Mixing Kratom and Alcohol: Is It Safe?

Some users may consume kratom and alcohol for the same purposes. Some consumers report feeling more relaxed after using some high-quality kratom strains as they would after a glass of wine or their adult beverage of choice. For some, either substance may act as a social lubricant – if they suffer from anxiety, for example. However, despite the increasing popularity of this combination, is mixing kratom with alcohol safe? In this article, we will go over the differences between using kratom and drinking and the dangers of mixing kratom and alcohol.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom, also known as Mitrogyna Speciosa, is a tree native to Southeast Asia. It grows primarily in Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand, where indigenous populations have long recognized its many alleged virtues, as kratom leaves contain over forty potent alkaloids.

Kratom leaves exist in different strains, including red vein kratom, green vein kratom, white vein kratom, and yellow gold vein kratom. Depending on the strain and dosage, some kratom users report different benefits, such as energy boost, increased motivation, stress reduction, or relaxation.  

Traditionally, indigenous populations chewed on kratom leaves to experience its reported benefits. However, modern consumers can find kratom in powder, tincture, or capsule form for easier consumption.

How Does Kratom Compare with Alcohol?

Many consumers use kratom and alcohol with the same goal in mind: to relax and go through a hard day. Alcohol is widely available, making it an easy go-to. However, some users report that kratom may also give them a moral and energy boost. Here is a comparison of the possible effects of kratom vs. alcohol.

	Alcohol	Kratom
Risk of Overdose	Moderate	Low
Mechanism of Action	GABAergic	Opioid Receptor Agonist Adrenergic Agonist
Reported Beneficial Effects	No therapeutic uses	Analgesic Mood Booster Increased Energy Anxiety Relief
Possible Side Effects	Nausea Sedation Aggressivity	Nausea Sedation Dizziness
Risk of Addiction	Moderate	Moderate

Is Mixing Kratom with Alcohol Safe?

Both alcohol and kratom are potentially mind-altering substances. So, can you mix kratom and alcohol safely?

The short answer is: no. Although mixing kratom and alcohol is an increasingly popular way to consume kratom, it may be very dangerous and potentially fatal. Among the rare cases of kratom overdose, the vast majority of those who died had consumed at least one other substance, including alcohol.

Both kratom and alcohol can affect the good function of your liver, heart, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Combining alcohol and kratom may amplify these possible effects, increasing the risk of damage. Also, the reported effects of kratom and alcohol may counteract each other, leading users to increase their consumption of both substances, leading to a potentially fatal outcome.

Why Are Some People Drinking on Kratom?

There have been increasingly reported occurrences of users consuming kratom mixed with alcohol despite the higher likelihood of a bad outcome.

Some users try mixing kratom with alcohol in search of a higher buzz. Since some kratom users report an increased level of energy and improved mood, they may attempt to counteract the depressant and sedative effects caused by alcohol. However, it also increases the likelihood of users taking too much of either or both substances. Besides, higher levels of kratom may also make the side effects of alcohol worse. Therefore, there are higher chances of experiencing negative side effects as well as an adverse physical reaction of using kratom with alcohol than using either substance alone.

Can You Die from Mixing Kratom and Alcohol?

Although kratom overdoses are relatively uncommon, the likelihood increases when mixing kratom with alcohol since individuals have less control over their dosage and may increase the amount of kratom they use without realizing it. The same holds true as individuals may drink in excess if some of the reported effects of kratom (such as energy boosting, focus, and mood improvement) counterbalance some of the effects of alcohol.

According to the CDC, eight out of ten overdose kratom deaths tested positive for another substance. Consuming kratom and alcohol also increases your chances of an alcohol overdose, which may have significantly more adverse effects than a kratom overdose alone. A common cause of death when overdosing on alcohol is drunk individuals choking on their vomit after passing out. However, although consumers do not die after drinking on kratom, a kratom overdose comes with a long list of potential long-term and short-term side effects.

Here are some issues you may encounter when mixing kratom with alcohol.

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Increased urination
• Dry mouth
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Seizures
• Elevated blood pressure
• Damages to the nervous system
• Damages to the kidneys
• Passing out
• Loss of coordination
• Altered perception of time and reality

The Effects of Kratom and Alcohol on the Liver

Since alcohol consumption has been widespread for centuries, the adverse effects of drinking in excess on the users’ overall health, particularly on their liver, are well-documented. Although the study on kratom usage – particularly its long-term consequences – is more recent, some reports suggest that heavy kratom consumption could be just as dangerous to the liver. So, can you drink alcohol with kratom? Not only does using kratom and alcohol together potentially lead to an adverse reaction in the short term, but it also increases your risk of liver damage in the long term.

Can Kratom Help Get Over a Hangover?

Now that you know about the dangers of mixing kratom and alcohol, you may be wondering about the power of kratom to alleviate the consequences of a night of hard partying. According to some users, the right strain of kratom may help make some hangover symptoms less painful, but it will not cure a hangover at the source.

Some kratom consumers may find that some kratom strains have a potent analgesic effect, so your hangover headache is less painful. Some users have also reported that the right strain of kratom may provide an energy boost to get over the sluggish feeling brought in by a night of drinking.

