When the opioid crisis arrived General Practioners could not or would not prescribe drugs like Tramadol anymore. As a result I had to go to the Virginia Spine and Pain Institute in Charlottesville. There the doctors tried to upsell me on procedures to deal with my pain. After the sales pitch and after paying a considerable amount I was able to get Tramadol. Subsequently, a friend recommended I try kratom as a herbal alternative. It worked! I have been using it in moderation for several years now. It's affordable and if it was sourced properly it would be safer I suppose. If you want to do something make sure the process of preparing it is safe.