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Interest in kratom has grown across Ireland in recent years, including here for people living in Dublin. This is because it’s often marketed online as a “natural” or “herbal” supplement, but the risks can be easy to underestimate.
Sometimes, using kratom occasionally can lead to addiction struggles that become hard to manage, as well as health problems.
At Smarmore Castle, we offer inpatient treatment for people struggling with kratom. Our residential programme provides the structure, clinical support, and distance from everyday triggers that many people need to begin recovery. If you’re worried about your relationship with this substance, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
What is kratom?
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. The leaves are typically dried and processed into powders, capsules, teas, or liquid extracts. You’ll often see products labelled by “strain” or “vein colour”, red, green, white, but these categories aren’t scientifically standardised and don’t reliably predict how a particular batch will affect you.
What makes kratom problematic is how it works in the body. It contains substances that affect the brain in a similar way to opioid drugs, which is why the substance can change mood, energy, and how you feel pain.
At lower doses, many people say they feel more awake or focused. At higher doses, the effects usually make you feel sleepy, similar to what you might feel with strong prescription pain medicine.
This dual nature is part of what draws people to kratom, but it’s also part of what makes it risky.
What is kratom used for?
People turn to kratom for a variety of reasons. Some are looking for more energy, while others want to relax or cope with how they’re feeling. It’s also sometimes used to deal with physical discomfort or to manage symptoms from stopping other substances.
Common reasons include:
- Seeking increased alertness or motivation
- Managing anxiety, low mood, or emotional distress
- Chronic pain relief
- Kratom pain relief
- Easing withdrawal symptoms from opioids or other drugs
- Helping concentration
- Inducing spiritual experiences
- Feel more able to be social
These effects might seem helpful at first, but they usually fade over time. As people use kratom more often, their bodies can get used to it, which may lead to needing higher amounts for the same effect and make it harder to stop. What started as a solution can become its own problem.
A coroner has highlighted the risks associated with using the herbal product kratom alongside other substances, following the death of a 21-year-old who had purchased herbal products online. Kratom can have severe effects and can be dangerous – especially when taken alongside other substances.
The different kratom strains
Like we touched on above, Kratom is often sold by colour. These aren’t scientific categories, but they do loosely describe different effects. Red varieties tend to be more sedating, white more stimulating, and green somewhere in between. That said, responses vary from person to person, and because these products aren’t regulated, what you actually get can be unpredictable.
While these effects can feel helpful at first, they don’t usually last. With regular use, the body can start to adapt. This can mean needing more kratom to get the same effect and finding it harder to stop taking it. There are different kratom strains, including:
Red kratom
Red kratom is often described as more calming than other types due to its higher concentration of ‘metabolised mitragynine’, the psychoactive component of kratom. Some people use it to relax or for kratom pain relief.
Green kratom
Green kratom is generally said to contain a moderate amount of metabolised mitragynine and give a mix of effects. It can make you feel more alert while also offering a feeling of calm. How it feels will be different for each person.
White kratom
White kratom, sometimes called ‘white vein kratom’, is sometimes used to boost focus or energy. It has a lower concentration of metabolised mitragynine, making it more of a stimulant than causing depressive effects. It can feel more stimulating and may cause restlessness or a faster heart rate for some people.
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What are the effects of kratom use?
So, what does kratom feel like? The effects that Kratom has depend on dose, strain, how often it’s used, and the person using it.
Short-term effects may include:
- A sense of alertness or increased energy
- Feelings of relaxation or mild euphoria
- Reduced awareness of pain
- Nausea, stomach upset, sweating, or dizziness
- Disorientation or confusion
Some kratom users experience a stimulant-like effect when taking a lower dose, especially in the morning. Higher doses can bring about a sedative effect, similar to those associated with opioid pain relievers.
With regular or high-dose use, other kratom effects could include:
- Anxiety or low mood
- Sleep problems
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Weight loss/ anorexia
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How long does kratom last?
Kratom effects usually start within 15 to 45 minutes. The main effects may last three to six hours.
The effects usually begin within 15 to 45 minutes and last about three to six hours. That said, changes in mood, sleep, and focus may last longer.
Regular kratom use can affect a person’s mood, concentration, or sleep long after the original effects have passed.
