Outpatient Treatment for Kratom and 7-OH Dependence
At Westwind Recovery®, our dual diagnosis program in Los Angeles provides outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) use, including those experiencing co-occurring mental health concerns.
Kratom and 7-OH products have become increasingly accessible, often sold online and in smoke shops, convenience stores, and other retail settings. Because these products may be easy to purchase, some people assume they carry little risk. However, repeated use can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and difficulty stopping.
Concentrated 7-OH products deserve particular attention. While 7-OH occurs naturally in trace amounts in the kratom plant, highly concentrated 7-OH products are different from traditional kratom leaf. The FDA has warned that concentrated 7-OH products have opioid properties and may carry risks of addiction, withdrawal, and other serious health effects.
For individuals who are appropriate for outpatient care, Westwind Recovery® provides structured support to address both substance use and the emotional or mental health challenges that may contribute to it.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Products containing kratom may be sold as powders, capsules, extracts, drinks, or other formulations.
People may use kratom for a variety of reasons, including relaxation, energy, pain, or in an attempt to manage opioid withdrawal. However, kratom and its compounds are not FDA-approved treatments for opioid use disorder or other medical conditions.
With repeated use, some individuals can develop physical dependence and experience withdrawal when they try to reduce or stop their use.
What Is 7-OH?
7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH, 7-hydroxy, 7-HMG, or 7-OHMG, is a compound associated with the kratom plant.
An important distinction exists between the trace amounts of 7-OH naturally present in kratom leaves and today’s concentrated 7-OH products.
Concentrated products may be sold as tablets, gummies, shots, drink mixes, or enhanced kratom products. These formulations can expose consumers to much higher concentrations of 7-OH than would naturally occur in kratom leaf.
Because 7-OH interacts with opioid receptors, repeated use of concentrated products may lead to tolerance, physical dependence, cravings, and withdrawal.
Signs Kratom or 7-OH Use May Be Becoming a Problem
Not everyone who has used kratom will develop a substance use disorder. However, it may be time to seek professional help when use begins affecting your health, relationships, mental health, work, or ability to function without the substance.
Potential warning signs include:
- Taking kratom or 7-OH every day or multiple times throughout the day
- Needing more of the product to achieve the same effect
- Experiencing cravings or thinking frequently about the next dose
- Feeling physically or emotionally unwell when you don’t use it
- Using primarily to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Trying to cut back or stop without success
- Spending increasing amounts of money on kratom or 7-OH
- Hiding the extent of your use from friends or family
- Continuing to use despite negative consequences
- Experiencing worsening anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or other mental health symptoms
Kratom, 7-OH and Mental Health
Substance use doesn’t always occur in isolation.
Someone may initially turn to kratom or 7-OH while struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic stress, emotional distress, or another challenge. Over time, substance use and mental health symptoms can begin reinforcing one another.
This is where dual diagnosis treatment can be particularly important.
Rather than focusing solely on stopping substance use, Westwind Recovery®’s dual diagnosis approach addresses substance use alongside co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment may help clients better understand their triggers, recognize patterns surrounding their use, develop healthier coping strategies, address underlying emotional concerns, and build skills that support long-term recovery.
Outpatient Kratom & 7-OH Treatment in Los Angeles
Westwind Recovery® provides multiple levels of structured outpatient care, allowing appropriate clients to receive treatment while continuing to participate in everyday life.
Depending on an individual’s clinical needs, treatment may include:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP is Westwind’s highest level of outpatient care and provides a highly structured treatment schedule without requiring clients to live at a residential treatment facility.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP provides structured treatment while offering greater flexibility for work, school, family, and other responsibilities.
Outpatient Treatment
Traditional outpatient programming provides continued therapeutic support with greater independence as clients progress in recovery.
Virtual & Hybrid IOP
For appropriate clients, Westwind also offers telehealth and hybrid options that make it possible to participate in structured treatment while maintaining greater flexibility in everyday life.
Do I Need Detox Before Outpatient Treatment?
The appropriate starting point is different for everyone.
Some individuals struggling with kratom or concentrated 7-OH may require medical stabilization or a higher level of care before outpatient treatment is appropriate. Others may be clinically appropriate to begin treatment at an outpatient level.
Westwind Recovery® can help assess your situation and determine whether our outpatient programs are appropriate for your needs. If a different level of care is needed first, that should be addressed before beginning outpatient treatment.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Kratom or 7-OH Takes Over Your Life
A substance doesn’t have to be illegal or difficult to obtain for its use to become a serious problem.
If kratom or 7-OH has become something you need to get through the day, you’re experiencing withdrawal when you stop, or you’ve repeatedly tried to quit without success, it may be time to talk with someone.
Westwind Recovery® provides compassionate outpatient substance use and dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles designed around the needs of each individual.
Contact Westwind Recovery® for a free and confidential assessment and learn whether our outpatient treatment program is right for you.
Medical Reviewer | Dr. Deena Manion, PsyD, LCSW
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
