{"id":134147,"date":"2026-05-12T22:03:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T22:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/lawsuit-accuses-chatgpt-of-becoming-illegal-drug-coach-to-teens\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T22:04:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T22:04:55","slug":"lawsuit-accuses-chatgpt-of-becoming-illegal-drug-coach-to-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/lawsuit-accuses-chatgpt-of-becoming-illegal-drug-coach-to-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawsuit accuses ChatGPT of becoming &#8216;illegal drug coach&#8217; to teens"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-content-wrapper=\"true\">\n<div class=\"e_f\">\n<div class=\"e_bu\" style=\"max-width:1920px\"><picture class=\"e_Gh\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;aspect-ratio:1920 \/ 1080\"><source sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-1536w-864h.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-675w-380h.jpg.webp 675w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-64w-36h.jpg.webp 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-1000w-563h.jpg.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-300w-170h.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-1280w-720h.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ChatGPT-stock-photo-11-840w-472h.jpg.webp 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"e_xw e_cu\">\n<p>Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-container-type=\"content\" class=\"e_Sk e_e e_S\">\n<p>TL;DR<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>OpenAI is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after ChatGPT allegedly advised 19-year-old Sam Nelson to take a combination of kratom and Xanax.<\/li>\n<li>Nelson&#8217;s parents claim Chattgpt became an &#8220;illegal drug coach&#8221; when she asked him for advice about experimenting with drugs.<\/li>\n<li>OpenAI denied wrongdoing, saying that the underlying model is no longer available and that ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>Relying on AI chatbots for dinner ideas or technical support makes sense, but advice about medical issues should definitely be something you leave to the experts. As can be mentioned, these chatbots are not doctors, and we have seen from the flattering nature that they may have a vested interest in keeping you happy. It became a dangerous combination when a 19-year-old man used ChatGPT for advice on how to &#8220;safely&#8221; experiment with the drugs, a new lawsuit alleges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_ym\">\n<div class=\"e_Bm e_Fu\">\n<h3 class=\"e_Iu\">Have you left ChatGPT for another AI tool?<\/h3>\n<p>478 votes<\/p>\n<div class=\"e_Ku e_Jm\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_Lu\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I&#8217;ve moved on to another AI assistant instead.<\/p>\n<p>59<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_Lu\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I gave up but I have no plans to use any other AI assistant.<\/p>\n<p>7<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_Lu\"><\/p>\n<p>No, I&#8217;m sticking to ChatGPT.<\/p>\n<p>26<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_Lu\"><\/p>\n<p>Other (Tell us more in the comments.)<\/p>\n<p>8<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>As reported <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/tech-policy\/2026\/05\/will-i-be-ok-teen-died-after-chatgpt-pushed-deadly-mix-of-drugs-lawsuit-says\/\"><em>Ars Technica<\/em><\/a>OpenAI is facing another <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.arstechnica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Nelson-v-OpenAI-Complaint-5-12-26.pdf\">wrongful death lawsuit<\/a> Sam Nelson&#8217;s parents alleged that GPT-4o encouraged him to take a deadly mixture of substances. Nelson died in May 2025 from what the lawsuit describes as a fatal combination of alcohol, Xanax and Kratom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_f\">\n<div class=\"e_bu\" style=\"max-width:1854px\"><picture class=\"e_Gh\" style=\"padding-top:76.43%;aspect-ratio:1854 \/ 1417\"><source sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs.jpg.webp 1854w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-64w-49h.jpg.webp 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1000w-764h.jpg.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1413w-1080h.jpg.webp 1413w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1130w-864h.jpg.webp 1130w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-497w-380h.jpg.webp 497w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-675w-516h.jpg.webp 675w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" title=\"ChatGPT encouraged teen to take deadly mix of drugs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs.jpg 1854w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-64w-49h.jpg 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1000w-764h.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1413w-1080h.jpg 1413w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-1130w-864h.jpg 1130w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-497w-380h.jpg 497w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs-675w-516h.jpg 675w\" alt=\"ChatGPT encouraged teen to take deadly mix of drugs\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ChatGPT-Encouraged-Teen-to-Take-Lethal-Mix-of-Drugs.