The Harsh Reality of Kratom Addiction: Rage, Anger, and Family Damage

Introduction: Kratom is an herbal substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. It has gained popularity as a so-called “natural” remedy for pain relief, energy, and even as a self-treatment for opioid withdrawal. However, the truth is that kratom can be highly addictive and far from harmless. In fact, kratom abuse can lead to severe mood disturbances, including episodes of rage and anger, along with a host of other dangerous physical and psychological effects. Families of kratom addicts often witness firsthand the devastating impact of these changes. This report delves into the harmful effects of kratom – particularly its tendency to cause intense anger and aggression – and examines how kratom addiction can wreak havoc on both users and their loved ones.

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) leaves – an herbal drug often misperceived as “safe” despite its powerful opioid-like effects and dangerous side effects.

Kratom’s Effects on Mood and Behavior: From Euphoria to Rage

Kratom affects the brain’s neurotransmitters in complex ways that can destabilize mood and behavior. At low doses, it acts as a stimulant, potentially increasing alertness and energy; at higher doses it has sedative, opioid-like effects. This rollercoaster effect on the central nervous system often results in dramatic mood swings. Initially, a user might experience pleasant feelings or calm, but as the drug’s effect wears off, irritability and emotional crashes frequently follow. Over time, regular kratom use alters dopamine and serotonin pathways, so the brain struggles to regulate mood without the drug. The result is a cycle of highs and lows – bursts of energy or relaxation from a dose, followed by anxiety, agitation, or depression as it fades.

One of the most troubling aspects of kratom’s impact is the anger and aggression it can induce. Medical experts have observed that kratom-related mood swings often include sudden bursts of anger and irritability. A person addicted to kratom may become uncharacteristically short-tempered, hostile, or prone to rage. These outbursts can occur both when the individual is under the influence (especially if taking excessive doses or mixing substances) and during withdrawal periods when they are craving the drug. In essence, the neurochemical havoc wreaked by kratom can erode impulse control and emotional stability, turning someone who was once kind or even-tempered into a person who is volatile and quick to anger. Family members often describe walking on eggshells around the user’s unpredictable moods.

It’s important to note that in extreme cases, kratom use has even been linked to psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion. While not everyone will experience these severe reactions, the fact that kratom can cause such effects underscores how profoundly it can disturb the mind. High doses or adulterated kratom products (which are not uncommon given the lack of regulation) further increase the risk of dangerous neuropsychological effects like seizures or toxic reactions. Even short of psychosis, the combination of stimulant and opioid-like properties can fuel anxiety and restlessness in a user, contributing to angry outbursts or violent behavior when things don’t go their way. Loved ones may observe drastic personality changes: the kratom addict can switch from calm to furious in minutes, creating a climate of fear in the household.

Kratom Addiction and Escalation to Other Substances

Beyond acute mood effects, kratom poses a significant risk of dependence and addiction. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies kratom as a “drug of concern” and reports that regular abuse can lead to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opioids. In fact, once someone is hooked on kratom, their brain essentially comes to rely on it to feel “normal,” and they often need increasingly large doses to stave off withdrawal. When the kratom is unavailable or wearing off, users can experience a range of distressing withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological. Common kratom withdrawal symptoms include anger, nervousness, restlessness, depression, anxiety, muscle pains, insomnia, runny nose, and other flu-like symptoms. The presence of anger and irritability in withdrawal is notable – an addicted person may lash out at those around them when they are in withdrawal-induced misery.

Kratom withdrawal can be intense and difficult to manage without help, which sometimes drives individuals to seek other drugs as substitutes. There have been cases of people undergoing opioid replacement therapy (like Suboxone) to try to break free from severe kratom addictions (a testament to how powerful kratom’s grip can be). In the story we will discuss later, for example, the individual resorted to Suboxone – a medication usually used for heroin or painkiller addiction – in an attempt to get off kratom. This kind of substitution indicates that kratom’s addictive potential mirrors that of classical opioids, to the point that medical intervention is needed to restore normalcy.

Tragically, kratom addiction can also be a gateway to other substance abuses. Because kratom acts on opioid receptors and provides stimulant effects, users may develop a tolerance or crave stronger highs over time. Some will start combining kratom with other drugs or alcohol to amplify effects, a dangerous practice that can lead to unpredictable interactions. (Notably, mixing kratom with other depressants or stimulants can heighten risks of seizures, respiratory problems, or cardiac issues.) Others may shift to entirely different substances if kratom no longer delivers the desired escape. The man whose story we examine later exemplified this pattern: after his kratom dependency spiraled out of control and he lost his job, he escalated to heavy cocaine and alcohol use, compounding the risk to himself and others.

