Pittsburgh Hospital Reports Uptick in Kratom Withdrawals, Highlighting Risks of Unregulated Substances
A Pittsburgh-area hospital, AHN Wexford, is experiencing a concerning increase in patient withdrawals from kratom, often referred to as 'gas station heroin.' Dr. Christopher Eicher of AHN Wexford described kratom as a 'formula for disaster,' noting that the hospital typically sees one to two kratom withdrawal patients per month, but has recently admitted multiple patients to its ICU, ICU stepdown wards, and telemetry ward within the last month. Kratom, derived from an evergreen tree native to Asia, is not heavily regulated in Pennsylvania and is readily available in gas stations and vape shops. This easy accessibility means individuals often consume it without knowing its exact contents or potency, leading to severe health issues. The uptick in withdrawals coincides with discussions by the DEA regarding potential legislation to regulate the substance.
