BMJ Case Rep. 2025 Jun 15;18(6):e265834. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2025-265834.
ABSTRACT
Kratom is an herbal product derived from Mitragyna speciosa which, depending on the dose, has stimulant and opioid-like effects and is increasingly being used recreationally to self-medicate symptoms of anxiety and depression. This case describes a man in his 30 s who presented to a community drug and alcohol service seeking support for problematic Kratom use, which he started using to try and manage obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and low mood. Despite attempts to reduce his use, he was unable to discontinue Kratom use independently. Initiation of low-dose sublingual buprenorphine led to complete abstinence within 3 weeks. This case highlights not only the potential use of low-dose buprenorphine to manage Kratom withdrawal but also the complexity in managing co-existent mental health disorders in addiction services, emphasising the importance of psychiatry within a multidisciplinary approach.
PMID:40518266 | DOI:10.1136/bcr-2025-265834
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