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Mountainside Treatment Center has reported a sharp increase in admissions linked to kratom use, coinciding with mounting national concern over the unregulated substance and its potent derivative, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
The rise follows recent legislative developments, including Florida’s ban on 7-OH and proposed legislation in Connecticut (HB 6855), prompting greater public awareness and demand for treatment.
Jana Wu’s virtual Kratom Support Group continues to expand its reach, particularly among participants in Florida and New York City, where access to kratom products remains largely unrestricted. At the same time, Mountainside’s Detox Programme is witnessing a steady climb in patients seeking help for kratom dependency, with clinical staff noting that withdrawal symptoms are increasingly severe and enduring.
“Many people assume kratom is a safe, natural alternative to opioids, but detoxing from kratom and 7-OH can be just as complex,” said Jana Wu, LCSW, LADC, ICADC, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside.
“We’re seeing individuals struggling with dependence and withdrawal, often unaware of the risks. Mountainside has been tracking kratom use for several years and the acuity of clients for 7-OH in particular, can be even more severe.”
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse stated in the Wall Street Journal on August 19, 2025, that “people with opioid use disorders who use kratom will turn to much more dangerous drugs, leading to an increase in overdose deaths.”
Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia whose leaves contain natural alkaloids—primarily mitragynine—that act on opioid receptors, producing stimulant effects at low doses and sedative or euphoric effects at higher doses.
7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a semi-synthetic derivative of kratom, is far more potent. It occurs naturally in trace amounts but is often concentrated or added to commercial products, dramatically increasing addiction potential and withdrawal severity.
While kratom alone can cause dependence, 7-OH-enhanced products carry significantly higher risks for tolerance, craving, and withdrawal—often prompting individuals to seek medical detox or specialized support groups for education and recovery.
Mountainside’s medically supervised detox provides a safe environment for individuals withdrawing from kratom and other substances through:
- Professionals who have extensive experience and understanding of Kratom and 7-OH withdrawal
- Engagement in an in-person Kratom support group
- 24-hour medical oversight for safety and comfort
- Holistic stabilization includes nutrition, mindfulness, and rest
- Trauma-informed therapy and psychoeducation to reduce relapse risk
The FDA and CDC have raised concerns about kratom’s unregulated status and contamination in imported or synthetic products. As these issues draw national attention, Mountainside continues to serve as a trusted leader in kratom education, treatment, and advocacy.
Mountainside’s experts have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, iHeart Radio, and the Dopey Podcast.
“Our goal is not to stigmatize—it’s to educate and support,” Wu emphasized. “People deserve accurate information, safe treatment, and a path forward.”
Let’s Talk Kratom Support Group
Tuesdays at 7-8pm Eastern, facilitated by a licensed clinician and Recovery Coach
https://www.mountainside.com/resources/support-groups/virtual/ltk-support-group/
