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Stories of the Impact of Kratom Addiction

Real Virginia individuals and families share their experiences with kratom addiction. These stories reveal the true cost of allowing unregulated kratom sales in our state.

Personal Stories

Real families share their experiences with kratom addiction and the long road to recovery.

Photo of Dean Francis

Dean Francis

Father Virginia

In 2017, our son Cameron discovered kratom online while he was a college athlete. It was marketed as a "safe, plant-based herbal supplement"—a healthy alternative to alcohol that could boost mood, improve focus for studying, and even help with sleep.

In 2021, a terrifying trip to the emergency room exposed the truth. A physician told us plainly: kratom acts like an opioid—and Cameron was in severe withdrawal. He felt like he was going to die. What followed was physical and emotional torment we wouldn't wish on anyone. Recovery was long, agonizing, and seemingly hopeless at times—more like climbing a mountain on his hands and knees.

Cameron lost nearly eight years of his life to a product sold as harmless.

Today, his story is no longer rare. Across our communities, more families are confronting kratom dependence, devastating withdrawal, and worse - death.

While compounds in this plant may have therapeutic potential, the risks are real, and many in the kratom industry work tirelessly to downplay them. This website exists to expose the truth, warn parents and grandparents, and urge lawmakers to act—either by banning kratom products outright or regulating them with the same safeguards we expect for pharmacy-controlled substances: clear consumption limits, tracking, and a quality consultation upon purchase.

Together, we can end kratom addiction—and save lives.

Photo of Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter

Former Kratom User North Carolina

Nobody told me that there was any withdrawl symptoms or anything, but then I ended up feeling the same way that I did whenever I was trying to come off of opiates. So, ultimately, it just ended up leading me right back to using the drugs I was trying to get off of. There's warning labels on cigarettes, nicotine, all types of things, but kratom is honestly just like a street drug, and I don't think it should even be allowed to be sold in a gas station or be legal in general.

Videos

Feel Free Experience
I Ate KRATOM for 10 Years…(An Addict's Perspective)
Jason Elis Detox
Kratom Addiction Recovery: Client Testimonial | The Sanctuary at Sedona
Kratom Addiction Recovery: Client Testimonial | The Sanctuary at Sedona
Kratom is an epidemic growing rapidly
My Experience With Kratom | LAHWF
My Kratom Video Uncovered Something Weird
the feel free scandal is nuts
The Progression of Kratom Addiction
This Gas Station Drug Nearly Ruined My Life
What is Kratom?

Deaths (31 known by EKA)

Photo of Keaton Brooks
Keaton Brooks
16 years old
Photo of Nate Minns
Nate Minns
19 years old
Photo of Ian Mautner
Ian Mautner
20 years old
Photo of Joey LaPenna
Joey LaPenna
21 years old
Photo of James Reilly
James Reilly
21 years old
Photo of Matthew J Eller
Matthew J Eller
22 years old
Photo of John M Eden
John M Eden
22 years old
Photo of Ethan W Pope
Ethan W Pope
23 years old
Photo of Luke Larsen
Luke Larsen
23 years old
Photo of Caleb Sturgis
Caleb Sturgis
25 years old
Photo of Jay Knaus
Jay Knaus
25 years old
Photo of Eric Genautis
Eric Genautis
26 years old
Photo of Dakota Herrera
Dakota Herrera
27 years old
Photo of Christopher Waldron
Christopher Waldron
27 years old
Photo of J.D. Butler
J.D. Butler
27 years old
Photo of Wyatt Wheeler
Wyatt Wheeler
27 years old
Photo of Zachary Young
Zachary Young
27 years old
Photo of Dustin Henandez
Dustin Henandez
29 years old
Photo of Jessica Speranza
Jessica Speranza
30 years old
Photo of Joshua Brown
Joshua Brown
32 years old
Photo of Johnathan Dampf
Johnathan Dampf
33 years old
Photo of Jeremy Franka
Jeremy Franka
35 years old
Photo of Tanya Stone
Tanya Stone
36 years old
Photo of Harmony Moller
Harmony Moller
36 years old
Photo of Jordan McKibban
Jordan McKibban
37 years old
Photo of Joseph Lumbrazo
Joseph Lumbrazo
38 years old
Photo of Krystal Talavera
Krystal Talavera
39 years old
Photo of Patrick Coyne
Patrick Coyne
39 years old
Photo of Matthew Torres
Matthew Torres
39 years old
Photo of Ron Watkins
Ron Watkins
43 years old
Photo of Jennifer J Gahahan
Jennifer J Gahahan
51 years old

Each Story Matters

Every story represents a preventable tragedy caused by regulatory failure, while kratom companies profit. Personal stories cut through industry lobbying and political rhetoric to reveal the human impact.

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