The consequences of kratom addiction for the user are profound. Physically, chronic use can cause issues like high blood pressure, liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disturbances. Psychologically, long-term users often grapple with anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments as a result of repeated neurochemical disruption. They may also experience periods of confusion or memory issues. Behaviorally, an addicted person’s life begins to revolve around obtaining and using kratom, often to the detriment of their responsibilities and relationships. The DEA has noted that once addiction sets in, individuals will continue using the drug despite severe “behavioral, economic, social, emotional, physical, or relationship issues” caused by it. This means that a kratom addict might neglect work (risking job loss), deplete their finances to buy more substances, develop health crises, and alienate the people they care about – all while denying that anything is wrong.

Financial and legal troubles are common side effects of such addiction. For example, a kratom addict might start spending exorbitant amounts of money on the substance (or, later, on other drugs like cocaine), draining bank accounts or going into debt. They might also run into legal issues if their behavior under the influence leads to incidents (such as DUI or assault charges, as we’ll see in the case study). In summary, kratom addiction doesn’t just cause a mild dependency; it can engulf every aspect of a person’s life, leading them down a path of escalating drug use and personal ruin.

The Damage to Family Members and Loved Ones

While the user suffers physically and mentally from kratom addiction, the family members suffer in their own way – often as unseen victims of the addiction. Living with an addict who is frequently angry, unpredictable, or incapacitated takes a severe emotional toll. Spouses, children, and other relatives commonly experience chronic stress, fear, and anxiety as they face the addict’s mood swings and deteriorating behavior. They may feel as though they are on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster, unsure when the next rage episode or crisis will erupt. In households with kratom or other substance addiction, it’s not uncommon for trust to erode completely – the addicted person may lie, break promises, or even become deceitful about money and whereabouts, leaving family members feeling betrayed and helpless.

One particularly harrowing effect is the increased risk of domestic violence. Substance abuse and domestic abuse are tragically intertwined problems: studies estimate that nearly 80% of domestic violence incidents are associated with the use of drugs or alcohol. Individuals who are under the influence or in withdrawal are far more likely to become violent toward their partners or family, as substances lower inhibitions and amplify aggression. In fact, those who abuse drugs are significantly more likely to assault an intimate partner than those who do not use substances. Alcohol is a well-known factor in domestic assaults, and stimulants like cocaine can induce paranoia or aggression – combine these with kratom’s mood instability and you have a volatile mix. Children in such environments are at grave risk: estimates suggest a large proportion of child abuse or neglect cases also involve caregiver substance abuse. Even if physical violence does not occur, the emotional abuse and coercive control that often accompany addiction (lies, manipulation, intimidation) can be deeply damaging to a spouse’s and children’s psychological well-being.

Family members of addicts frequently develop health issues of their own due to the prolonged stress. These can include anxiety disorders, depression, and symptoms of trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (especially if domestic violence or frightening incidents have occurred). The American Psychological Association notes that families dealing with substance abuse show deteriorated psychological and interpersonal functioning, and often face domestic violence alongside the addiction problem. Children may exhibit behavioral problems, regress in school, or suffer emotionally from witnessing abuse or from the inconsistent, neglectful parenting that an addicted person often provides. The entire family dynamic may start revolving around “managing” the addict – walking carefully to avoid angering them, cleaning up their messes, or keeping secrets to maintain a facade of normalcy. This is an exhausting, soul-crushing existence for loved ones.

Financial and social strains on the family are also common. An addict who loses their job or drains accounts to fund their habit can plunge a family into economic instability. In the situation described by our user, for instance, the husband’s substance problems led to him being fired from his job (at his father’s company) and then burning through the family’s savings on bar outings and drugs. Large cash withdrawals and unexplained expenses often signal to spouses that an addiction is in control. This financial strain can limit the family’s opportunities and create constant conflict or worry about making ends meet. Socially, families dealing with an addicted member often become isolated – they may withdraw from friends or community out of shame or fear of judgment, or because the addict’s behavior has alienated others. The spouse of an addict can feel painfully alone, sometimes afraid to seek help due to threats or pressure from the addicted partner (a form of coercive control). In some cases, as in the one below, even the systems meant to protect the family (like courts or law enforcement) may fail them, leading to a sense of betrayal and despair.

