7-OH products have become increasingly visible online and in smoke shops, gas stations, and other retail settings. They may be sold as tablets, gummies, shots, drink mixes, or other products. Because they can be relatively easy to purchase, most people don’t realize that they are “serious drugs.”

If you’re reading this, you may already know that easy access doesn’t always mean that a substance is risk-free – especially in this case.

7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH, acts on opioid receptors in the brain. The FDA has specifically warned that concentrated 7-OH products can cause addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal. These products are also different from traditional kratom leaf, which naturally contains only trace amounts of 7-OH.

At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, we’ve been paying close attention to the growing use of 7-OH here in Portland and to the questions we’re hearing from people who use it.

One of the most important is also one of the simplest: Can you actually become addicted to 7-OH?

The answer is yes, but addiction isn’t always obvious at first. 

Understanding the difference between tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction is definitely a good place to start, but there’s an even better way to approach this problem.

Learning how to recognize when your relationship with 7-OH is changing into something beyond your control is the most important skill all patients need to learn when they’re deciding if it’s time to get help for 7-OH. 

What Is 7-OH and Why Is It Different From Traditional Kratom?

7-OH and kratom are not interchangeable. 

7-OH is short for 7-hydroxymitragynine. It’s an alkaloid that is associated with the kratom plant (or Mitragyna speciosa, if you’re being scientific about it). 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom leaves, but only in relatively small amounts. Many of the products raising concern today aren’t simply traditional kratom leaf. They contain 7-OH as an added synthetic ingredient and at abnormally high concentrations way beyond what is naturally found in natural kratom.

If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between kratom and 7-OH, we’ve written more about what we’re seeing with 7-OH in Portland.

Why Concentrated 7-OH Products Raise Addiction Concerns

7-OH has high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, part of the same receptor system involved in the effects of traditional opioids.

The FDA’s scientific assessment of 7-OH found evidence of opioid-like pharmacology, rewarding effects, and physical dependence in animal studies. The FDA has also received human reports involving addiction and withdrawal, which match some of the clinical observations the team at Shanti Recovery and Wellness has seen with 7-OH patients at our SE Portland clinic.

There are still important gaps in the human research on 7-OH. It’s a new substance and it will take time for good data about 7-OH dependence to emerge. But what we know about its pharmacology and what we’ve seen with real-life patients gives us some very good clues about why it’s important to take 7-OH dependence seriously.

Can You Get Addicted to 7-OH?

Yes. Repeated use of concentrated 7-OH can lead to physical dependence and may develop into addiction.

Let’s break that sentence down, because it’s a little more complicated than it appears. 

Physical Dependence vs. Addiction

Tolerance means that over time, you may need more of a substance to achieve an effect you previously experienced with a smaller amount.

Physical dependence means your body has adapted to the presence of the substance. When you reduce your dose or stop using it, you may experience withdrawal.

Addiction, or a substance use disorder, involves a broader pattern. It can include difficulty controlling use, cravings, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, and continuing to use despite negative consequences.

Physical dependence alone doesn’t necessarily mean someone has a substance use disorder. But increasing tolerance, withdrawal, cravings, and difficulty controlling use can all be signals that it’s worth taking a closer look.

If this is beginning to sound like something you’re experiencing, it’s important to remember that  7-OH addiction and dependence can be treated.

7 Signs Your 7-OH Use May Be Becoming a Problem

There isn’t one single behavior that tells us whether someone has developed a substance use disorder. Instead, clinicians look at the overall pattern of use and how it’s affecting someone’s life.

Here are some signs worth paying attention to.

1. You’re Taking More 7-OH Than You Intended

Maybe you originally planned to use 7-OH occasionally but now find yourself using it every day. Or perhaps the amount you’re taking has gradually increased.

Changes like these can happen slowly enough that they don’t seem significant until you look back at how your use started.

2. You Need More 7-OH to Get the Same Effect

Increasing the amount you use because your usual dose no longer produces the same effect can be a sign of tolerance.

Tolerance isn’t identical to addiction, but escalating use can increase the risk of physical dependence and other problems.

3. You’re Taking 7-OH More Frequently

Another change we pay attention to is frequency.

Perhaps a dose that once lasted most of the day doesn’t anymore. You may begin taking doses closer together or planning your day around when you’ll be able to use 7-OH again.

