Kratom in Georgia: What to Know About Growing Risks, 7-OH and Addiction

Kratom products have become increasingly common across Georgia. Powders, capsules, gummies, tablets and concentrated liquid shots are sold in convenience stores, smoke shops and other retailers, often alongside everyday consumer products.

Because these products are widely available, many people assume they are harmless. However, healthcare providers and public health officials are raising concerns about dependence, withdrawal, mislabeled products and highly concentrated forms of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

Why Georgia Is Different

Georgia is one of the few states in the Southeast where kratom remains legal for adults 21 and older. Neighboring states such as Alabama and Tennessee have banned kratom, making Georgia a destination for consumers seeking these products.

While Georgia law regulates how kratom products are sold, healthcare professionals caution that legal availability should not be mistaken for safety. Today’s marketplace includes products that vary widely in potency, particularly highly concentrated 7-OH products that can produce much stronger opioid-like effects than traditional kratom leaf.

As these products have become more widely available, Georgia has experienced a noticeable increase in poison center calls, emergency department visits and other health incidents related to kratom use.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. The plant contains naturally occurring compounds that interact with opioid receptors in the brain and can produce stimulant-like effects at lower doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses.

Some people use kratom to increase energy, manage pain or attempt to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom to treat any medical condition and continues to warn consumers about the potential for addiction, dependence and other serious health risks.

Why Is Kratom Getting More Attention in Georgia?

While kratom itself is not new, the products being sold today have changed dramatically.

Recent investigations into Georgia’s kratom market found that many products now contain concentrated or synthetically enhanced forms of 7-OH, making them significantly more potent than traditional kratom leaf products. Investigators have also identified concerns about inaccurate labeling, making it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are purchasing.

Healthcare providers throughout Georgia say these newer products are contributing to a growing number of poison center calls, emergency department visits and serious medical incidents across the state.

Kratom-Related Health Incidents Are Rising in Georgia

Recent reports from across Georgia highlight why healthcare professionals are paying closer attention to kratom and concentrated 7-OH products.

• The Georgia Poison Center reported a 66% increase in kratom exposure cases between 2022 and 2025, with more than 540 reported exposures since 2021.
• Exposure cases involving children five years old and younger increased by 400% between 2024 and 2025. Many incidents involved gummies, flavored liquids and other products that can easily appeal to children.
• Approximately 76% of reported kratom exposures in Georgia required evaluation or treatment at a healthcare facility.
• Emergency departments across the state have treated patients experiencing seizures, respiratory depression and overdose symptoms associated with concentrated 7-OH products.
• Several middle school students in North Georgia were hospitalized after consuming kratom gummies that investigators later determined contained highly concentrated synthetic compounds.
• Georgia has also reported fatal overdoses in which kratom toxicity was identified as a contributing factor, further raising concerns among healthcare providers and public health officials.

Together, these incidents illustrate how today’s highly concentrated kratom products can present significantly greater risks than many consumers realize.

What Is 7-OH?

One of the biggest concerns involves 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH.

While this compound occurs naturally in kratom leaves in very small amounts, many products now sold in convenience stores contain concentrated or semi-synthetic versions that are significantly more potent.

These products are often marketed as tablets, gummies, liquid shots or drink additives and may produce much stronger opioid-like effects than natural kratom.

Healthcare providers are increasingly warning consumers that these products carry a much greater risk of dependence, overdose and withdrawal.

Can You Become Addicted to Kratom?

Yes. Regular kratom use can lead to physical dependence and, for some individuals, substance use disorder.

The risk may increase when people:

• Use kratom daily
• Take increasingly larger amounts
• Use highly concentrated liquid shots or tablets
• Combine kratom with alcohol or other drugs
• Use kratom to self-treat anxiety, depression or opioid withdrawal

Over time, some individuals find they need more kratom to achieve the same effect, making it increasingly difficult to stop using without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Signs of Kratom Dependence

You may want to seek professional help if you:

• Feel unable to stop using kratom
• Experience cravings between doses
• Need larger amounts than you once did
• Continue using despite negative consequences
• Spend increasing amounts of money on kratom products
• Use kratom simply to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Like many other substances, dependence often develops gradually.

What Does Kratom Withdrawal Feel Like?

Individuals who stop using kratom after regular use may experience withdrawal symptoms that include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Muscle aches
• Sweating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort
• Strong cravings

Withdrawal severity varies depending on how long someone has used kratom, how much they were taking and whether concentrated 7-OH products were involved.

Why Some People Begin Using Kratom

Many people don’t begin using kratom recreationally.

Some first try it because they are:

• Looking for pain relief
• Trying to stop using opioids
• Managing anxiety
• Looking for more energy
• Believing it’s a “natural” alternative to other substances

Unfortunately, some individuals later discover they have developed a dependence on kratom itself.

When Should You Seek Treatment?

Consider reaching out for help if:

• You’ve tried to stop but can’t.
• You experience withdrawal when you don’t use kratom.
• Your use continues to increase.
• Kratom is affecting your work, finances or relationships.
• You’re using concentrated 7-OH products regularly.
• You’re combining kratom with alcohol or other substances.

Seeking treatment early can often prevent more serious health and addiction concerns.

Treatment for Kratom Addiction at Black Bear Lodge

At Black Bear Lodge, we understand that addiction doesn’t always begin with an illicit substance. Sometimes dependence develops after using products that are marketed as natural or readily available over the counter.

Our team provides evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in the North Georgia mountains. We address substance use alongside underlying conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD through individualized treatment plans designed to support long-term recovery.

Depending on your clinical needs, treatment may include medically supervised detox, residential treatment or our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Your treatment plan may include individual therapy, group therapy, family programming, trauma-informed care, relapse prevention and aftercare planning.

Start Your Path to Recovery

Kratom may be legal in Georgia, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risks. If kratom or another substance has begun affecting your health, relationships, career or quality of life, help is available.

At Black Bear Lodge, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help individuals overcome substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions so they can build a healthier future.

Call 833-685-5200 today to speak with an admissions specialist and learn more about treatment at Black Bear Lodge.