Lisha Adcock, a Mississippi resident, credits the herbal supplement kratom with saving her life and helping her family manage chronic pain without opioids. In a personal essay for the Magnolia Tribune, Adcock shared her journey from opioid addiction to recovery, emphasizing how kratom has allowed her to lead a productive life while avoiding the devastating side effects of prescription painkillers.
Adcock’s story began in 2010, when she became dependent on opioids after a series of medical issues. Despite trying alternatives like Suboxone, she struggled with side effects and eventual relapse. Her turning point came when her husband, also suffering from chronic pain, introduced her to kratom. Derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom is often used to manage pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. For Adcock, it provided relief without the high or cravings associated with opioids.
However, kratom remains controversial in the United States. The FDA has raised concerns about its safety, citing risks such as liver toxicity, seizures, and dependence. The agency has also warned against its use due to insufficient evidence supporting its safety and efficacy as a dietary supplement. Despite these warnings, many users like Adcock report significant benefits, particularly in managing chronic pain and opioid addiction recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), some studies suggest kratom may hold potential as an experimental treatment for substance use disorders, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
In Mississippi, lawmakers are considering banning kratom altogether—a move Adcock believes would devastate families like hers. She advocates instead for the adoption of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), which would regulate the sale of kratom by enforcing age restrictions, requiring product testing for contaminants, and mandating clear labeling. Similar measures have been enacted in states like Arizona and Utah to ensure consumer safety while preserving access for responsible users.
Adcock warns that a ban could push kratom into the black market, increasing risks of contamination and misuse. This concern is echoed by public health experts who note that unregulated markets often lead to adulterated products with dangerous additives. According to a review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, contaminated or synthetic kratom products have been linked to severe health outcomes, including cardiovascular and neurological effects.
Despite the controversy, Adcock remains steadfast in her belief that kratom has been a lifeline for her family. She describes how it enables her to work as a hairstylist, care for her children, and maintain an active lifestyle despite ongoing health challenges. “Without it,” she writes, “I truly don’t know what I would do.”
As the debate over kratom continues nationwide, stories like Adcock’s highlight the complex balance between potential benefits and risks. Advocates argue that regulation—not prohibition—is key to ensuring safe access while addressing legitimate public health concerns. For now, families like hers are left hoping their voices will be heard before legislative decisions are made.
For more details on Lisha Adcock’s story and her plea to lawmakers, read her full essay at Magnolia Tribune.