‘I was a Kpod addict’: A vape user’s journey through addiction and rehab
Ben (not his real name), 27, became addicted to Kpods after his cousin’s girlfriend introduced him to the drug. His addiction caused him to attempt to harm himself and attack his mother. Now in recovery, he spoke to ST about his journey.
Ben (not his real name) was addicted to Kpods and even borrowed from licensed moneylenders to feed his habit. He went for rehabilitation in 2025. ST ILLUSTRATIONS: CEL GULAPA
Chasing the high
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 17. By the time I was 20, I was smoking about one pack a day. In 2018, I started vaping to save money.
Back then, a vape cost about the same as a pack of cigarettes, but it lasted for about a month. I eventually vaped more than I smoked because I didn’t need to leave my house to vape.
In June 2024, my cousin’s girlfriend introduced me to Kpods. She told me: “This thing is stronger than cigarettes.”
I didn’t think much of it, but when I started visiting KTVs and clubs with my cousin, he would share his Kpods with me.
At first, I used it only when I went drinking with him, but later on I started visiting the clubs without him. At the clubs, I met people who were using and selling Kpods, and began buying from them.
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
I started using Kpods more frequently – at home and on the way to work at the bubble tea shop.
I was chasing the high that the Kpods brought me.
While at work, I would contact my dealer on Telegram and ask him to deliver the pods to my void deck.
By August 2024, I noticed my addiction was getting worse, partly due to the stress I was facing at work. To prevent others from finding out, I quit my job.
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
Things started going downhill from there. I would vape up to three pods a day.
I used up my last pay cheque on Kpods, and borrowed $5,000 from licensed moneylenders and the bank to feed my habit.
Although my mother has helped me to pay off about $4,000, I am still more than $7,000 in debt, after including the interest on the loans.
On Nov 19, 2024, I almost harmed myself while I was high on Kpods.
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
My mother, a single parent, clung on to me as I walked towards a window in our HDB living room. I struggled with her and pushed her against the wall. The neighbours intervened and called the police. I was arrested and detained for one night.
I wasn’t thinking much during that period.
Over the next few months, I tried to stay clean, but relapsed several times. In my mind, I wanted to use Kpods, but also sober up. I thought I could have the best of both worlds.
However, from November 2024 to July 2025, I noticed that the time between each relapse was getting shorter and shorter, from four months to two months, and then one month.
The turning point
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
On July 31, 2025, I argued with my mother about my Kpods. She locked me out of the flat, and I tried to enter through the window by climbing over the parapet. We live on a high floor. My mother called the police on me, and I was arrested a second time.
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
I was admitted to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for two weeks because my mother did not want me back until I kicked my addiction. While in IMH, I thought about my previous attempts to get clean. I did not have any resources and support then, and I wanted to see what rehab had to offer.
I attended the rehabilitation programme at the National Addictions Management Service (Nams), where I stayed for three weeks.
When I called my mother to tell her I wanted to go for rehab, she was overjoyed.
While in rehab, I had counselling and lessons on how to manage my addiction and emotions. In one of the memorable sessions, a counsellor asked me: “Have you had enough of this behaviour?”
His question struck me, and I told myself enough was enough. This addiction was suffocating me. I wanted my life back.
My month-long stay at IMH and Nams cost about $8,000, which was paid with MediSave and MediShield Life.
After I was discharged on Sept 3, I went to support group sessions every weekday at We Care Community Services, an addiction recovery centre.
I deleted Telegram from my phone, and cut off contact with my friends who use Kpods.
I want to earn back my mother’s trust, and be well enough to apologise to her for what I did.
Helplines
Mental well-being
- National helpline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp)
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
- Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
- Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)
- The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm)
- Tinkle Friend (for primary school-age children): 1800-2744-788
Counselling
- Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
- Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
- Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366
- We Care Community Services: 3165-8017
- Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293
- Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990
Online resources
