To be clear, 7-OH is a specific chemical produced in kratom that people have learned to extract. The leaf itself is fine and mildly addictive but when you get straight to the source, and begin to use extracts, you can spiral quickly. That’s honestly the case for most drugs.
the serotonin impacts are what makes kratom hard to kick though because the brain fog lasts for a long, long time following and the cravings never truly seem to go away.
I would say it’s better than being addicted to alcohol or other opioids though. Stay away from anything marketed to mimic street drugs, powder or leaf, and you might be okay. But if you have an addictive personality it’s best to stay away all together.