In Reply to: Deal or no deal posted by mh on August 06, 2025 at 10:17:29
USA TODAY spoke with over 20 people who say they became severely addicted to kratom − a plant ingredient found in products sold at gas stations, liquor stores and smoke shops across the country by various companies. Many of the people we spoke with had no history of substance abuse prior to ingesting kratom. Some were health and fitness enthusiasts who thought kratom was just like any other wellness supplement. Others thought it was a healthy alternative to alcohol. A few mistook it for a run of the mill caffeine drink, like coffee or tea.
But kratom has addictive potential, medical experts say − and getting hooked on it often carries devastating consequences. A mom in California says she maxed out at least two credit cards to fuel her addiction − now she doesn't know what the future holds for herself or her 9-year-old son. A father says his addiction drove him $50,000 into debt and tanked his credit score into the 500s. Crushing withdrawals, he says, have made it extraordinarily difficult to quit; still, he's trying to rebuild a life for himself and his young child.