4. You Feel Unwell When You Don’t Take It

Withdrawal is one of the clearest indications that physical dependence may have developed.

At Shanti, we’ve observed withdrawal symptoms associated with 7-OH, like restlessness, body aches, fatigue, irritability, and cold sweats.

If you’re taking 7-OH partly because not taking it makes you feel sick, that cycle deserves attention. You can read more about 7-OH withdrawal symptoms and what to expect here.

5. You’re Thinking About 7-OH or Your Next Dose Frequently

Substance use can gradually occupy more mental space.

You might find yourself thinking about whether you have enough 7-OH, when you can take your next dose, where you’ll buy more, or how you’ll avoid withdrawal.

That kind of preoccupation can be an important sign that your relationship with a substance has changed.

6. You’re Continuing to Use Despite Negative Consequences

Maybe 7-OH is affecting your finances, relationships, work, physical health, mental health, or ability to keep up with responsibilities, but you’re continuing to use it anyway.

Continuing to use a substance despite recognizing that it’s creating problems is one of the patterns we always consider when evaluating substance use disorders.

7. You’ve Tried to Cut Back or Stop but Haven’t Been Able To

Wanting to stop and repeatedly finding yourself returning to 7-OH doesn’t mean you lack willpower.

Dependence changes the equation. Withdrawal, cravings, mental health symptoms, stress, and the reasons you started using the substance in the first place can all make stopping more complicated than simply deciding not to take it again.

What Does 7-OH Withdrawal Feel Like?

Withdrawal can happen when someone who has become physically dependent on 7-OH significantly reduces their use or stops.

Reported symptoms have included:

• Restlessness
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Difficulty sleeping

Withdrawal won’t necessarily look the same for everyone. The amount and frequency of 7-OH use, how long someone has been using it, other substances or medications, and individual medical and psychiatric factors can all affect the experience.

The emerging clinical literature has also begun documenting cases of significant opioid-like withdrawal associated with concentrated 7-OH use.

If withdrawal is one of the reasons you keep taking 7-OH, or previous attempts to stop have been difficult, we recommend talking with a healthcare professional rather than assuming you have to manage it alone.

When 7-OH Use Starts as Self-Medication

Not everyone begins using 7-OH because they’re looking to get high.

Some people are trying to feel better.

They may be dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma-related symptoms, physical pain, insomnia, or another difficult experience and discover that 7-OH provides temporary relief.

The FDA has noted that consumers may be tempted to use 7-OH products for conditions including pain, anxiety, mood disorders, and opioid withdrawal. However, there are currently no FDA-approved 7-OH products for treating these conditions.

Why Treating the Underlying Issue Matters

When a substance becomes a primary coping strategy, it can create a negative cycle that’s difficult to break. You may initially use 7-OH because it provides temporary relief from physical or emotional distress. As use becomes more frequent, tolerance or physical dependence can develop. You may then experience withdrawal or renewed distress when you don’t take 7-OH, and that, in turn, makes 7-OH use feel like it’s more and more necessary every day.

At Shanti, we’re not focused on getting patients to stop using 7-OH. We’re focused on what makes patients reach for 7-OH in the first place. 

A patient using 7-OH to manage untreated anxiety may need a different treatment plan than a patient who began using it to manage pain or opioid withdrawal. Patients struggling with depression, trauma, or another psychiatric condition often need to address these issues alongside addiction treatment.

When Should You Consider Getting Help for 7-OH Use?

You don’t need to determine whether you’re “officially addicted” before asking for help.

It may be worth talking with a provider if:

• You’ve tried to reduce or stop your 7-OH use and haven’t been able to.
• You experience withdrawal between doses or when you try to stop.
• You’re steadily increasing the amount or frequency you’re using.
• You experience strong cravings.
• Your day increasingly revolves around obtaining or taking 7-OH.
• You’re continuing to use despite problems with your health, relationships, finances, work, or responsibilities.
• You’re relying heavily on 7-OH to cope with mental health symptoms.
• You’re simply worried about your 7-OH use

A professional assessment isn’t a commitment to a particular treatment program. It’s an opportunity to understand what’s happening and talk through your options with a professional who has walked this path with patients before.

