Kaiser Permanente Warns of Back-to-School Substance Use Risks, Including Kratom, Vaping, and Alcohol
Kaiser Permanente is issuing a warning to parents and caregivers about the increased risk of substance use among students returning to school. The organization highlights that academic, social, and personal pressures can lead young people to cope with stress by turning to substances that may appear harmless due to deceptive marketing. Dr. Sudheer Earanky, an addiction medicine specialist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, specifically noted concerns about kratom and concentrated kratom-derived products, as well as vaping, nicotine products, and sweetened alcoholic beverages. These products often feature colorful packaging, appealing flavors, social media marketing, and wellness-focused branding, which can make them attractive to youth while masking potential addiction and health consequences. Kaiser Permanente emphasizes that young people might use these substances to manage anxiety or stress, potentially delaying necessary treatment for underlying issues. Kratom products, particularly those with 7-hydroxym...