Kratom and the US Opioid Crisis: A Help or a Harm?Kratom and the US Opioid Crisis: A Help or a Harm?
Addiction Medicine Made Easy
Dr. Casey Grover, Dr. Sonya Del Tredici, and Dr. John Keenan discuss Kratom's role in the opioid crisis, its dual identity, and its potential as a harm reduction tool.
39:08•14 Oct 2024
Kratom: Friend or Foe in the Opioid Crisis?
Episode Overview
- Kratom has both stimulant and opioid-like properties.
- Patients often don't disclose Kratom use unless specifically asked.
- Kratom withdrawal can include mood symptoms like anxiety and agitation.
- There is a lack of regulation and consistent information about Kratom.
- Kratom may be used as a harm reduction tool but carries risks.
“Kratom: at least it's not fentanyl.”
Ever wondered about the controversial substance Kratom and its role in the opioid crisis? In this episode of 'Addiction Medicine Made Easy', Dr. Casey Grover teams up with Dr. Sonya Del Tredici and Dr. John Keenan from the Addiction Medicine Journal Club to unpack the complexities of Kratom. They dive into its dual identity as both a stimulant and an opioid-like substance, its traditional roots, and why it's become so popular.
The trio shares their experiences treating patients who use Kratom, discussing the challenges and nuances of its withdrawal symptoms compared to opioids. They also explore the potential of Kratom as a harm reduction tool for opioid users, while highlighting the risks due to its unregulated status. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about Kratom’s impact on addiction medicine and the ongoing opioid crisis. Tune in to get a balanced view from experts in the field.
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