Kratom Addiction Treatment: What Families in Jacksonville Should Know

Kratom is sold in shops and online, so many families assume it’s safe. Some people do have trouble stopping. Here is what is known, what isn’t, and where to start.

Find the Right Level of Care

Need help tonight?

Emergency: call 911 · Crisis: call or text 988

A family member at a kitchen table with a phone and a notepad, making calls about treatment

This page is general information, not medical advice. Please don’t stop or change any medication or substance without talking to a doctor first.

What kratom is

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree called Mitragyna speciosa. It is sold as powder, capsules, drinks and extracts. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says there are no uses for kratom approved by the FDA, and that the FDA has warned consumers not to use kratom products because of possible harmful effects.

NIDA says kratom is not on the federal list of controlled substances, but the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration lists it as a “drug of concern.”

What Florida law says

Under the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act (Florida Statutes section 500.92), it is unlawful to sell or give any kratom product to a person under 21. Laws about kratom and kratom extracts can change, and some local rules may differ, so check current rules before relying on them.

Signs a family may notice

Signs of a problem

Using kratom several times a day, every day
Spending more and more on it
Feeling unable to get through work or the day without it
Using it to manage opioid withdrawal on their own

When they stop or cut back

Aches, restlessness or trouble sleeping
Irritability, low mood or anxiety
Strong cravings
Going back to use just to feel normal

Some people use kratom to self-treat opioid withdrawal. If your loved one also uses opioids, keep naloxone (Narcan) at home and talk to a doctor about proven medications.

Withdrawal and why medical advice matters

NIDA says withdrawal and substance use disorder symptoms related to kratom have not been studied much, but some people who use kratom report having them. There is no specific kratom diagnosis in the main psychiatric manual (the DSM-5), though researchers have described patterns similar to other substance use disorders.

Kratom products also vary a lot. Powders, capsules, drinks and concentrated extracts can differ in strength, and labels may not tell the whole story. That makes it hard to know how much someone is really taking.

Because so little is known, a doctor’s guidance matters. Your loved one should talk to a doctor before stopping, especially if they use a lot, use extracts, or also use opioids, alcohol or other drugs.

Treatment options

NIDA says there are currently no approved medical therapies for kratom withdrawal or kratom-related substance use disorder. Researchers have reported trying some medications in limited cases, but NIDA says stronger studies are still needed.

In practice, care often looks like treatment for other substances:

A medical assessment to check overall health and any other substances
Counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to manage cravings and stress
Treatment for opioid use disorder if your loved one started kratom to cope with opioid withdrawal. See our medication-assisted treatment guide.
Mental health care for anxiety, pain or depression that kratom may have been covering up

Which level of care usually fits

	Often a fit when…	Learn more
Outpatient care	Use is moderate and they’re stable at home	Outpatient care
Detox with a doctor	Heavy daily use, extracts, or other substances too	Detox
IOP	They need more structure while living at home	IOP

Outpatient programs near Jacksonville

Free listings, checked against Florida DCF. Ask each program whether it has treated kratom use before.