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Kratom Category: Opioids

(also called: krypton, mitragyna speciosa, mitragynine)

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree, grown in South East Asia. It is an opiate, from the same family as heroin and morphine. You can get it in the form of leaves, powder and resin. You chew or smoke it or make it into a tea. Kratom may be used in the future to treat heroin addicts.

Short term effects

• You may get stimulating (‘upper’) effects at low doses and sedative (‘downer’) effects at higher doses
• Negative effects include headaches, dry mouth, needing to urinate more often, loss of appetite and constipation

Long term effects

• You can develop dark patches of skin on your cheeks
• Weight loss
• Psychosis – when you lose contact with reality

Other dangers

• Can be dangerous if you use it with other substances including cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, heroin or MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

If you are pregnant

Do not use if you are pregnant as we don’t know enough about the risks to your baby.

Addictive

You can become dependent on kratom if you use it regularly.

Withdrawal

If you use it often you may get withdrawal symptoms such as muscle aches, irritability, a runny nose, diarrhoea and muscle jerking.

How long does it stay in your system?

Kratom will show up in a urine test for about six hours. (The length of time depends on the test used, the amount you take, if you have other medical conditions and your own metabolism. Please use this figure as a guide only)

What help is available?

• Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous
• Counselling or psychotherapy
• Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
• Support from your doctor
• Residential treatment programmes (clinics)
• Aftercare
• One to one or group family support
• Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area

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