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. 2023 Jan;32(1):76-80.
doi: 10.1111/ajad.13345. Epub 2022 Oct 12.

Polysubstance use profiles among US adults using Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A latent class analysis using The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Alyssa M Falise  1 , Carolin C Hoeflich  1 , Sara K Nutley  1 , Catalina Lopez-Quintero  1 , Catherine W Striley  1
Affiliations

Polysubstance use profiles among US adults using Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A latent class analysis using The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

Alyssa M Falise et al. Am J Addict. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) use is associated with polysubstance use (PSU) and use disorders. However, additional research on PSU heterogeneity in populations using this novel psychoactive substance is necessary. The authors investigated patterns of past 12-month PSU among US adults reporting past 12-month use of kratom and at least one additional substance.

Methods: Latent class models were fit using 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data which was collected from 412 US adults reporting past 12-month use of kratom and at least one of 11 additional substances.

Results: Three distinct profiles were identified: "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco" (63.3%), "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics" (19.3%), and "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics/heroin/prescriptions" (17.4%).

Conclusions and scientific significance: This is the first epidemiological study in which a latent class analysis was used to identify unique PSU profiles among US adults using kratom and other substances. Understanding the profiles of people using kratom in relation to the use of other drugs might help guide screening interventions, treatment needs, and policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Predicted probabilities of past 12-month polysubstance use by latent profile (n = 412)
a MAT PSU = marijuana/alcohol/tobacco polysubstance use profile; MAT+P PSU = marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics polysubstance use profile; MAT+PHPR PSU = marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics/heroin/non-medical use of prescription drugs polysubstance use profile * indicates significance (p < 0.05)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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