Kratom is number one new substance addiction, say doctors

Doctors are sounding the alarm about the number one new substance addiction they’re seeing in this area. It’s something called kratom. Synthetic kratom, known as “gas station heroin” is marketed as an herbal remedy, and it’s killing dozens of people in New York a year.

One man in recovery we talked to thinks it’s pretty crazy that kratom can just be bought over the counter. He is in treatment at St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC).

“It’s very similar to a pharmaceutical opioids, where it actually grabs on to the same receptors in your brain that opioids do to give you that euphoric feeling,” he said.

He says he turned to kratom because it was so easily accessible.

“The first time I tried it, it was a liquid form. I tried the liquid and it actually knocked me right out. Put me to sleep. But when I woke up, a feeling of euphoria. Kind of liked the way it felt. Then I found out they sold it in pill forms.”

He started taking more and more, and realized he had a problem.

“I stopped taking it, and once I stopped taking it, the withdrawal was very, very intense. Body aches, like my whole entire body, I could not move. My whole body was sore. I could not sleep, hot flashes, sweating, cold, very painful.”

Kratom is an herb from Southeast Asia. It’s been used around the world for centuries.

In the U.S., it’s not regulated at the federal level, and not approved by the FDA.

Some people say it works wonders.

It’s marketed as a natural, herbal supplement to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, and pain.

Dr. Angad Madan is the medical director of SPARC.

“Many patients do not know that it’s a substance of addiction or misuse and many patients just think it’s a herbal supplement. I think it’s false advertising and it’s resulting in another opioid epidemic that the state of New York doesn’t really need,” said Dr. Madan.

Experts say it’s almost an introductory opioid, but one that you can find at your corner store.

It’s banned in many countries and in six states, including Vermont.

In our area, it’s also banned in Washington County.

There’s also a kratom product called 7-OH.

“So 7-OH which is also available just over the counter at various stores that sell it is extremely potent. More potent than morphine,” said Frank Babich, Physician Assistant at SPARC Cohoes. “So it produces dependency much quicker, and people do experience much worse withdrawal.”

“Kratom, also known as 7OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is the number one new substance addiction that I’ve seen in SPARC, the St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center, at all levels of care,” said Dr. Madan.

The New York governor’s office says almost 1% of all young people in the U.S. report having used kratom in the last year.

Governor Kathy Hochul says in New York State, kratom is listed as the cause of death in more than 100 overdose cases in a one year period.

We spoke to another man in recovery who had turned to kratom when he couldn’t get opiates anymore.

“I was like, okay, what am I going to do. I heard about Kratom. I was like, okay, that works. And it did work. It got me off of opiates very well. It did exactly what I was told it was going to do. And then turned into its own problem.”

Then he tried 7-OH.

“Oh yeah, they are strong and it really– it will destroy your life. Completely. In every way possible. Your finances. It’s very expensive, especially the tablets. It’s like $50 for a pack of 4, some of these packets that you get.”

He estimates he spent close to $50,000 in two years.

Both men say they found the right support and community at SPARC, St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center.

They want to warn people about kratom and 7-OH, from experience.

“The withdrawal from it– worst time of my life.” He said the fact that it’s so readily available is extremely dangerous.

New York just passed new regulations. Now people have be 21 to buy kratom.

If you or someone you know is concerned about drinking, drug use, or overuse of opiate pain medications, 
St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center can help. SPARC offers detox, outpatient addiction services, inpatient rehabilitation, mental health services, and more. To learn more, their 24/7 access line is 1-833-688-3480, or https://www.sphp.com/services/addiction/st-peters-addiction-recovery-center

Wednesday we will take a look at the legislation just passed, and more underway right now, plus you will hear from a Ballston Spa mother whose son died from kratom.