Before covering kratom addiction, it’s important to explain what this drug is. It’s a type of tropical tree that grows naturally in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa. For hundreds of years, people have been using the leaves as a natural pain reliever. Typically, they brew the leaves into a tea or chew on them to release its chemical compound.

In very low doses, kratom leaves act more like a stimulant. When people start taking kratom in large amounts, though, it has more of a sedative effect. In some cases, it can lead to psychotic episodes, according to the DEA. Some people also say that the drug produces an opium-like high in large doses.

Data shows that just over 40 percent of all kratom use between 2010 and 2015 required some kind of treatment. During the same time frame, nearly 10 percent resulted in life-threatening or major illnesses. Between 2014 and 2016, there were at least 15 deaths from kratom use in the United States.