However, a hangover is a sign of intense dehydration, but also of the action of toxic substances in the body as a byproduct of processing alcohol. Therefore, the best policy to get over a hangover is to get some rest, drink plenty of liquid, and replenish your body with electrolytes and vitamins.

What Are the Risks of Addiction with Kratom and Alcohol?

Any substance that influences your dopamine system, including kratom and alcohol, has the potential for addiction. The dopamine system signals the feeling of pleasure and generally the sense of being in a good mood. However, using drugs, herbal supplements, or alcohol to achieve this pleasant feeling may also cause issues in the long run as your dopamine system downregulates. In other words, it builds a tolerance causing it to adjust its biochemistry to the influence of these elements, making it harder for regular users to feel balance without the help of their substance of choice. 

They also need to increase the dosage over time to achieve the same feeling of pleasure. Some users may also try more potent drugs to chase the high, increasing the risk of addiction and overdose. Therefore, whenever you consume any form of substance, such as alcohol and kratom, but also sugar, etc., stay in tune with your body and stop your consumption immediately if you feel that anything is amiss.

The Dangers of Mixing Kratom and Other Substances

Consuming any form of mind-altering substances, including alcohol and kratom, can be a slippery slope. Although most users are fine with occasionally partaking with their substance of choice, other individuals with an addictive personality are more at risk of trying different combinations, such as drinking on kratom, to achieve a higher buzz.

Some may also slip into polysubstance abuse as they try to alleviate some of the most unpleasant effects of their primary substance by adding new ones, leading to negative interactions between the drugs. For example, a drinker may choose to try mixing kratom and alcohol if they are feeling sluggish.  Someone who is already inhibited will be less likely to keep track of the dosage, which may lead to an overdose, or be in tune with their body’s response to different drug interactions.

Therefore, if you, or someone close to you, is showing signs of polysubstance addiction, such as consuming several substances at once or trying different combinations to try and achieve their desired mindset, it is best to stop consuming kratom and alcohol, and any other drug immediately.

Can Kratom Be Used to Fight Alcohol Addiction?

Some reports have shown that consuming kratom may help opioid addicts achieve good results towards recovery. Unfortunately, the results regarding kratom and alcohol addiction are not as clear-cut. Unlike kratom and opioids, which share similar ways of operating, alcohol is a GABAergic drug. Although using kratom for alcohol withdrawal may have a limited effect on the source of the problem, it may still be of help for mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety or insomnia, and therefore, make the alcoholic’s steps towards recovery a little easier.

Recognizing Alcohol Addiction and Withdrawal

Dealing with alcohol abuse and addiction can be a scary situation for the addict and their loved ones. It is not a situation to take lightly since alcohol and kratom addiction and withdrawal are often associated with some very serious symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal occurs when the drinker’s body has adjusted to block neurotransmitters in order to accommodate the effect of alcohol. When deprived of this exterior source, the body becomes off balance, and the individual may experience symptoms, including:

• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Mood swing
• Delusion
• Hallucination
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Shakes

Although these symptoms may not be life-threatening on their own, they may prevent the person going through withdrawal from functioning socially and professionally. Besides, they may not be ready to reach out for help and treatment, especially if their drinking abuse is the result of underlying conditions, such as trauma or depression. It is essential that their loved ones remain supportive. Here are some ways an alcohol addict may seek assistance.

Undergoing the Detox Process

Unfortunately, as uncomfortable and challenging as it may be, the body needs to go through withdrawal to move forward. In some cases, addiction workers and doctors recommend that the addict go through the process under medical supervision and may provide medication to alleviate some of the effects of withdrawal. The withdrawal process typically takes several weeks.

Going to Therapy

In most cases, alcoholism is symptomatic of deeply anchored issues such as trauma and depression and may only be overcome by undergoing therapy and counseling. It will give the addict the tools to understand the source of their addiction and the tools to move forward.

Reaching Out to Group Supports

No matter what you may be going through, remember that you are not alone. Attending group support and meetings is an essential step for addicts to share their battles with individuals who are currently going through the same process and may understand their struggles and find healthy coping mechanisms.

Finding Quality Kratom Sources

Top Kratom Retailers	Pros	Cons
Payless Kratom	Wide Variety of strains, product types, and reputable brands High-quality product for a fair price Free shipping on order over $100	Only ships within the US
Kona Kratom	Wide range of products Fresh, high-quality product including high potency AKA certified	Only ships within the US
VIP Kratom	Specializes in high-quality products Features powders and capsules for most products AKA certified	More expensive than other competitors

Conclusion: the Lowdown on Mixing Kratom and Alcohol

Although both kratom and alcohol may be enjoyed on their own, it is not recommended to partake in kratom and drinking at the same time. Both substances may be addictive and have harmful effects on the body when used together. Not only does combining alcohol and kratom increase the risk of overdose, but it also leads to a higher likelihood of developing long-term issues such as addiction and liver damage.

When buying kratom online, only purchase high-quality products from reputable sources and enjoy it responsibly.