In summary, the ripple effect of kratom addiction on family is devastating. Emotional trauma, physical danger, broken trust, financial ruin, social isolation – these are the heavy prices that wives, husbands, and children of addicts often pay. They are the collateral damage of the addiction. The following case study provides a real-world illustration of just how destructive these effects can be.

Case Study: A Family Torn Apart by Kratom and Polydrug Abuse

In this true account (shared by the victim for public disclosure), we see the trajectory of addiction – from kratom use to harder drugs – and the resulting chaos and trauma it inflicted on an innocent family.

Background: “Adam” (name given for the addicted husband) presented himself as a clean and sober individual when he married his wife in 2012. The marriage itself was entered under some external pressure – the couple’s church strongly urged them to marry since they had been living together, a situation the church frowned upon. Trusting Adam’s word that he was not using drugs, the wife agreed and hoped for a loving, stable union. Unfortunately, soon after the wedding, Adam began using kratom. What might have started as an experiment or a way to self-medicate quickly grew into a regular habit and then a dependency. As described earlier, kratom can hook its users, and Adam was no exception – he became addicted to kratom, consuming it routinely and exhibiting the telltale mood swings and irritability.

As Adam’s kratom addiction tightened its grip, his behavior changed noticeably. He became increasingly prone to anger. Small disagreements or everyday stresses could trigger disproportionate outbursts of rage. The man his wife had married – was now frequently on edge, snapping or screaming with little provocation. The household became a tense environment, with the wife and their young children never sure what mood Daddy would be in. At times Adam would apologize and claim he was trying to quit, but soon it became clear he could not stop on his own. In fact, Adam eventually resorted to Suboxone (buprenorphine) in an attempt to wean off the kratom, essentially acknowledging that he was facing an opioid-type addiction. This period was tumultuous: using Suboxone without proper medical supervision can itself cause mood disturbances, and Adam was oscillating between kratom and Suboxone. The wife tried to support him through withdrawals, but she also had to protect their children from his unpredictable temper.

By the end of 2019, Adam’s life was unraveling. His work performance had suffered due to his drug use and erratic behavior. Ultimately, he was fired from his job at his father’s company for theft. Losing his job was a turning point – and not for the better. Instead of using this as an opportunity to get clean, Adam descended further into substance abuse to cope with the shame and anger of unemployment. With more free time and a raging addiction, he expanded his drug use beyond kratom. In 2020 and 2021, Adam plunged into heavy cocaine use and binge drinking. He was no longer just a “kratom addict” – he had become a poly-substance abuser. Cocaine, a powerful stimulant, added fuel to the fire of his aggression, while alcohol lowered his inhibitions and clouded his judgment.

Throughout 2021, Adam spent most of his days and nights in bars, coming home late, intoxicated and volatile. Financial records later showed large cash withdrawals from their accounts, corresponding to his bar-hopping and drug purchases – money that the family desperately needed was literally being snorted up his nose or poured down his throat. The wife and children were essentially abandoned at home, left to fend for themselves emotionally and financially. When Adam did interact with them, he was often drunk or high, leading to terrifying situations. The children, mere toddlers/preschoolers, witnessed their father in states of rage or impairment that no child should ever have to see.

Violence soon erupted. In February of 2022, at a local bar, Adam’s escalating aggression found an outlet. He became involved in a barroom altercation with another patron, Milo Valenti. The conflict, shockingly, was sparked by something deeply personal: Adam had earlier discovered that a friend, Patrick Lally, had allowed Adam’s wife to screenshot text messages from Adam’s phone which contained evidence of his drug abuse and other misdeeds. Enraged that Patrick had helped expose his behavior, Adam threatened to shoot Patrick Lally in the head. This threat led to the physical altercation with Milo Valenti, a friend of Patrick’s who intervened to stop Adam from acting on his threats. The bar fight was chaotic and serious – guns were mentioned, fists flew, and the police were called. Adam’s violent outburst in public was a huge red flag of how dangerous he had become under the influence of drugs and anger.

Barely a week after the bar fight incident, the situation at home reached its darkest point. Adam assaulted his wife in a domestic violence incident. In a fit of rage – the culmination of years of substance-fueled anger – Adam assaulted his wife during an argument. The attack could easily have turned deadly. Fortunately, the wife survived, managed to get to safety, and reported the assault to the authorities. Adam was arrested and, facing the evidence (and perhaps wracked with belated remorse), pleaded guilty to domestic violence in court. One might assume that this would be the start of justice and protection for the victims – the wife and children – after enduring such trauma. Sadly, the story takes an upsetting twist in the legal system.

