Most Clinicians Never Screen for Kratom Use, Survey of 136 Providers Finds

Why it matters

With over 15 million estimated kratom users in the U.S., clinicians who never ask about use miss an exposure that can interact with medications, cause dependence, and complicate pain or addiction treatment. Self-rated knowledge predicts screening frequency — meaning provider education is the single most actionable lever.

The big picture

Kratom occupies a gray zone in clinical settings: legal, widely sold, yet rarely on screening checklists. This survey of 136 U.S. licensed healthcare providers reveals a fragmented picture — most know what kratom is, but fewer than 8% always ask patients about it. The gap echoes earlier blind spots with cannabis and other supplements before clinicians had reliable guidance. With the DEA moving to schedule concentrated 7-OH products and state legislatures debating bans, provider awareness is being tested at exactly the moment it matters most.

Key findings

• 78.7% of surveyed providers reported awareness of kratom, but only 33.6% felt comfortable discussing it with patients
• Only 7.8% reported always screening patients for kratom use; 36.9% said they never screen
• 55.9% had treated patients for problematic kratom use or kratom use disorder despite low screening rates
• Self-rated knowledge was the strongest predictor of screening frequency (β = 0.70, p < 0.001)
• Female providers screened significantly more frequently than male providers

What they say

"Screening for kratom use is not yet well-integrated into clinical practice across disciplines in the U.S. Provider's self-perceived knowledge of kratom appears central to screening practices, underscoring the need for education and assessment strategies to improve identification of kratom use across clinical settings." — Study authors, Substance Use & Addiction Journal (2026)

Bottom line

Provider education is the gap — over half of clinicians have treated kratom use disorder, but fewer than 1 in 12 always ask about it.