I have personally seen an entire friend group abuse buprenorphine recreationally. It doesn't produce the traditional opiate euphoria, but for people with little opioid tolerance it can be a very strong intoxicant.

From my experience, kratom is noticeably less euphoric than most opiates and doesn't cause as bad of side effects such as nausea and constipation.

Considering that difference and the big differences in price and availability (eg for people that lack access to healthcare), I believe there is a significant portion of people that could viably use kratom in lieu of buprenorphine, and ESPECIALLY in lieu of methadone.

I genuinely believe that the debate about kratom is framed squarely by those who seek to control the profits in addiction treatment.

For reference I am 7 years clean, and have "babysat" over a half dozen people through various stages of withdrawal from opiates, amphetamines and alcohol.