Regular kratom leaf is so mild. Coffee is way more addictive. I've quit kratom cold turkey each time I've taken a tolerance break and had no issues. I cannot quit caffeine cold turkey.
I'm not recommending gas station kratom extract shots. Dry, ground leaf is what I take. OP asked for something other than caffeine which isn't exactly healthy in the amounts the meme describes.
Was your roommate using the liquid shots? I feel like you've gotten some bad information regarding what kratom is and isn't. I assume you've never tried it. Is that correct?