kratom completely. Seven states have outright bans. Twenty-four states have some form of regulation.
From 2015 to 2025, kratom-related emergency department visits and poison control calls increased by approximately 1,200 percent. That’s not a gradual increase. That’s an explosion. In 2024 and 2025, the surge has become especially marked. We’re talking about thousands of people seeking emergency care because of kratom.
Deaths related to kratom are being documented. There have been wrongful death lawsuits across the country. Dozens of them. People have died from kratom alone and from kratom combined with other substances. Some deaths have been naloxone-responsive, confirming the opioid nature of the substance.
The Problem with Concentrated Kratom Products
One reason kratom has become particularly dangerous recently is the rise of concentrated kratom products. These are extracts, beverages, and specially processed products that concentrate the alkaloids far beyond what you’d get from traditional kratom leaf.
Traditional whole-leaf kratom contains a balanced mixture of alkaloids. This natural balance provides some built-in safeguards against excessive consumption. Concentrated products eliminate these safeguards. They’re dramatically more potent. Some beverages contain 20 times the alkaloid concentration of traditional leaf.
This potency escalation creates multiple problems. Higher potency means higher addiction potential. It means greater overdose risk. It means more severe withdrawal. It means more psychiatric symptoms. And it means that users quickly escalate their doses, chasing the effect.
Need help breaking free from kratom dependence?
Contact Orlando Treatment Solutions
How Kratom Addiction Develops
Understanding how kratom addiction develops helps you recognize when someone might be at risk.
First use: Someone tries kratom marketed as a natural supplement. Maybe for pain. Maybe for energy. Maybe because a friend recommended it. Or because they saw it marketed as a treatment for anxiety. The effects feel good. It might reduce pain. It might provide energy or relaxation depending on the dose.
Regular use: They like the effects, so they use it again. And again. They start using it daily. Maybe for pain relief. Maybe for mood. Maybe because they enjoy the sensation. Their body begins adapting to the presence of the substance. This is tolerance developing.
Escalating doses: As tolerance builds, they need more kratom to get the same effect. They increase their dose. They might switch to a more concentrated product to get stronger effects. Or they increase their frequency. What started as occasional use becomes daily use. Daily use becomes multiple times daily.
Dependence development: After weeks or months of regular use, they reach a point where their body has adapted to the substance being present. Now they experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop or reduce. Anxiety. Muscle pain. Insomnia. Cravings. They realize they can’t just stop using.
Full addiction: By this point, they’re using kratom to feel normal, not to feel good. They might have tried to quit multiple times and failed. They might be hiding their use from family. They might be experiencing negative consequences from their use, but they continue anyway.
Medical Complications of Kratom Addiction
Beyond addiction itself, kratom causes serious psychiatric and medical problems.
Psychosis, mania, and paranoia have been documented in kratom users. These psychiatric effects seem especially pronounced in people with pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities. Someone with bipolar disorder might experience manic episodes. Someone with an anxiety disorder might develop psychotic symptoms. Someone without mental health issues might suddenly develop these symptoms while using kratom.
Seizures have been reported and documented. Liver damage has been reported. Kidney problems have been documented. Respiratory depression has occurred. Heart rate and blood pressure elevations have been noted.
Many of these effects are dose-dependent. Concentrated products pose higher risks than traditional leaves. Drug interactions are common and can be severe, especially when kratom is combined with other opioids, benzodiazepines, or other depressants.
If someone is pregnant and using kratom, the baby can be born with withdrawal symptoms and require medical treatment.
Withdrawal from Kratom
Kratom withdrawal is real and can be intense. It’s not as dangerous as alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, but it’s significantly more difficult than many people expect.
Typical withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, muscle aches, insomnia, sweating, tremors, irritability, and intense cravings. The severity and duration depend on how much kratom was being used, for how long, and individual factors.
Withdrawal can last days or weeks. For some people, symptoms persist for a month or longer. The psychological symptoms, especially cravings and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), can be the most difficult part.
The challenge is that there’s no standard medical protocol for treating kratom withdrawal yet. Some treatment providers use medications developed for opioid dependence, like buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone. These sometimes help, though kratom’s unique alkaloid profile means they don’t work the same way they do for traditional opioid addiction.
