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

Why it matters

Treatment providers report a rapid increase in patients seeking care for dependence and withdrawal linked to kratom products and concentrated 7-OH. The figures underscore the need for clinicians to distinguish traditional leaf products from higher-potency derivatives when assessing risk and treatment needs.

The big picture

Kratom has been sold in the United States as powder, capsules, and tea, while newer products may contain much higher 7-hydroxymitragynine concentrations. The article reports clinic-level observations rather than a national prevalence estimate, so the figures describe service demand and should not be generalized to all users.

Key findings

• Boulder Care said kratom-product users represented 3% of new patients in September 2025, rising to 8% in July 2026 and 14% in August 2026.
• Recovery Centers of America clinics in Massachusetts reported an increase from no more than one kratom patient per week last year to 10–20 patients per week recently.
• Providers described withdrawal symptoms including agitation, sweating, anxiety, and diarrhea.
• Nearly one in three new Boulder Care patients starting buprenorphine in the prior month reported current kratom or 7-OH use.
• The report links growing treatment demand to concentrated 7-OH products, changing access, and use alongside other substances.

What they say

“That really is quite an explosion,” said Ayesha Appa, head of medical affairs at Boulder Care.

Bottom line

Clinic reports point to a fast-growing need for evidence-based assessment and withdrawal care, especially among people using concentrated 7-OH products.