We get asked this a lot, and we want to give a precise answer rather than a simple yes or no.
What the evidence shows
The available evidence does not show the same established dependence and withdrawal pattern associated with substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids. That's a real and meaningful difference. But we're not going to describe kava using absolute claims like "kava cannot be addictive" — problematic patterns of use can occur with any psychoactive substance, and an absolute claim isn't one the evidence fully supports.
What we're not going to claim
This article previously described kava as an "anti-craving agent" that could help people quit alcohol or other drugs. We don't stand behind that. Kava is not a treatment for substance dependence, and if you're managing addiction or considering a change to how you use another substance, that's a conversation for a doctor or addiction specialist — not something to work out with a botanical beverage.