Considering the ongoing addiction epidemic in the United States, you’d think lawmakers and law enforcement would be in favor of any potential treatments. Unfortunately, many of the drugs that could be in use right now as treatments are under-studied and misunderstood. The Drug Enforcement Administration has a history of classifying certain drugs more harshly than their side effects would seem to call for – marijuana, for example – which prevents them from being approved by the Food and Drug Administration and distributed for medical use. One such drug is kratom, a psychoactive herb derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, which has mood-enhancing qualities, can relieve pain, and can act as either a sedative or a stimulant, depending on dosage and the particular strain of the plant.
In 2016, the DEA considered classifying kratom as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and other synthetic opioids that are considered to have no known medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Those plans were shelved after a public backlash, but kratom is on the DEA’s radar once again. In November 2017, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory on kratom, stating that “The FDA knows people are using kratom to treat conditions like pain, anxiety, and depression, which are serious medical conditions that require proper diagnosis and oversight from a licensed health care provider.” Also, the FDA believes that because kratom has been used both as a painkiller and a recreational drug, it bears too close a resemblance to opioids, even though it’s not a narcotic itself.
The FDA used a computer model to determine that kratom has opioid-like qualities, but some researchers have called the model’s accuracy into doubt. Also, studies have shown that while kratom’s active ingredients ― mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine ― do appear to activate opioid receptors, they don’t cause the respiratory depression that can lead to overdose the way opioids do.
Kratom users – of which there are an estimated three to five million in the United States – say that it helped them manage chronic pain where opioids could not. Many claim that its use to treat anxiety and depression has saved their lives. Currently, it’s sold as an herbal supplement, meaning there’s no real regulation or oversight. If the DEA does classify it as Schedule I, it will no longer be able to be sold as such and people will lose all access to the drug. Six states have already banned kratom, for much the same reason as the federal government has given. Many users and people in the industry are concerned that this is going to lead to more people turning to the streets to purchase drugs to deal with their pain or mental disorders.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
