Alabama is one of only a few states where it’s illegal, but it is still a problem here.

Angela Edwards is living and working at the Lovelady Centre in Birmingham, the state’s capital; she’s dealing with addiction, and most recently, her drug of choice was kratom.

In July, the Food and Drug Administration recommended a scheduling action to control certain 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act.

Kratom is illegal in Alabama, but Long said manufacturers have created synthetic versions, and by changing just one molecule, they can skirt the law and sell the products here.

Edwards has been sober for a while now, but she’s not out of the woods. “It took me months to feel even normal. I still don’t have my full energy back,” she said.

Her advice to anyone thinking this might be a good idea?

“Don’t do it. It’s not, it’s not worth it, it’s not worth it.”