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Kratom Crisis: US Sees Addiction Surge
22 Sep
Summary
- Addiction treatment centers report a significant increase in patients dependent on kratom.
- Newer products contain potent 7-OH, which acts like opioids and causes severe withdrawal.
- The DEA has proposed a ban on 7-OH due to its emerging opioid threat status.
Across the United States, addiction treatment centers are reporting a substantial increase in patients struggling with dependence on kratom and its more potent compound, 7-OH. Telehealth clinic Boulder Care observed a jump in new patients reporting kratom use, climbing from 3% in September 2025 to 14% by August 2026. This trend signifies a significant escalation in problematic use.
Kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is often marketed for mood enhancement, energy, or pain relief. However, newer products concentrate 7-OH, which directly affects opioid receptors in the brain, mimicking opioid effects and leading to severe withdrawal symptoms. These can include agitation, sweating, anxiety, and diarrhea, often described as similar to traditional opiate withdrawal.
Physicians note that many patients begin using kratom innocuously, unaware of the risks, only to find themselves in a "potency rabbit hole." Some individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder have rapidly lost control after trying kratom. Inpatient clinics, which previously admitted few kratom patients weekly, now see 10 to 20 such cases weekly, often alongside other substance use.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified 7-OH as an emerging opioid threat. The Drug Enforcement Administration has proposed a rule to ban 7-OH above certain levels, though it remains under review. Many states have already implemented their own restrictions on kratom products, which may be pushing users into withdrawal and escalating the need for treatment.
