Kratom and Mortality Data

This page summarizes national surveillance data and historical federal reports regarding kratom (mitragynine) detection in overdose deaths.

Mortality reporting systems distinguish between substances that are detected on post-mortem toxicology and those determined by medical examiners to be involved in the cause of death. Detection alone does not establish causation.

Annual CDC SUDORS Data (2020–2024)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks overdose deaths through the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). This system compiles data from coroners and medical examiners, including post-mortem toxicology testing and official cause-of-death determinations. The figures below represent overdose deaths in which mitragynine (kratom’s primary alkaloid) was detected during toxicology testing. Detection indicates the substance was present at the time of death; it does not independently establish that kratom caused the death.
2020
866
32 jurisdictions reporting
2021
1,016
33 jurisdictions reporting
2022
1,017
34 jurisdictions reporting
2023
1,151
38 jurisdictions reporting
2024
995
43 jurisdictions reporting
Visit the CDC SUDORS Dashboard →
Historical CDC Reports and Publications
  • CDC Kratom Exposures (2010–2015)
    A CDC summary of poison control center reports documenting kratom exposures between 2010 and 2015. The report describes patterns of medical effects, including both minor and serious outcomes.
    Open PDF
  • CDC Law Enforcement Exposure Report
    A federal report describing kratom-related exposures involving law enforcement and public safety settings, providing additional historical context on reported incidents.
    Open PDF
  • CDC MMWR: Overdose Deaths With Kratom Detected (2016–2017)
    A CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report analyzing overdose deaths from July 2016 through December 2017 across multiple states. Of 152 deaths with mitragynine detected, 91 were classified by medical examiners as kratom-involved. Most cases included co-occurring substances such as fentanyl.
    Open PDF