Treatment for kratom abuse in a contingency-management-based MAT setting: A case series

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant extract that exhibits opioid agonistic activity at the µ-opioid receptor. The use of this substance has increased recently due to widespread local availability across the United States, primarily at gas stations. Repeated kratom use has been shown to have major adverse effects leading to physiological dependence and addiction similar to other opioids. We used a novel contingency management (CM) program utilizing nonmonetary reinforcers along with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine in an office-based setting to treat kratom use disorder in two cases. MAT with buprenorphine in a CM-based setting was found to be an effective strategy for treating kratom use disorder.