At Shanti, our approach to individualized addiction treatment in Portland looks at substance use in the context of the whole person. We work in collaboration with patients to set treatment goals and develop treatment plans that consider real personal factors like mental health, physical health, environment, family history, as well as existing strengths and supports. 

What Does Treatment for 7-OH Dependence Look Like?

There isn’t one, standardized “7-OH treatment protocol” that’s right for everyone.

That’s why treatment should start with a comprehensive assessment.

At Shanti, our clinicians want to understand factors such as:

• What 7-OH product you’re using
• How much and how often you’re using it
• How long you’ve been using it
• Whether you’re experiencing withdrawal
• Other substance use
• Current medications
• Physical health
• Mental health symptoms and diagnoses
• Previous attempts to stop
• What you’re hoping to achieve through treatment

Those details help determine what level and type of support makes sense.

Managing Withdrawal and Cravings

Because 7-OH acts on opioid receptors and can produce opioid-like physical dependence, some of the clinical tools used to treat opioid dependence may also be considered in certain cases of 7-OH dependence. In some cases, MAT medications like Suboxone or buprenorphine are appropriate choices to help patients achieve and maintain recovery.

Our goal isn’t simply to get patients through a few uncomfortable days of withdrawal. 

Effective treatment begins with an understanding of cravings, mental health, patterns of substance use, and a concrete plan for maintaining recovery in the long-term.

Buprenorphine/Suboxone May Be One Treatment Option

One of the tools our clinicians may consider for some patients is buprenorphine, including buprenorphine/naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Suboxone.

Buprenorphine is a medication used in the treatment of opioid use disorder. Because of 7-OH’s opioid activity, clinicians and researchers have begun reporting the use of buprenorphine/naloxone in patients experiencing significant dependence and withdrawal related to 7-OH.

Not everyone who is having difficulty stopping 7-OH needs to take Suboxone.

For some patients, medication may help manage withdrawal and cravings and provide enough stability to address the behavioral and mental health factors surrounding their substance use. For others, buprenorphine may not be indicated.

Our approach to buprenorphine/Suboxone treatment is not one-size-fits-all.

Research on 7-OH addiction treatment is still emerging. Published clinical case reports have described buprenorphine/naloxone being used to manage 7-OH withdrawal and these reports provide useful information for clinicians, but the evidence base is still developing. As the research into best practices evolves, our clinic will continue to “follow the science” when it comes to 7-OH addiction treatment. 

Treating Mental Health and Addiction Together

Getting patients off 7-OH is only the first step.

When anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic stress, or another psychiatric condition contributes to substance use, leaving that issue untreated leaves an important driver of addiction intact.

A holistic treatment plan incorporates a combination of psychiatric care, medication when appropriate, therapy and behavioral support, withdrawal management, and longer-term recovery planning.

That’s the foundation of our approach to addiction treatment services in Portland: treat the whole person, not individual disorders.

Finding 7-OH Addiction Treatment in Portland, Oregon

If you’re looking for help with 7-OH dependence in Portland, look for a provider who understands both substance use and mental health and who can evaluate your individual circumstances rather than applying the same treatment plan to every patient.

At Shanti Recovery & Wellness, we specialize in addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our clinicians are skilled at evaluating 7-OH use in the context of your psychiatric health, substance use history, withdrawal symptoms, medications, and personal goals.

Most importantly, you don’t have to know exactly what kind of treatment you need before you reach out. That’s why we begin every 7-OH addiction treatment patient’s journey with a thorough clinical assessment before working with you to design a treatment plan just for you.

You Don’t Have to Wait Until 7-OH Use Becomes Severe to Ask for Help

You don’t need to reach a crisis before having a conversation about your 7-OH use.

It’s easy to tell yourself that your substance use isn’t “bad enough” to warrant treatment, especially when the product you’re using was something you could purchase at a corner store.

If you’re needing more than you used to, experiencing withdrawal, thinking about your next dose throughout the day, struggling to cut back, or relying on 7-OH to cope with your mental health, those are meaningful clues that it’s time to talk with a professional.

Asking for an assessment doesn’t predetermine what happens next. At Shanti, our goal is to understand what’s happening, what you want to change, and what combination of support might make the most sense for you.

Concerned about your 7-OH use? Reach out to the team at Shanti and get the support you deserve today.