Exposing the Dark Side of Kratom. Is This “Natural” Supplement Fueling Addiction?

Kratom is a plant-based substance that’s easy to find in smoke shops, gas stations, and even health food stores. Marketed as a natural remedy for pain, energy, or opioid withdrawal, it’s gained a reputation as a “safe” alternative.But according to Houston addiction medicine specialist Dr. Kamal Shah, that couldn’t be further from the truth.He’s seen firsthand how quickly people can become dependent, from those in long-term addiction recovery to others simply looking for pain relief. What starts as something “natural” often ends with tough withdrawals and a return to addictive patterns that threaten sobriety. Because kratom isn’t FDA-regulated, there’s no consistency in dosing or purity, adding another layer of risk.Dr. Shah explains how kratom dependency develops fast and why withdrawal feels more like dopamine depletion than a classic opioid detox. He and Matt Handy discuss the growing concern around its easy access—especially for young people—and the misinformation that keeps it under the radar. For anyone in recovery, kratom isn’t a harmless supplement. It’s a slippery slope that can quietly pull people into kratom addiction.KETV NewsWatch 7, 'Worst thing I've ever been through": Finding out what kratom is and how it's addictiveEric B Zink, Day 3 Withdrawals Red Kratom (Vlogging My Withdrawals)Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.comFind us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.Host: Matthew HandyProducer: Eva SheieAssistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah BurkhartEngineering: Voltage FM, Spencer ClarksonTheme music: Survive The Tide, Machina AeonCover Art:  DMARKMy Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.comQuestions this episode answers:What is Kratom — and why is it more dangerous than people buying it at gas stations think?What is the difference between Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine — and why does it matter?Why does Kratom withdrawal look nothing like opioid withdrawal?What does it look like to detox a 600-pound man taking 600mg of Kratom a day?Is Kratom actually non-narcotic — or is that just a legal loophole that's killing people?Why are hospital staff completely unprepared for Kratom withdrawal cases?How does a "natural" plant from Southeast Asia become as addictive as fentanyl?