November 20th, 2017 by Cindy Perlin

When Jason was 18 years old he broke his wrist and knuckles. He was given Vicodin and became addicted. He graduated to methadone and heroin. He had never used anything before but pot and alcohol occasionally. For the next seven years he was in and out of detox. All his plans went downhill. He had wanted to be a pro baseball player. He had trouble getting and keeping a job. He got a D.U.I. He watched eight of his friends die from heroin overdoses and he still couldn’t stop using.

Then one day a friend posted on Facebook about kratom, a southeast Asian herb that many report is helpful for pain, anxiety and addiction. Jason ordered a sample pack of a red vein strain, the most calming strain of Kratom. Since he started using kratom, he has not had the urge to use opioids again.

Jason’s life is now back on track. He’s been clean for over eight months and is going to school to get a machinist certificate. He uses kratom to manage ongoing back pain, anxiety and depression. He doses twice a day and reports that it costs him $30-$40 a month. He’s now confident about his future.