Addiction Clinics Report Surge in Kratom and 7-OH Withdrawal Cases

Addiction treatment clinics across the country are experiencing a significant increase in patients seeking help for dependency on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), potent botanical substances that produce opioid-like effects. These plant-based products, often marketed as legal alternatives to prescription medications, are proving highly addictive with withdrawal symptoms comparable to opioid addiction. Patients are reporting severe physical and psychological withdrawal effects, challenging treatment providers to develop specialized protocols. This trend highlights the growing public health concern surrounding unregulated botanical substances and underscores the importance of raising awareness about their addiction potential among healthcare providers and the general public in Puerto Rico.