Kratom vs. Other Opioids
Understanding how kratom compares to other opioids helps clarify its danger level:
Factor | Kratom | Heroin | Prescription Opioids | Alcohol |
Legal Status | Mostly unregulated | Schedule I controlled substance | Schedule II controlled substance | Legal for adults |
Addiction Potential | High | Extremely high | High | Moderate-high |
Withdrawal Severity | Moderate to severe | Severe | Severe | Potentially life-threatening |
Overdose Risk | Moderate and rising | Extreme | High | High |
Medical Oversight | Virtually none | Medical protocols exist | Medical protocols exist | Medical protocols exist |
Purity/Quality Control | None | Variable on street | FDA controlled | Regulated industry |
Psychiatric Effects | Documented (psychosis, paranoia) | Documented | Documented | Documented |
Cost | Inexpensive | Varies by location | Varies (prescription) | Inexpensive |
Prevalence of Addiction | Rising rapidly | Declining slightly | Stable but high | Very common |
Treatment Availability | Emerging | Well established | Well established | Well established |
Kratom’s lack of regulation and medical oversight actually makes it more dangerous in some ways than substances that are controlled.
Red Flags of Kratom Addiction
If you’re concerned about kratom use in yourself or someone you care about, watch for these signs:
- Someone is using kratom daily and can’t seem to stop or reduce it.
- They’re increasing their doses or switching to stronger products.
- They experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, body aches, or insomnia when they try to quit or reduce.
- They’re spending significant money on kratom.
- They’re neglecting other responsibilities to use kratom or recover from kratom use.
- They’re experiencing personality changes, increased anxiety, or paranoid thinking.
- They’re using kratom despite knowing it’s causing health problems.
- They’re isolated from friends and family, especially if those people expressed concern about their kratom use.
- They’re getting kratom from multiple sources or ordering it online frequently.
- They’re lying about how much they’re using or hiding their use.
- They’re mixing kratom with other substances, especially other opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.
The presence of multiple signs suggests addiction is likely.
Struggling to regain balance? Contact Orlando Treatment Solutions for confidential help.
Getting Help at Orlando Treatment Solutions
Orlando Treatment Solutions understands that kratom addiction is a real, serious condition. Unlike kratom’s largely unregulated status, our treatment is evidence-based, professionally delivered, and customized to your needs.
Our services include assessment and diagnosis of kratom use disorder and any co-occurring conditions. Medical detoxification to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. Individual therapy addressing underlying issues driving kratom use. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy changes thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use. Group therapy for peer support and connection. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management if needed. Dual diagnosis treatment if mental health conditions are present. Family therapy involves loved ones in recovery.
If you’re concerned about kratom use in yourself or someone you care about, reach out. Call us at (321) 415-3213 or visit our contact page to discuss your situation. Our team is available 24/7, and all conversations are completely confidential.
References
https://www.fda.gov/
FDA Warnings and Kratom: What Does It Mean for You?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12799471/
https://www.cbsnews.com/
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8860177/
https://kevinmd.com/
https://www.unthealth.edu/
https://www.psychiatry.org/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical recommendation. For a personalized assessment, please consult a licensed mental health professional. To learn more about evidence-based mental health and addiction treatment in Florida, visit orlandotreatmentsolutions.com or call (321) 415-3213.
FAQs About Kratom
What does kratom do to the brain long-term?
Frequent and prolonged ingestion of kratom changes the brain chemistry, especially the dopamine and serotonin systems. This may lead to emotional deadness, annoyance and dependency in the long run. The mental capacity can also deteriorate, causing exhaustion and lack of concentration. Gradual restoration of balance, ease tapering, and therapy with supervision.
Does kratom mess with your serotonin?
Yes. Kratom affects the serotonin receptors, which control mood and anxiety. Chronic or excessive use may interfere with serotonin signaling, causing emotional turmoil or depression or sleep disturbances. There is a tendency to revert to these changes after withdrawal under medical advice.
Can kratom trigger mania?
In rare cases, yes. The manic or hypomanic symptoms can be observed in individuals with mood disorders or bipolar disorders after taking kratom. These are excessively high mood, impulsivity or restlessness. Do not use kratom in case you have experienced mania or psychosis.
How long does it take for kratom to relieve anxiety?
When properly dosed and strained, users usually note a sense of calmness in 15-30 minutes after taking it. But this is a short-lived relief that can result in relapse anxiety after the drugs have taken effect. Therapy or medical supervision is necessary in the long run of anxiety management.
What are the negative effects of kratom?
The adverse effects are irritability, restlessness, depression, and brain fog. Physically, it can make people feel nausea, sweat, and have insomnia. Long-term use is a risk factor of dependence and withdrawal. Prolonged exposure is usually manifested by emotional flatness and anxiety.
