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Live Webinar

The Hidden Dangers of Kratom

Angela Allphin, LPC
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Information

Date & Time

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe what Kratom is, including its origin, common forms, and typical methods of use

  • Identify the pharmacological effects of Kratom on the brain and body, including stimulant and opioid-like properties

  • Explain the current scientific understanding of Kratom’s risks, including dependence, withdrawal, overdose potential, and interactions with other substances

  • Recognize signs and symptoms of Kratom misuse, including behavioral, physical, and psychological indicators.

  • Discuss the regulatory status of Kratom in the United States and the challenges related to quality control, contamination, and unregulated distribution

  • Summarize emerging clinical concerns, including liver toxicity, cardiovascular effects, and risk of polysubstance use

  • Differentiate common myths versus evidence-based information regarding Kratom’s “safety,” “natural” status, and use in self-treating opioid withdrawal

  • Promote informed decision-making by educating clients, families, and communities about Kratom’s dangers and the importance of evidence-based approaches to managing pain or withdrawal

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to define, identify and describe Kratom, as well as side effects we are seeing in treatment and the regulatory status of Kratom currently in the United States.

Description

This course provides a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and its growing clinical relevance in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and medical settings. Participants will examine Kratom’s pharmacology, patterns of use, and purported therapeutic claims alongside current scientific findings related to its risks, adverse effects, and misuse potential. Emphasis is placed on recognizing clinical presentations associated with Kratom use, understanding regulatory and quality-control challenges, and addressing misconceptions related to its “natural” status and use in self-management of pain or opioid withdrawal. The course equips healthcare and behavioral health professionals with the knowledge necessary to educate clients and communities, support informed decision-making, and apply evidence-based approaches when assessing and responding to Kratom-related concerns in clinical practice.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Angela Allphin, LPC
Angi Allphin, LPC, is the Executive Director of Valley Hope Missouri and the North Central Regional Vice President for NAADAC, representing seven states across the Midwest. A Licensed Professional Counselor with a lifelong passion for addiction education, Angi began her career as a Nebraska Children’s Division investigator, where she witnessed the profound impact of addiction on families. She later earned her Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Central Methodist University and spent six years teaching Addiction Studies there, further solidifying her role as an educator and advocate. A former President of Missouri’s NAADAC affiliate, Angi is known for her engaging and accessible speaking style, with expertise in addiction as a disease, motivational communication, leadership in behavioral health, and strengthening professional standards across the region.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Valley Hope