Pubdate: Sat, 07 Dec 2019
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2019 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl
Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Kevin Robinson

KRATOM IS WIDELY AVAILABLE IN GAS STATIONS, DESPITE EXPERTS' WARNINGS OF 
ADDICTION, RISKS

There's not much solid data about how widespread the use of a
psychoactive plant called kratom is in the U.S.

But if what Dr. Marvin Seppala is seeing in addiction treatment
centers all over the country is any indication, use of kratom isn't
just on the rise; it's becoming normalized.

"What we're seeing is regular use of it, especially in adolescents and
young adults," said Seppala, chief medical officer at the Hazelden
Betty Ford Foundation and a 2018 CivicCon speaker. "It really fits in
with alcohol, marijuana and tobacco. It's legal, so it's really easy
for kids to get a hold of, and they'll try it to see what it does to
them."

Kratom is a plant that grows naturally in southeast Asian countries
such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. A relative of the coffee
plant, kratom affects the same brain receptors as opiates. It is
typically taken in a powder, pill or liquid form.

In low doses, kratom users report feeling increased energy,
sociability and alertness, and in higher doses, they claim it acts as
a sedative and pain reliever.
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MAP posted-by: Matt