Teenager D!es Of Overdose After Using ChatGPT As ‘Drug Buddy’

Sam’s mother, Leila Turner-Scott, said her son had increasingly relied on the AI chatbot as a form of companionship during a period marked by anxiety, depression, and substance dependence. Chat logs reviewed after his death showed Sam asking questions about drug combinations, dosages, and potential risks.

In one exchange from 2023, Sam wrote that he wanted to avoid accidentally taking too much of a substance and claimed there was limited information available elsewhere. Initial responses from the chatbot reportedly declined to provide guidance and encouraged him to seek help from medical professionals.

However, according to his family, Sam continued engaging the system over time and reframed questions in ways that led to increasingly permissive or non-directive responses. His mother later described the chatbot as having become a kind of “drug buddy” in his mind, though there is no evidence the AI replaced medical advice or intentionally encouraged substance misuse.

Events Leading to His Death

In May 2025, Sam disclosed his addiction to his mother. He was admitted to a treatment clinic and placed on a care plan. Tragically, he was found dead in his room the following day.

A toxicology report later confirmed that his death resulted from a combination of alcohol, Xanax, and kratom. The chat history also indicated long-standing mental health struggles, including anxiety that affected his reactions to substances such as cannabis.

Response From OpenAI