Kratom for Chronic Pain: When Pain Relief Starts to Feel Like Dependence
Many people who use kratom for chronic pain are not trying to “get high.” They are trying to function, work, sleep, take care of family, and get through the day with less pain. That matters. Pain is real, and people often turn to kratom after other options have not helped enough, were hard to access, caused side effects, or felt risky.
At the same time, kratom can become its own problem. Some people start with occasional use for pain and later find they need it every day to avoid feeling sick, anxious, restless, or unable to sleep. The goal is not to dismiss your pain. The goal is to understand the whole pattern: pain, kratom use, withdrawal, mood, sleep, opioid history, and what a safer treatment plan may look like.
Medtriq provides telehealth-first substance-use treatment for adults across Washington State. If kratom has become hard to control, you can start with an intake and talk with a provider about what is happening.
Why people with chronic pain try kratom
People may try kratom because it is easy to find, marketed as natural, and sometimes presented online as a safer alternative to prescription opioids. Others try it because they are tired of pain, worried about opioid medications, or unable to find a pain-treatment plan that feels workable.
Some surveys and clinical reports describe people using kratom for pain, anxiety, depression, opioid withdrawal, or a mix of reasons. That does not prove kratom is a safe or effective long-term pain treatment. It does show why the conversation needs to be practical and respectful. People often start kratom because they are trying to solve a real problem.
What the evidence says about kratom and pain
Kratom contains alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that can interact with opioid receptors. Some people report pain relief, and one small controlled study found that kratom increased pain tolerance in regular users under a laboratory cold-pressor test. That kind of study is useful, but it is not the same as proving kratom is safe or effective for chronic pain.
FDA has not approved kratom as a treatment for pain, anxiety, depression, opioid withdrawal, opioid use disorder, or any other medical condition. NCCIH also describes the evidence base as limited and notes safety concerns, including dependence and withdrawal.
In plain language: people may feel that kratom helps their pain, but kratom is not an established medical treatment for chronic pain. If daily use has become difficult to stop, it deserves medical attention.
How kratom can become dependence
Kratom dependence can build gradually. At first, a person may use it only when pain is worse. Over time, the body may become used to it. The person may need higher amounts, dose more often, or feel uncomfortable when a dose is delayed.
Warning signs include:
- Using kratom every day or nearly every day.
- Taking more than you intended.
- Needing kratom in the morning to function.
- Feeling anxious, restless, sweaty, achy, chilled, nauseated, or unable to sleep when you cut back.
- Using kratom mainly to avoid withdrawal rather than only for pain.
- Switching to stronger extracts, enhanced products, or 7-OH products.
- Feeling stuck because you are afraid your pain will come back if you stop.
This can be especially hard when the original pain problem is still present. A treatment plan should not pretend pain will disappear just because kratom use is addressed.
Why stopping can be complicated when pain is still there
For people with chronic pain, stopping kratom can create two overlapping fears: fear of withdrawal and fear of pain returning. Both are understandable. Some people try to quit abruptly and then restart because the discomfort becomes too intense. Others taper repeatedly but cannot get below a certain dose.
Treatment should look at both sides of the problem. Your provider may ask about the pain condition, current medical care, past opioid exposure, other medications, sleep, anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and what happens when you miss kratom. Some patients may need coordination with primary care, pain-focused care, physical therapy, or other medical specialists while substance-use treatment addresses dependence and withdrawal.
How Medtriq evaluates kratom use
Medtriq does not treat kratom use with a one-size-fits-all plan. Evaluation may include:
- What type of kratom product you use: powder, capsules, extracts, drinks, tablets, enhanced products, or 7-OH products.
- Dose, frequency, and how long you have been using it.
- Whether you have withdrawal symptoms between doses.
- Whether use has increased over time.
- Whether you have current or past opioid use.
- Whether pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, trauma symptoms, ADHD, or other concerns are part of the picture.
- Alcohol, benzodiazepine, stimulant, cannabis, or other substance use.
- Medical history, medications, safety concerns, and treatment goals.
After assessment, your provider can discuss options that fit your situation. Some people may need taper planning and supportive follow-up. Some may need treatment of co-occurring mental health symptoms. Some may need medication options discussed when clinically appropriate. Some may need a higher level of care or coordination with other clinicians.
Can medication help with kratom dependence?
Sometimes. There are no universally accepted formal guidelines for kratom use disorder, and the evidence is still developing. Published case reports, case series, and reviews describe buprenorphine/naloxone as a possible treatment option for some people with kratom dependence or kratom-related opioid-like withdrawal.
That does not mean buprenorphine is automatic or right for everyone. It means medication may be part of an individualized clinical discussion after your provider understands your kratom use, withdrawal symptoms, pain history, other substances, medical risks, and goals.
Telehealth-first care across Washington
Kratom use for pain is often private, and many people feel embarrassed before asking for help. Telehealth can make it easier to start the conversation from a private location that works for you.
Medtriq serves adults across Washington State through telehealth-first care. Local patients may also have access to the University Place office when an in-person visit is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Is kratom safe for chronic pain?
Kratom is not FDA-approved for chronic pain, and the evidence for long-term pain treatment is limited. Some people report pain relief, but kratom can also cause tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, side effects, product-safety problems, and serious adverse events. If you are using kratom regularly for pain and feel unable to stop, it is worth getting assessed.
Can kratom cause withdrawal if I started it for pain?
Yes. Dependence can happen even when someone started kratom for a practical reason like chronic pain. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, sweating, chills, body aches, stomach upset, diarrhea, cravings, and low mood. Experiences vary, especially depending on product type, dose, and duration of use.
Why do people use kratom instead of pain medication?
People may use kratom because they are worried about opioids, have had difficulty accessing pain treatment, want something they perceive as natural, or feel they have run out of workable options. Those reasons deserve to be taken seriously. Treatment should acknowledge the pain while also addressing the risks of daily kratom use.
Can kratom become addictive even if I am not using opioids?
Yes. Kratom can produce opioid-like effects and can lead to tolerance, dependence, cravings, and withdrawal. A history of opioid use may increase concern, but kratom dependence can also occur in people who started kratom for pain, mood, anxiety, sleep, or energy.
What if I am afraid my pain will come back if I stop kratom?
Tell your provider. That fear is common and important. A safer plan may need to address kratom withdrawal and the pain condition at the same time. Medtriq can assess substance-use concerns and coordinate with other medical care when chronic pain is part of the picture.
Can Suboxone or buprenorphine help with kratom dependence?
Buprenorphine/naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Suboxone, has been described in published medical literature as a possible option for some people with kratom dependence or opioid-like withdrawal. Whether it is appropriate depends on your full evaluation. It is not automatic and it is not the only possible approach.
Is kratom legal in Washington?
The legal status of kratom and related products can change and may differ from 7-OH or concentrated products. FDA states that kratom is not approved for any medical use and is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement or food additive, even though kratom products may still be sold in many places. If legal status is part of why you are worried about access or withdrawal, read more on our Kratom and 7-OH Legal Status page.
Can Medtriq help if I use kratom for chronic pain and anxiety?
Yes. Many people use kratom for more than one reason. Medtriq can evaluate substance-use concerns along with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, ADHD, trauma symptoms, opioid history, and other factors that may be keeping the cycle going.
Can kratom treatment happen by telehealth?
In many cases, yes. Medtriq is telehealth-first for adults across Washington State. Whether telehealth is appropriate depends on your assessment, safety needs, medications, substance-use pattern, and clinical situation.