After the conviction, an unexpected custody battle outcome occurred: Despite Adam’s violent offense and his documented history of substance abuse, two months later a judge stripped the wife (the victim) of all rights to her sons and granted full custody to Adam – the abuser. This decision left everyone who knew the situation in disbelief and sent the wife into a new kind of nightmare. By any common-sense standard, the children should not have been placed with a father who had strangled their mother in front of them repeatedly over the course of their marriage and had a known drug problem. The wife asserts that this outrageous outcome was not a mere judicial error but the result of corruption and collusion. She alleges that the judge in her case Susan K Steinhauer and Adam’s attorney, Lisa Dean, colluded for profit, essentially manipulating the proceedings to ensure Adam (the son of a business owner) retained custody, possibly in exchange for favors or financial incentives including the judge months after the ruling securing herself a position as partner at opposing counsels firm. These are serious allegations that highlight a failure in the justice system – instead of protecting the victims of domestic violence, the court’s actions effectively re-victimized them, delivering the children back into the hands of the person who had harmed them.

As it stands now, the wife – a loving mother who has never been deemed unfit except for the smears apparently used against her in court – remains separated from her sons. The children are in the custody of Adam, whose addictions and abusive behavior have not magically disappeared. The wife fears every day for their safety and well-being. She has been fighting for nearly four years to have the courts recognize the danger and trauma the boys are in, but so far her pleas have been met with stonewalling and retaliation. The situation has left her feeling that victims have been utterly abandoned by those in power. Her story is a chilling illustration of how being married to a drug addict and alcoholic can devolve into a worst-case scenario: domestic violence, broken families, and systemic injustice.

Before marrying, this woman never “chose” a life of abuse and chaos – “He lied to me and said he was clean when I married him,” she recounts, emphasizing that she entered the marriage under false pretenses and coercion from the church community. She has since learned, in the hardest way, that love and good faith cannot fix someone’s addiction. As she succinctly puts it, “This is what being married to a drug addict and alcoholic is like. I don’t choose this life.” Her hope in sharing these details is to raise public awareness about the dangers of kratom and substance abuse, and to shine a light on how institutions can fail victims if biases or corruption take hold.

Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle and Seeking Help

The saga above underscores the core message of this report: kratom addiction is not a private, harmless vice – it can trigger rage and destructive behavior that ripples outward, causing real damage to families and communities. What started as an “herbal supplement” usage ended in overt violence and a family torn apart. For anyone reading this who may be struggling with kratom or any substance: know that help is available and early intervention is crucial. Don’t dismiss kratom as just a tea or “legal high” – its effects on mood can be profound, and if you find yourself getting unusually angry or dependent on it, treat it as the serious issue it is. Similarly, family members who see these red flags should seek support – whether through counseling, support groups, or legal means – to protect themselves and their loved ones.

On a larger scale, authorities and healthcare providers are increasingly aware of kratom’s risks. The U.S. FDA has warned against its use, and the DEA continues to monitor it as a substance of concern. Some states have moved toward regulation or bans. There is ongoing research and advocacy for better control of kratom products and for more resources to treat those addicted. Meanwhile, domestic violence organizations emphasize that substance abuse never excuses abuse, and victims have a right to safety and justice. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, reach out to professionals – therapists, domestic violence hotlines, addiction specialists – because no one should have to endure what this family did.

In conclusion, the harmful effects of kratom go well beyond the user’s own health. Kratom-induced rage and addiction can destroy relationships, careers, and lives. It can turn a caring spouse into an aggressor and a home into a battleground. By understanding these dangers, we can better caution potential users, encourage addicts to get help, and push for systems that protect families. The story shared here is a sobering testament to the stakes – real people suffer when addiction runs rampant. Let it also be a call to action to ensure that no more families have to experience such preventable tragedy.

Carey Ann George

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic – “Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective”

• University of North Texas Health Science Center – Public health warning on kratom’s dangers

• Lincoln Behavioral Services / American Addiction Centers – “3 Dangers of Kratom” (DEA reports on withdrawal symptoms)

• Southern Live Oak Wellness – “Understanding Kratom Mood Swings” (effects on anger and mood)

• American Addiction Centers – “Kratom: Side Effects and Withdrawal” (withdrawal symptom list)

• Pyramid Healthcare – “The Link Between Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse” (statistics on substance-related domestic violence)