Man Starts Kratom Anonymous After 10-Month Addiction

Greg Kiesow thought the concentrated kratom bottle would simply give him an energy boost, like caffeine. Instead, it cost him 18 and a half years of sobriety and led to a 10-month struggle with addiction.

Kiesow, who now leads Kratom Anonymous, says he was told 7-OH, a concentrated form of the plant-based substance, would be harmless. What started as an energy supplement quickly became something he needed just to avoid feeling sick.

"Maybe for the first couple of weeks I felt good, and then it was just taking it not to feel sick," Kiesow said. The substance acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, and concentrated versions contain much higher levels than what's naturally found in the kratom plant.

After 72 days of carefully tapering off, Kiesow marked November 21, 2025 as his clean date. Just 17 days later, he founded Kratom Anonymous to help others facing the same struggle.

The nonprofit operates as a 12-step fellowship specifically for kratom recovery. In just 10 months, the organization has welcomed over 400 people to its virtual meetings.

Kiesow says more than 95% of attendees have already tried to quit on their own without success. The meetings offer something different: people who truly understand what withdrawal feels like and how to navigate recovery.

The Ripple Effect

Kratom Anonymous now holds 15 free virtual meetings every week. Participants can join from anywhere, and they don't have to turn on their cameras or speak if they're not ready.

The timing couldn't be more important. As Coos County, Oregon considers restrictions on kratom products, Kiesow's group provides immediate support for people seeking help right now.

His message to anyone struggling is straightforward: seek help, whether medical or through support groups, because recovery doesn't have to happen alone. "I just want them to know there's hope. You can conquer the addiction," he said.

What began as one person's recovery journey has become a lifeline for hundreds discovering they don't have to fight this battle by themselves.