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www.EndKratomAddiction.org
YouTube: @EndKratomAddiction |
About our Guest: Dean Francis
Dean Francis founded End Kratom Addiction after his son Cameron spent nearly eight years addicted to a substance he found online, marketed as a safe herbal supplement. Dean founded End Kratom Addiction after Cameron's addiction and recovery. He testifies before state legislatures, briefs local officials, and works with medical and legal professionals to advance kratom regulation nationwide Cameron was a college athlete. He was not reckless. He was deceived. When the family finally got answers, in an emergency room in 2021, from a physician who explained plainly that kratom acts like an opioid, they were furious. Not at Cameron. At an industry that had marketed a dangerous product as harmless, and at a regulatory system that had allowed it. Dean started End Kratom Addiction so that no other family would be blindsided the way his was. |
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About our guest: Cameron Francis
Cameron Francis, son of Dean Francis, is a former Division I track and cross-country athlete, entrepreneur, and aspiring musician. His journey with Kratom began in 2017, during the latter part of his junior year of college, after discovering the substance through a YouTube video. At first, Kratom seemed almost too good to be true. It gave Cameron a boost of energy and focus, helping him perform better academically and seemingly excel even further in his track workouts. But within just a few months, everything changed. |
The benefits he initially experienced began to turn into the exact opposite. Cameron started waking up every morning experiencing what he now recognizes as opioid withdrawal, despite not even knowing what opioid withdrawal was at the time. His energy disappeared. His muscles felt depleted, making it difficult to finish workouts, let alone perform at the level he once had. He became increasingly lethargic, slept more often, and struggled to concentrate on his studies.
By his senior year, the consequences had become severe. Cameron ultimately quit both the track and cross-country teams and dropped out of college.
What began with a single decision to try what he believed was an “herbal supplement” turned into an eight-year battle with Kratom addiction, including multiple periods of sobriety and relapse. After years of struggling, Cameron eventually found a path that allowed him to break free from his addiction.
Today, Cameron is in recovery and rebuilding the life that Kratom took from him. He is pursuing his passion for music while also leading his video-production company, using his experience to speak openly about the realities of Kratom addiction.
Cameron never considered himself someone who was looking for drugs. He had no prior history of drug use and was not seeking to get high. He tried Kratom because it was presented to him as a natural, herbal supplement.
One decision. One substance. Eight years of his life.
Now, Cameron is committed to making sure others understand the risks he never knew when he took that first dose."
By his senior year, the consequences had become severe. Cameron ultimately quit both the track and cross-country teams and dropped out of college.
What began with a single decision to try what he believed was an “herbal supplement” turned into an eight-year battle with Kratom addiction, including multiple periods of sobriety and relapse. After years of struggling, Cameron eventually found a path that allowed him to break free from his addiction.
Today, Cameron is in recovery and rebuilding the life that Kratom took from him. He is pursuing his passion for music while also leading his video-production company, using his experience to speak openly about the realities of Kratom addiction.
Cameron never considered himself someone who was looking for drugs. He had no prior history of drug use and was not seeking to get high. He tried Kratom because it was presented to him as a natural, herbal supplement.
One decision. One substance. Eight years of his life.
Now, Cameron is committed to making sure others understand the risks he never knew when he took that first dose."
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About our Guest: Hilary Tesluck
Hilary Tesluck is the Executive Director of End Kratom Addiction and the co-founder of Quitting Kratom Support. A University of Michigan-Flint honors graduate in Psychology and Substance Use Treatment and a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Hilary has spent her career supporting individuals facing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and educational barriers. Rooted in her own 9-year recovery journey from kratom and 7-OH, Hilary now works full-time at the intersection of advocacy, policy, and peer support to prevent kratom addiction and empower those in kratom recovery. |
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We lead with science. We fight with facts. End Kratom Addiction is a national public health nonprofit. Our work has three pillars.
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