Kratom Use and Treatment in Washington
Kratom can be confusing. Some people start using it because it seems natural, legal, easy to buy, or less risky than other substances. Others start because they are trying to manage pain, anxiety, low mood, opioid withdrawal, or cravings on their own.
For some people, kratom use stays occasional. For others, it becomes something they have to take every day just to feel normal. If you have tried to cut down and found yourself feeling sick, anxious, restless, or unable to sleep, that does not mean you failed. It may mean your body has become used to kratom and you may need medical support.
Medtriq provides telehealth-first substance-use treatment for adults across Washington State. Care begins with an assessment so your provider can understand what you are taking, how often you are taking it, what happens when you stop, and what kind of support may fit your situation.
What is kratom?
Kratom is a plant called Mitragyna speciosa. Products made from kratom leaves are sold in forms such as powders, capsules, extracts, drinks, and tablets. The best-known kratom alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
People may experience different effects depending on the product, dose, frequency of use, other substances or medications, and their own health history. Some people describe stimulant-like effects. Others describe opioid-like effects such as relaxation, pain relief, sedation, or relief from withdrawal.
Kratom is not approved by the FDA as a treatment for anxiety, depression, pain, opioid withdrawal, opioid use disorder, or any other medical condition. That does not mean your reasons for using it are not real. It means that if kratom has become difficult to control, it is worth talking with a clinician instead of trying to solve it alone.
When kratom use becomes hard to stop
Kratom can lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. This may look different from person to person. Some people notice they need more kratom over time. Some start dosing earlier in the day. Some carry it with them because they are afraid of withdrawal. Others feel stuck in a cycle of stopping, feeling bad, and restarting.
Signs it may be time to seek help include:
- Using kratom every day or nearly every day.
- Taking more than you planned.
- Feeling anxious, restless, irritable, or physically sick when you cut back.
- Waking up and needing kratom to start the day.
- Spending a lot of time thinking about your next dose.
- Using kratom to avoid withdrawal rather than for the original reason you started.
- Continuing to use despite problems with sleep, mood, work, relationships, money, or health.
- Mixing kratom with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, or other substances.
You do not need to wait until things are severe before asking for help. A careful assessment can clarify whether this is mild physical dependence, a substance-use disorder, untreated anxiety or depression, chronic pain, opioid use disorder, or a combination of factors.
What does kratom withdrawal feel like?
Kratom withdrawal is often described as opioid-like, though experiences vary. People may report anxiety, restlessness, irritability, trouble sleeping, sweating, chills, body aches, stomach upset, diarrhea, cravings, low mood, and feeling unable to sit still.
Some people can taper slowly on their own. Others struggle because the discomfort, cravings, or mental health symptoms become too intense. If you have tried to stop and keep returning to use, treatment may help you build a safer and more realistic plan.
How Medtriq approaches kratom treatment
Medtriq does not treat kratom use with a one-size-fits-all approach. The first step is a full evaluation. Your provider may ask about:
- The type of kratom product you use.
- Dose, frequency, and duration of use.
- Whether you use plain leaf, extract, 7-OH products, or other concentrated products.
- Withdrawal symptoms when you cut down.
- Past opioid use or current opioid cravings.
- Alcohol, benzodiazepine, stimulant, cannabis, or other substance use.
- Depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, insomnia, pain, and other health concerns.
- Safety concerns, medications, medical history, and treatment goals.
After the assessment, your provider can discuss treatment options. Depending on your situation, care may include medication management, supportive follow-up, limited therapy availability, help with taper planning, treatment for co-occurring mental health concerns, and referral or coordination with a higher level of care when needed.
Can medication help with kratom withdrawal or kratom addiction?
Sometimes. The evidence is still developing, and there are no universally accepted formal guidelines specifically for kratom use disorder. However, published case reports, case series, and reviews describe the use of buprenorphine/naloxone for some patients with kratom dependence or kratom-related opioid-like withdrawal.
This does not mean everyone who uses kratom needs buprenorphine. It also does not mean medication is automatic. It means medication may be part of the discussion after a provider understands your use pattern, withdrawal symptoms, risks, medical history, and goals.
For some patients, non-buprenorphine options, symptom-focused support, taper planning, or treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, or pain may be more appropriate. Your provider will talk through available options with you.
Why telehealth can help
Kratom use often happens privately, and many people feel embarrassed before they ask for help. Telehealth can make it easier to start that conversation from a private place that works for you.
Medtriq is telehealth-first across Washington State. In many cases, evaluation and follow-up can happen virtually. Local patients may also have access to the University Place office when an in-person visit is appropriate.
You can start with an intake
If you are using kratom every day, worried about withdrawal, or unsure whether your use “counts” as addiction, you can still start with an intake. The point of evaluation is not to judge you. It is to understand what is happening and discuss a treatment path that fits your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can Medtriq help if I am using kratom every day?
Yes. Medtriq can evaluate kratom use as part of substance-use care. Daily use does not automatically mean one specific treatment is needed, but it is a good reason to get assessed, especially if you feel sick or anxious when you miss a dose.
Do I have to stop kratom before my first visit?
Not necessarily. Many people seek care because stopping has been difficult. Your provider will want an honest picture of what you are taking and what happens when you try to reduce it. If stopping suddenly feels unsafe or unrealistic, say that during intake and evaluation.
Can Suboxone help with kratom withdrawal?
Buprenorphine/naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Suboxone, has been described in medical literature as a treatment option for some people with kratom dependence or kratom-related opioid-like withdrawal. Whether it is appropriate depends on your full evaluation. Your provider will discuss options with you rather than assuming one path fits everyone.
What if I use kratom for anxiety or depression?
That is common enough that it deserves a real conversation. Some people use kratom because anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, ADHD, insomnia, or pain have not been fully addressed. Medtriq can evaluate both substance use and mental health concerns so treatment is not focused only on stopping kratom, but also on what kratom may have been helping you cope with.
What if I use kratom for pain?
Tell your provider. Pain can be part of why kratom becomes hard to stop. Medtriq can help assess substance-use concerns and coordinate care when pain, mental health, and withdrawal overlap. Some patients may need additional medical or pain-focused care outside Medtriq as part of a safe plan.
For more detail, see Kratom for Chronic Pain.
Is kratom safer than opioids?
Kratom is sometimes marketed that way, but the answer is not simple. Kratom products vary widely, may contain concentrated alkaloids or contaminants, and can still cause dependence, withdrawal, and serious adverse effects. If you are using kratom to avoid opioids or opioid withdrawal, an evidence-based treatment discussion may be safer than managing it alone.
Will I be judged for using kratom?
No. Many people started kratom because they were trying to solve a real problem with what seemed available at the time. The goal is to understand your situation and help you move toward safer, more stable care.
Can kratom treatment happen by telehealth?
In many cases, yes. Medtriq is telehealth-first for adults across Washington State. Whether telehealth is appropriate for your specific care depends on your assessment, safety needs, medications, and clinical situation.