Past-Year Kratom Use in the U.S.: Estimates From a Nationally Representative Sample

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Kratom, a plant with partial opioid agonist effects, is increasingly used for opioid withdrawal symptoms.
• Kratom use is linked to poisonings, often in conjunction with other drugs, but its prevalence in the general U.S. population is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of past-year kratom use in the general U.S. population.
• To identify correlates associated with kratom use.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative sample of U.S. individuals aged 12 years and older (N=56,136).
• Estimation of prevalence and correlates of past-year kratom use.
• Data analysis was conducted in 2020.

Main Results:

• An estimated 0.7% of U.S. individuals reported past-year kratom use.
• Past-year prescription opioid use disorder was associated with significantly increased odds of kratom use (AOR=3.20).
• Past-year use of cannabis, cocaine, and prescription stimulants (with or without use disorder) were also associated with higher odds of kratom use.

Conclusions:

• Kratom use is notably prevalent among individuals with prescription opioid use disorder and those using other illicit drugs.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the motivations behind kratom consumption and the potential risks of its co-use with other substances.