Kratom in Indiana: Legal Status, Risks and Treatment
Kratom is a plant product made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and kratom is illegal to buy, sell or possess in Indiana. Indiana law treats mitragynine, the main compound in kratom, as a synthetic drug, even though federal law does not control kratom.
Kratom products sold online and in other states vary in strength, and the FDA warns that kratom carries risks of addiction, liver damage and seizures. Daily kratom use produces withdrawal when it stops, and medical support makes stopping safer for people with heavy daily use.
Kratom is sold as powders, capsules, teas and blended drinks, and the strength of each product varies because no agency checks kratom quality. People who use kratom every day and want to stop do best with a plan that covers withdrawal, sleep and the reasons behind the kratom use.
Key Takeaways
- The FDA reports that no kratom drug product has FDA approval, so no kratom product is an approved treatment for pain or opioid withdrawal.
- Concentrated 7-OH products act more strongly at opioid receptors than morphine and slow breathing, according to the FDA.
- The FDA has found kratom products contaminated with Salmonella and heavy metals.
- The Grove Estate treats kratom dependence in residential treatment at ASAM Level 3.5, with withdrawal management and 24-hour nursing oversight.
Did you know most health insurance plans cover substance use disorder treatment? Check your coverage online now.
Is Kratom Legal in Indiana?
No, kratom is illegal in Indiana because state law lists mitragynine, kratom’s main compound, as a synthetic drug. Indiana Code 35-31.5-2-321 sets that listing, so possessing, buying or selling kratom in Indiana is a criminal offense.
Kratom is not a federally controlled substance, which is why online stores and other states still sell kratom. Federal law does not override the Indiana ban, so possessing kratom in Indiana remains a crime under Indiana drug laws.
The table below compares the 2 legal layers that apply to kratom in Indiana.
| Level | Kratom status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | Illegal to buy, sell or possess, because mitragynine is listed as a synthetic drug | Indiana Code 35-31.5-2-321 |
| Federal | Not a controlled substance, and no kratom drug product has FDA approval | FDA, “FDA and Kratom” (2025) |
What Are the Health Risks of Kratom?
Kratom carries a risk of substance use disorder, liver toxicity and seizures, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) page “FDA and Kratom” (December 2025). The FDA also reports rare deaths involving kratom, mostly in people who took other drugs too.
Kratom products are unregulated, so strength varies between batches, and the FDA has warned about kratom products contaminated with Salmonella or heavy metals. Kratom also appears in blended products such as Feel Free drink, which combines kratom and kava. People who use kratom report stimulant-like effects at smaller doses and opioid-like or sedating effects at larger doses, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) page “Kratom” (March 2026).
Concentrated products sold as “7-OH” carry extra risk. The FDA reports that 7-hydroxymitragynine acts far more strongly at opioid receptors than morphine and warns of “respiratory depression that may lead to death.”
Call 911 for slowed or stopped breathing, a seizure or loss of consciousness after kratom use.
Can You Become Addicted to Kratom?
Yes, the FDA lists substance use disorder as a risk of kratom use, and withdrawal symptoms after stopping kratom mark physical dependence. Needing more kratom over time to feel the same effect is an early sign of kratom addiction.
NIDA reports mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms when people stop regular kratom use, and the FDA names those withdrawal symptoms as a sign of kratom dependence.
Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking rehab treatment or simply need guidance on your recovery journey, we are here to help.
What Are the Signs That Kratom Use Has Become a Problem?
Daily use, needing more kratom and feeling sick when kratom wears off are the clearest signs of a kratom problem. The 5 signs of a kratom problem are:
- Using kratom every day or more than once a day.
- Feeling anxious or unwell when the effect of kratom wears off.
- Spending more money on kratom than planned.
- Hiding how much kratom you use.
- Using kratom to manage withdrawal from other opioids.
How Can You Stop Using Kratom Safely?
Stopping kratom after heavy daily use is safest with medical support. Withdrawal management with physician-directed medication and 24-hour nursing oversight eases withdrawal symptoms while the body adjusts to life without kratom.
Stopping kratom suddenly and alone is hard, because taking kratom again ends the withdrawal symptoms. Medical support matters even more for anyone who also uses alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines, and The Grove Estate provides that support in residential detox.
Misconception: Kratom is a safe way to quit opioids.
What the evidence shows: The FDA reports that no kratom drug product has FDA approval, and kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids. Kratom produces its own dependence and withdrawal, so switching to kratom trades one dependence for another.
How Does The Grove Estate Treat Kratom Dependence?
The Grove Estate treats kratom dependence in residential treatment at ASAM Level 3.5, with withdrawal management inside the program. A medical provider examines each client and reviews medications, and registered nurses provide 24-hour oversight.
Medical Director Dr. Steven Schneider, MD, a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with 35 years in psychiatry, leads The Grove Estate’s medical care.
Director of Nursing Ryan Cowles, BSN, with more than 22 years in healthcare, leads the registered nurses who provide 24-hour oversight.
Every admission at The Grove Estate receives a psychiatric evaluation, so anxiety, depression or chronic pain that kratom was covering is treated too. Call 765-204-1188 to speak with admissions.
Are you covered for treatment?
The Grove Estate is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, and accepts other commercial plans, such as Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, on an out-of-network basis.
Check Coverage Now!Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Be Arrested for Having Kratom in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana classes mitragynine, kratom’s main compound, as a synthetic drug, so possessing kratom is a criminal offense in Indiana, and selling kratom brings heavier charges.
Is Kratom Legal in Indiana in 2026?
No. Indiana has not changed its kratom law, so mitragynine remains listed as a synthetic drug in 2026, and kratom remains illegal to buy, sell or possess in Indiana.
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Is Kratom Safer Than Opioids?
No. Kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, produces dependence and withdrawal, and varies in strength between products. The FDA reports that no kratom drug product has FDA approval.
Does Insurance Cover Treatment for Kratom Addiction?
Coverage depends on the insurance plan. Call The Grove Estate at 765-204-1188 to check your plan’s benefits for residential treatment before admission.
References
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code § 35-31.5-2-321, “Synthetic drug.” iga.in.gov
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, December 2). FDA and Kratom. fda.gov
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2026, March 11). Kratom. nida.nih.gov
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ADDICTION TREATMENTS IN INDIANA
Are you covered for treatment?
The Grove Estate is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, and accepts other commercial plans, such as Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, on an out-of-network basis.
Check Coverage Now!
