Addiction clinics report sharp rise in kratom and 7-OH dependence cases

Addiction clinics nationwide are confronting a notable surge in dependence on kratom and the highly concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) found in newer products. At Boulder Care, the share of new patients reporting kratom use climbed from 3% in September 2025 to 14% by August 2026, prompting medical affairs head Ayesha Appa to describe the trend as an "explosion." Recovery Centers of America in Massachusetts, which previously admitted at most one kratom case per one outlet, now sees 10-20 patients weekly, many requiring opioid-type withdrawal management.

The rise follows FDA alerts labeling 7-OH as an emerging opioid threat and a pending DEA ban on high-potency formulations, though many states have already imposed limits. Clinicians note that users often start with low-strength powders or teas for energy, anxiety, or pain relief, but may progress to gummies, shots, or 7-OH products marketed as wellness items, sometimes unknowingly. Withdrawal can be intense, with symptoms such as agitation, sweating, and diarrhea, leading some centers to employ buprenorphine, naloxone, or methadone. Researchers caution that treatment data may reflect a biased sample, as many individuals manage withdrawal without professional help.