Safety · 2026-08-26
Federal Data: Teen Kratom Use Rose 51 Percent in One Year as FDA Maintains Opioid Warning
Source: Narcotics.com
Why it matters
SAMHSA's 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows a 51 percent jump in past-year kratom use among adolescents aged 12 to 17 in a single year, raising concerns among clinicians and policymakers about youth access to a substance the FDA classifies as containing opioid compounds.
The big picture
Total kratom use among Americans aged 12 and older reached 1.85 million in 2024, up from 1.63 million in 2023, according to SAMHSA data. A 2026 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found kratom-related poisonings and hospitalizations rose 1,200 percent over the past decade — an increase that largely predates the arrival of concentrated synthetic kratom products. The data arrives at a moment of fractured federal policy, with the DEA scheduling synthetic derivatives while natural leaf kratom remains unscheduled.
Key findings
- 1.85 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom in 2024, up from 1.63 million in 2023
- Adolescent past-year use (ages 12-17) rose 51 percent year-over-year, from roughly 43,000 to 65,000 users
- Kratom-related poisonings and hospitalizations rose 1,200 percent over the past decade per a 2026 CDC MMWR report
- Research from University of Michigan and Texas State University in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found highest use at ages 21-34, with correlations to cannabis use and preexisting substance use disorders
- The FDA concluded kratom contains opioid compounds and warns the public against its use, though botanical kratom remains federally unscheduled
What they say
The FDA has stated on its website that kratom "isn't just a plant, it's an opioid" and continues to advise Americans against its use, citing risks including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder.
Bottom line
Federal survey data show teen kratom use jumped 51 percent in one year, sharpening a policy debate over whether the leaf itself — not just concentrated synthetic derivatives — poses unacceptable risk to young users.