Kratom Sobriety
Leaving the leaf for the problematic kratom user. Helping people abstain from kratom.
Episodes
Kratom was banned in Connecticut and Louisiana this year, as well as in scores of cities. Ohio and California, two big states, are taking significant actions to crack down on kratom in 2025. What are the alternatives? This episode explores a middle-ground approach to kratom regulation that rejects both total bans and weak, industry-written rules. We introduce six common-sense protections, including point-of-sale education, cl...
Jacob and Lily discuss how the hosts let guests tell their story from their point of view, and as a podcast we are not able to vet people before they are interviewed. Ramey celebrates two years off kratom with Natalie. To connect with the meetings discussed in the interview, please visit: https://kratomquitters.com/
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QUITTING KRATOM SUPPORT MEETINGS
Episode focused on quitting kratom with a lockbox as a tool. In the interview this week, Gen-Xer Thomas (long-time primarily a powder user with many attempted quits) describes the challenge as: "Addiction lies to you in your own voice".
Lockbox links (like always we don't get any commissions if you buy one):
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/style/lockable-box-container.html
Episode focused on 7-OH. Dr. Stanciu's credentials:
https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/faculty/facultydb/view.php/?uid=7021
Article Charlie & Jazz discuss about 7-OH potency in guinea pig intestines: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320505008167
FDA document Dr. Stancui refers to:
https://www.fda.gov/media/187900/download
News article about 7-OH bust from end of open: https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/br...
Melanie (episode 110 from January 2025) returns to celebrate a year off 7-OH (quit date October 27, 2024). She is one of our first guests to discuss getting addicted specifically to 7-hydroxymitragynine products. Melanie also did not have any previous history of disordered substance use prior to this addiction. In follow-up questions after the interview, she texted Charlie the following responses - Melanie:
- Read more
Charlie introduces Rosa as a new cohost (episode #54 used the alias Sofia). In the interview, Natalie sits down with Stewart, a husband, father of three, and self-employed handyman from Mesa, Arizona, who is celebrating one year of sobriety from kratom. Stewart shares a candid story of how kratom entered his life, how his use escalated, and the impact it had on his health, family, and sense of purpose. He got up to 80 grams per day...
Jacob and Jazz talk about the growing presence of kratom extract products in stores, concerns about their sale, and efforts to offer healthier alternatives. In this week's interview, Jazz chats with Matt to discuss the progress he has made since his appearance on Episode #98. Matt shares new insights from his recovery journey and explains how his QuitKit product has become a valuable resource not only for himself, but also for othe...
Jacob shares holiday sobriety tips in the open. Our guest this week shares the story of her ex-partner Kevin, a talented and magnetic musician whose life was tragically cut short due to kratom toxicity according to death records (no other substances in his system and no pre-existing health conditions at the time of his passing). Through the perspective of his former partner Paloma, the conversation explores the progression of his d...
In the intro, Lily and Charlie discuss the isolating nature of Kratom addiction and the importance of reaching out to others for support and community. Lily interviews Eric O, who shares his personal journey with kratom addiction and recovery. Eric describes how he first encountered kratom at a kava bar, initially using it socially and later as a way to manage pain and stress. Over time, his use escalated, leading to financial trou...
In the intro, Jacob welcomes co-host Natalie (episodes 15 and 132) back to the podcast as they catch up on her life, career as a paramedic, and her perspective on seeing substance use issues in the field. Guest Ali shares her journey from early struggles with alcohol and opiates to years of dependence on kratom and the challenges of withdrawal. She opens up about the turning points that led her to seek help, including loss, motherh...
In the open, Charlie and Nolan talk about the YouTuber interview from a couple weeks ago. In the interview, Katja shares with Lily her story of discovering the kava and kratom bar scene while living in Brooklyn and later witnessing her partner’s descent into kratom addiction. She offers a candid look at how extract products, financial strain, and secrecy turned their lives upside down and how she found stability through Al-Anon and...
This week features an interview Katie Herzog, author of the book "Drink Your Way Sober." Please be aware, you cannot use the Sinclair Method with kratom as it will cause precipitated withdrawals. The discussion explores medicated assisted treatment, harm reduction. the disease model for addiction, and a range of other topics.
https://www.drinkyourwaysober.com/
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Nolan interviews Metta Beshay, who posted a video recently named "The Insane World of Kratom & 7-OH" on YouTube. HEADS UP: This guest talks about recent kratom use and is not actively committed to kratom abstinence but shares a range of insights and information about kratom that many listeners may find interesting and/or helpful. Metta's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Pqx_bMGeGwc?si=6X8x6P-9-D3MyApvm
WANT TO TELL YOUR STO...
In the open, Nolan and Lily give tips on tapering. Nolan's quitting kratom book: https://a.co/d/b1cgJUJ
In the interview, David Hudnall, a journalist from the Kansas City Star, discusses his investigative reporting on 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine). The discussion covers the rapid rise of 7-OH in the U.S. market, particularly in Kansas City, and how is overtaking traditional kratom products in smoke shops and gas stations. The conve...
Jacob and Lily talk getting into hobbies during recovery. In the interview, Justine shares her quitting kratom journey. She turned to kratom to manage pain and escalated into a serious health crisis that resulted in a lengthy hospitalization. Justine warns about the dangers of unregulated substances and encourages others to seek help and not try to quit alone.
WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY ON THE PODCAST?
In this week's interview with Tori, an addiction professional in recovery, the growing presence of kratom in treatment settings is explored. She shares insights on client demographics, withdrawal symptoms, misconceptions about safety, and the importance of harm reduction and education, while also reflecting on her personal recovery journey and commitment to helping others.
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Charlie and Jacob speculate about what is in the kava-kratom tonics to make them more addictive for so many people. Lauren shares her journey with Jacob of nearly five years of daily kratom use that escalated from capsules to extracts, ending in secrecy, shame, and worsening depression. With the support of her therapist and doctor, she tapered off and quit on April 10, 2025, and now celebrates five months free, emphasizing mindset,...
Lily's interview with Mckenzie’s followers her journey with kratom, beginning with an initial exposure through wellness marketing and the rapid progression from casual use to daily dependence. After repeated withdrawal attempts, the toll on her mental and physical health was immense, and ultimately finding recovery through a five-week holistic treatment program in Sedona. The discussion also explores her shift in perspective on wel...
Guest host Jazz (episode #41) talks with returning expert Dr. Casey Grover, an addiction medicine physician with both clinical expertise and lived experience of PTSD. Together, they explore the frequent intersection of trauma and addiction, breaking down how adverse childhood experiences, big “T” and little “t” traumas, and even intergenerational stress shape vulnerability to substance use. Dr. Grover discusses diagnostic criteria ...
Lily & Charlie discuss - Is the last thing you quit the hardest? John, an engineer and outdoor enthusiast, recounts his decade-long struggle with kratom addiction that began as an alternative to pain pills, leading to escalating use (from 120 grams per day in the early 2010s to 7oh isolates in 2025), financial ruin, and the loss of a significant relationship. After multiple failed attempts to quit (including a relapse after 2 y...
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