Virtual Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) Series: Kratom and COD

Join us for a new workshop learning series on the challenges facing individuals struggling with COD. This series will explore how substances of abuse and mental health concerns impact each other. Each session will offer community providers a deeper understanding of providing integrated care to support and foster overall all health and well-being.

Kratom presents a complex challenge for behavioral health clinicians due to its potential for dependence, addiction, and a particularly troubling risk of overdose. Derived from a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia, kratom has gained traction for its psychoactive effects and is often used to alleviate pain, manage symptoms of mental health disorders, and mitigate opioid withdrawal. Despite its growing popularity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple warnings highlighting kratom’s significant health risks and abuse potential. Kratom is not legally approved for use as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive. The FDA cautions against its consumption, citing serious adverse effects such as toxicity, seizures, and the development of SUDs. Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Administration has classified kratom as a “drug and chemical of concern.” Given these risks, behavioral health clinicians should remain vigilant about kratom use among patients. It is essential to educate individuals on the dangers of kratom, particularly its addictive potential and the heightened risk of overdose, to support informed decision-making, and promote safer therapeutic outcomes.

Who Should Attend: This event is sponsored by the adult mental health block grant and is intended for persons who serve adults only struggling with severe mental illness and/or COD receiving services that are community-based/outpatient setting (does not include substance use disorder (SUD) providers, inpatient, or residential treatment, parents of children who are primary recipients) that is funded by a community mental health service provider (CMHSP) or is a contractor of a CMHSP in the state of Michigan. It contains content appropriate for CEOs, COOs, clinical directors, supervisors, case managers, support coordinators, therapists, crisis workers, and nurses. Hours can count toward Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) annual refresher.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, through the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan has provided funding for this initiative through the Federal Community Mental Health Block Grant.