Treatment for kratom abuse in a contingency-management-based MAT setting: A case series

Seth Kalin, MD; Salaahuddin Dakhlalla, MD; Saurabh Bhardwaj, MD

doi:10.5055/jom.2020.0594

Authors

Seth Kalin, MD
Salaahuddin Dakhlalla, MD
Saurabh Bhardwaj, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2020.0594

Keywords:

kratom, medication-assisted treatment, opiate use disorder, contingency management

Abstract

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant extract that exhibits opioid agonistic activity at the μ-opioid receptor. The use of this substance has increased recently due to widespread local availability across the United States (US), primarily at gas stations. Repeated kratom use has been shown to have major adverse effects leading to physiological dependence and addiction similar to other opioids. We used a novel contingency management (CM) program utilizing nonmonetary reinforcers along with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine in an office-based setting to treat kratom use disorder in two cases. MAT with buprenorphine in a CM-based setting was found to be an effective strategy for treating kratom use disorder.

Author Biographies

Seth Kalin, MD

House Officer, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

Salaahuddin Dakhlalla, MD

House Officer, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

Saurabh Bhardwaj, MD

Medical Director, Addiction Program, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

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