Is kratom safe?
Because Kratom comes from a plant, some people might believe it to be low risk. But kratom products aren’t regulated for strength or purity, and there’s limited information about how safe they are. There is a risk if used in combination with other medicinal products, especially prescription opioids such as codeine or tramadol.
Kratom preparations may also be contaminated with other high-risk substances. For example, heavy metal contamination from environmental pollution affects the Mitragyna plant.
The fact that something comes from a plant doesn’t make it harmless, but kratom products aren’t regulated for purity or potency, and there’s still limited research on long-term safety.
Known risks include:
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms
- Anxiety or mood changes
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
- Slowed rate of breathing
- Hallucination/ delusion/ confusion from drug-induced psychosis
The drug has also been reported to have kratom effects on the liver, especially with long-term or high-dose use, or when it’s mixed with other substances.
For people who have developed a dependence, stopping abruptly can be physically uncomfortable and psychologically difficult. Medical support often makes the process safer and more manageable.
Concerned about your kratom use?
Treatment for kratom addiction in Ireland
Kratom misuse can be treated as part of drug addiction care in Ireland. At Smarmore Castle, inpatient treatment looks at both the body’s dependence on kratom and the thoughts and habits that cause someone to keep using it.
Treatment may include:
- Medical assessment and monitoring
- Support during withdrawal
- Individual and group therapies
- Education around substance use
- Planning for long-term recovery
You can learn more about addiction treatment for kratom on our website.
Why Choose Smarmore Castle for Kratom Rehab Treatment?
Smarmore Castle is a family-run residential treatment centre with decades of experience helping people affected by addiction. We’re located in a peaceful, rural setting within easy reach of Dublin, and people choose us because of what we offer:
Smarmore Castle is a family-run residential treatment centre with decades of experience supporting people affected by addiction.
People choose us because we offer:
- A private, rural setting close to Dublin
- 24-hour clinical oversight
- Experienced multidisciplinary teams
- Structured inpatient care
- Respectful, non-judgemental treatment
Learn more: Why choose Smarmore Castle?
Learn about kratom treatment near you
Our admissions team can talk with you privately about kratom treatment in Ireland and how support works.
Take the next step
If kratom use is affecting your health or your relationships, you don’t have to face it alone.
If you’re struggling with kratom in Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland, our admissions team can talk with you privately and without judgement.
Visit Admissions or contact us today to discuss treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
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Does kratom show up on a drug test?
Kratom doesn’t usually show up on standard drug tests. But a kratom urinalysis can detect it if a specific test is done. This might happen in some clinics or workplaces.
During kratom urinalysis, the drug can be detected in urine from 1-9 days after use. Its visibility depends on dosage, how often it is taken, and the individual’s metabolism rate.
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Is kratom illegal in Ireland?
A common question is, “Is kratom illegal in Ireland?”
No, kratom is not currently illegal in Ireland. It is classed as a ‘controlled substance’ under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is not legal to possess. However, it’s not approved as a medicine and isn’t regulated for safety. The rules are different for kratom in Northern Ireland, where UK law may apply. Under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, due to the active components of kratom this would be illegal to possess in the UK and Northern Ireland.
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Is kratom used for pain relief?
Kratom is used by some for pain as it can affect the opioid receptors within the brain. Medically speaking, this product isn’t approved for this purpose as it contains habit-forming substances.
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Kratom Addiction and Misuse in Dublin
- Kratom (mitragynine) is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Ireland. One seizure: over 12 kg of mitragynine (kratom) powder was seized at the Portlaoise Mail Centre in 2018, destined for addresses including Dublin.
- The Mitragynine powder seizure in 2018 was estimated to be worth €240,000 in value and had come to Ireland from the United States.
- Kratom is listed as a controlled drug in Ireland under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, following amendments up to 2017.
- A case in 2022 involved Gardaí valuing 1 kg of kratom at €20,000 when charging someone for possession for supply.
- A European survey found that the lifetime prevalence of kratom use among general users was 2.3%, with younger adults more likely to have tried it.
- Regular kratom users in Europe report symptoms of dependency and withdrawal, including gastrointestinal symptoms, restlessness, and irritability.