We Need Better Estimates of Kratom Use Prevalence

Abstract

In a report on the kratom-related findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Palamar 1 Palamar JJ. Past-year kratom use in the U.S.: estimates from a nationally representative sample. Am J Prev Med. 2021; 61: 240-245https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.02.004 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar showed that the demographics of kratom users generally replicated the findings of earlier surveys. 2 Grundmann O. Patterns of Kratom use and health impact in the U.S.-results from an online survey. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017; 176: 63-70https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.007 Crossref PubMed Scopus (123) Google Scholar , 3 Garcia-Romeu A Cox DJ Smith KE Dunn KE Griffiths RR. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): user demographics, use patterns, and implications for the opioid epidemic. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020; 208107849https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107849 Crossref PubMed Scopus (40) Google Scholar , 4 Schimmel J Amioka E Rockhill K et al. Prevalence and description of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) use in the United States: a cross-sectional study. Addiction. 2021; 116: 176-181https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15082 Crossref PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar , 5 Prozialeck WC Avery BA Boyer EW et al. Kratom policy: the challenge of balancing therapeutic potential with public safety. Int J Drug Policy. 2019; 70: 70-77https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.003 Crossref PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar , 6 Covvey JR Vogel SM Peckham AM Evoy KE. Prevalence and characteristics of self-reported kratom use in a representative U.S. general population sample. J Addict Dis. 2020; 38: 506-513https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2020.1788914 Crossref PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar Although estimates vary somewhat across studies, all suggest that a majority are aged >30 years, a majority are slightly more male than female, most self-identify as non-Hispanic White with some college education, and a majority are employed.