Mitragyna Speciosa (aka Kratom) is a helpful medicinal plant that is related to coffee and has nothing in common with papaver somniferum (opium poppy, bread seed poppy, etc) from which opiate medications come from. The active alkaloids in kratom (mainly Mitragynine and 7-OH) which are present in trace amounts in the raw plant matter do interact with some opioid receptors, but as partial agonists. Neither of these alkaloids are known to contribute to cardiotoxicity nor respiratory depression as traditional opioids/opiates do. However, the drug has anecdotally seen success in assisting with safely discontinuing said traditional opioids medication.

There is the possibility of misuse and dependable, but discontinuing the drug is not dangerous, and the main side effect is moderate physical discomfort. A controlled taper can reduce or even completely eliminate discontinuation symptoms. Another common side effect is that overuse can cause temporary sexual side effects such as delayed orgasm or erectile dysfunction, but these are alleviated by refraining from taking the drug for several hours. Over indulgence may also cause nausea and vomiting. There is little evidence that a fatal overdose of kratom alone is potentially fatal. There should be more research done for that. 

Thank you for your consideration.