On their own, both alcohol and kratom can be extremely dangerous. When a person abuses both of these substances at the same time, their risk of serious harm can increase significantly.
Jump to Section
Understanding Kratom and Alcohol
To get a better understanding of the dangers of combining kratom with alcohol, it can help to review a few basic facts about each substance. We’ll start with the more widely known of the two.
Alcohol is one of the most frequently used mind-altering substances in the United States and throughout the rest of the world. Alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism) is also one of the most common types of addiction.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than 221 million Americans aged 12 and above have consumed alcohol at least once. This accounts for about 78.5% of the population in this age range.
- The NIAAA has also reported that about 22.5 million people aged 12 and above (or about 10.5% of this demographic group) exhibited symptoms that are consistent with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder in the previous 12 months.
- Data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that alcohol consumption contributes to three million deaths (or more than 5% of fatalities across the globe) every year.
Kratom is the name of a tree that is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Kratom is also the name of a drug that is derived from the leaves of this tree.
Individuals who ingest smaller amounts of kratom often feel stimulant-like effects, similar to what someone might experience if they used cocaine or amphetamine. In larger doses, kratom can act as a sedative, with effects similar to those of opioids.
Workers in Southeast Asia have used kratom since the 1800s, primarily as a means of overcoming fatigue and increasing their energy. Use of this drug in the U.S. was virtually unheard of until the early 2000s – yet by 2015, it had spread to the point that it was identified as a potential public health concern.
In the United States, there is no federal law prohibiting or regulating the sale of kratom. However, several states and some cities have banned the drug. In locations where kratom is legal, it is often marketed as a dietary supplement.
The Dangers of Mixing Kratom and Alcohol Together
It is not a good idea to mix kratom and alcohol.
Though alcohol initially can have a stimulating effect, it is actually a depressant. This means that it can slow the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), which can cause impaired coordination, shallow breathing, and diminished cognition.
As we noted in the previous section, small amounts of kratom can also have stimulant-like properties, but in larger doses the drug will act as a sedative, with effects that can include slowed heart rate and respiration.
The combined sedative/depressant effects of these two drugs can be catastrophic. If a person drinks too much or takes too much kratom (or both), they risk a potentially fatal overdose. Among those who do not overdose, the impact on their cognition, perception, and coordination can put them at risk for physical injuries due to slips, falls, and reckless behaviors.
Why Do People Mix Kratom With Alcohol?
People who mix kratom with alcohol often do so for one of the following two reasons:
- They are attempting to amplify the sedative or depressant-like effects of the drugs by combining them.
- They are attempting to counteract the depressant effects of alcohol with the stimulating effects of kratom, so that they can continue to drink.
Both of these attempts can expose a person to considerable harm. As a person drinks more alcohol or consumes more kratom, they can easily lose track of how much they have already ingested, which can increase their risk for overdose and other negative outcomes.
How Does Kratom Use Tie Into Alcoholism?
Using substances in a manner that is clearly hazardous, such as combining alcohol with other drugs, is one of the criteria for addiction as established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Also, if someone feels the need to use kratom in order to intensify the effects that they experience when they drink, this could be a sign that they have developed tolerance, which is another classic sign of alcoholism.
Even if someone has not yet become addicted to alcohol, the decision to engage in polysubstance abuse with kratom or any other substances can be a warning sign that they are headed down a dangerous path of increased drug use. The longer this behavior continues, the greater the likelihood becomes that the individual will develop alcoholism and/or kratom addiction.
Getting Help for Kratom and Alcohol Addiction
If you have become addicted to kratom, alcohol, or any other substance, you may feel like no one could possibly understand what you’re going through or care enough to help.
Please know that this is not true.
Addictions are treatable conditions. When you make the courageous decision to get help at Phoenix Rising Recovery, you can end your substance abuse and build a solid foundation for your sober future.
Our rehab center in Palm Springs, California, is a safe and welcoming place where you can work in close collaboration with a team of dedicated experts. Our treatment professionals will take the time to get to know you as a unique and valuable individual, so that we can be sure you are receiving the focused services that will best prepare you for long-term success.
To learn more about how we can help, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact pagev or call us today.
Related Posts
