Associations of Lifetime Nonmedical Opioid, Methamphetamine, and Kratom Use Within a Nationally Representative US Sample

Overview

Journal J Psychoactive Drugs

Specialties Pharmacology
Psychiatry

Date 2021 Nov 29

PMID 34842079

Citations 5

Authors

Kirsten E Smith

Jeffrey M Rogers

Justin C Strickland

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Co-use of non-medical opioids (NMO) and methamphetamine is increasing. So too is the use of the psychoactive botanical "kratom," including among people with NMO and methamphetamine use histories. We assessed characteristics associated with respondent groups who reported lifetime methamphetamine and/or kratom use within a nationally representative US sample using 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from respondents reporting lifetime NMO use (diverted prescription opioids, heroin). Weighted prevalence estimates for demographic, mental health, and substance use outcomes were determined. Logistic regression examined associations between group membership and outcomes. Among this sample of respondents with lifetime NMO use, 67.6% (95% CI = 65.6-69.4%) reported only NMO use; 4.6% (3.9-5.4%) reported NMO+Kratom; 24.7% (22.7-26.7%) reported NMO+Methamphetamine; and 3.2% (2.5-3.9%) reported NMO+Methamphetamine+Kratom. Compared to those in the NMO-only group, the NMO+Kratom group was more likely to report past-year serious mental illness (SMI; = 2.27), suicidality (= 1.89), and past-month psychological distress (= 1.88). The NMO+Methamphetamine+Kratom group was more likely to report past-year SMI (= 2.65), past-month psychological distress (= 2.06), and unmet mental health needs (= 2.03); increased odds for drug injection, opioid withdrawal, and perceived treatment need also emerged. Risk factors were observed for all groups but were greatest among those reporting use of all three substances.

Citing Articles

Kratom's Emergence and Persistence Within the US Polydrug Epidemic.

Smith K, Rogers J, Feldman J Curr Addict Rep. 2023; 10(2):262-271.

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Clinical Implications of Kratom () Use: a Literature Review.

Prevete E, Kuypers K, Theunissen E, Esposito G, Ramaekers J, Pasquini M Curr Addict Rep. 2023; 10(2):317-334.

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Examining the paradoxical effects of kratom: a narrative inquiry.

Smith K, Feldman J, Dunn K, McCurdy C, Weiss S, Grundmann O Front Pharmacol. 2023; 14:1174139.

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Correlations of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) use behavior and psychiatric conditions from a cross-sectional survey.

Grundmann O, Veltri C, Morcos S, Smith K, Singh D, Corazza O Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2023; 31(5):963-977.

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