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>According to the complaint, Nelson had used ChatGPT for years and viewed it as an authoritative source of information. Her parents allege that the chatbot gradually became an &#8220;illicit drug coach&#8221;, giving her practical advice on drug use and combinations rather than constantly steering her away from danger. Nelson reportedly often began messages with &#8220;Will I be OK?&#8221; Such questions were there. or &#8220;Is it safe to consume?&#8221; The lawsuit points to chat logs in which ChatGPT recorded that Nelson had &#8220;a major substance abuse and polysubstance abuse problem,&#8221; while later providing advice on how to &#8220;optimize&#8221; drug experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>The central allegation relates to the exchange dated May 31, 2025. In a log included in the complaint, ChatGPT said that low doses of Xanax could help reduce kratom-induced nausea and &#8220;smooth out&#8221; the high, listing it among Nelson&#8217;s &#8220;best&#8221; tricks if he felt nauseous. The chatbot reportedly warned against mixing that mixture with alcohol in the same session, but the lawsuit says it did not mention the risk of death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>To no one&#8217;s surprise, OpenAI does not acknowledge that ChatGPT was responsible for Nelson&#8217;s death. In a statement to Ars Technica, spokesperson Drew Pusateri called it a &#8220;heartbreaking situation&#8221; and said the model involved is no longer available. He added that ChatGPT is &#8220;not a substitute for medical or mental health care&#8221; and that OpenAI continues to strengthen its responses to sensitive situations with input from mental health experts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>Nelson&#8217;s family claims OpenAI launched GPT-4o without adequate safeguards and designed ChatGPT to keep vulnerable users engaged, even when it meant providing dangerous reassurances. They are seeking damages, as well as an injunction that would force ChatGPT to cease illegal-drug discussions, halt efforts to get around those limits, destroy retired GPT-4O models, and detain ChatGPT Health until an independent audit is completed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_6l e_5l\" data-container-type=\"content\">\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t want to miss the best of <em>Android Authority<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_lo\"><picture class=\"e_po e_qo e_Gh\" style=\"padding-top:31.51%;aspect-ratio:676 \/ 213\"><source sizes=\"9.375rem\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png.webp 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png.webp 64w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"9.375rem\" title=\"Google Preferred Source Badge Lite@2x\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w\" alt=\"Google Preferred Source Badge Lite@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/><\/picture><picture class=\"e_po e_Gh\" style=\"padding-top:31.51%;aspect-ratio:676 \/ 213\"><source sizes=\"9.375rem\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png.webp 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png.webp 64w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"9.375rem\" title=\"Google Preferred Source Badge Dark@2x\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w\" alt=\"Google Preferred Source Badge Dark@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_S\">\n<p>OpenAI can point to other logs that show ChatGPT encouraged Nelson to seek real-world support or emergency resources, but it may still face some accountability. The family&#8217;s legal team highlighted a recently enacted California law that prohibits AI firms from &#8220;attempting to blame the alleged autonomous nature of AI for plaintiff&#8217;s losses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-container-type=\"content\">\n<div class=\"e_Dd e_S\">\n<p>Thank you for being a part of our community. Please read our comment policy before posting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority TL;DR OpenAI is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after ChatGPT allegedly advised 19-year-old Sam Nelson to take a combination of kratom and Xanax. Nelson&#8217;s parents claim Chattgpt became an &#8220;illegal drug coach&#8221; when she asked him for advice about experimenting with drugs. OpenAI denied wrongdoing, saying that the underlying model<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":134148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[3886,2202,2276,2878,3749,2248,456],"class_list":["post-134147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-devotionals","tag-accuses","tag-chatgpt","tag-coach","tag-drug","tag-illegal","tag-lawsuit","tag-teens"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134147"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":134149,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134147\/revisions\/134149"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}