Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has been traditionally used in Southeast Asia for its stimulant and analgesic properties, but over the past two decades, it has gained attention as a potential aid for managing addiction, particularly opioid dependence. Scientific interest in kratom's role in addiction stems from its unique alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects similar to opioids but reportedly with a lower risk of respiratory depression.

Several surveys and case reports suggest that individuals use kratom to self-manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal and to reduce dependence on prescription or illicit opioids. A handful of observational studies and user reports published in peer-reviewed journals indicate that kratom may alleviate withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and cravings. However, there is a lack of robust clinical trials directly evaluating kratom’s efficacy and safety for addiction treatment, and concerns about dependency and adverse effects exist.

Major health organizations, including the FDA and DEA in the United States, have issued warnings about kratom due to potential risks and insufficient evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness. In summary, while there is some preliminary scientific evidence and significant anecdotal use for addiction support, the research is not strong or definitive, and kratom’s use for this purpose remains controversial.