Kratom and concentrated kratom derivatives such as 7-hydroxymitragynine — known as 7-OH — have created a fast-growing dependence problem that very few practices are prepared to treat. People who want to stop often find themselves caught in a gap: addiction-medicine clinics can feel intimidating, residential programs are impractical for working adults, and many general psychiatrists do not treat substance use disorders at all. Century City Psychiatry was built to close that gap with specialized, evidence-based outpatient care for people who use kratom, kratom extracts, or 7-OH products and are ready to stop.
This treatment program was developed under the clinical leadership of Dr. Mike Mah, the board-certified psychiatrist who founded Century City Psychiatry. Dr. Mah earned his medical degree from UC Irvine and completed his residency training at UCLA and the West Los Angeles VA, and he brings nearly a decade of experience caring for patients across Los Angeles. As founder and clinical director, he designs the practice’s treatment protocols and supervises a team of psychiatric nurse practitioners and prescribing clinicians who provide day-to-day patient care. The result is a program that reflects current addiction-psychiatry standards while staying accessible, discreet, and personal.
“Most people who develop kratom dependence are not who you picture when you hear the word ‘addiction.’ They are working adults who started using to manage anxiety, pain, or sleep — and treating those underlying conditions is the part most programs miss.” — Dr. Mike Mah
Dr. Mah has changed my life and I am so grateful for him. I am writing this so others can hopefully find the same results.
Understanding Kratom and 7-OH
Knowing what a person is actually using matters, because treatment for traditional leaf kratom looks very different from treatment for concentrated 7-OH products.
Traditional kratom is the dried, ground leaf of a Southeast Asian tree (Mitragyna speciosa), usually sold as powder, capsules, or tea. Its main active compound, mitragynine, behaves as a partial opioid: stimulating at low doses and more sedating and pain-relieving at higher ones. Used heavily and daily, leaf kratom produces real physical dependence, though it is generally milder than dependence on prescription opioids.
Over the past few years, a different category of product has appeared in gas stations, smoke shops, and online stores. These contain concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine — 7-OH — and are sold under names such as Dozo Perks, 7Tabz, Hydroxie, Pacha, and OPMS. Although 7-OH occurs only in trace amounts in the natural leaf, research indicates it is roughly 13 times more potent than morphine at the brain’s opioid receptors. People who use these products regularly can develop true opioid dependence comparable to dependence on prescription painkillers, and withdrawal tends to be more severe. Many patients are surprised to learn what they were taking, because the products are marketed as natural wellness supplements and often do not list their 7-OH content. The regulatory landscape around these products continues to evolve.
If you are using a tablet, shot, or extract and cannot stop without feeling sick, that is a sign of physical dependence — a treatable medical condition, not a lack of willpower.
Common Reasons Patients Reach Out
People come to us at very different points in their kratom or 7-OH use. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Unable to Stop: Repeated attempts to quit on their own have not worked, despite a real desire to stop.
- Escalating Use: Doses have climbed over time, or use has shifted from leaf kratom to stronger 7-OH products.
- Difficult Withdrawal: Stopping brings on symptoms severe enough to drive a return to use within hours.
- Shame and Secrecy: Use has become something they hide from partners, family, or coworkers.
- A Worried Family Member: A spouse, parent, or adult child is searching for help on someone’s behalf.
- An Underlying Condition: Use began as a way to manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, chronic pain, or poor sleep that was never fully addressed.
What to Expect From Treatment
Every plan is individualized around what a patient is using, how much, and the goals they bring to their first visit. Most treatment includes the following elements:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: A thorough assessment of kratom or 7-OH use alongside a full medical and psychiatric history to shape the right plan.
- Medication Support: For moderate to severe dependence, especially with 7-OH, buprenorphine (often known as Suboxone) can ease withdrawal and reduce cravings so patients can stop using without enduring a harsh withdrawal period.
- A Gentler Start: Our clinicians use a micro-induction approach, the current standard at academic addiction-medicine centers, which introduces buprenorphine gradually rather than requiring a patient to be in full withdrawal first.
- Care for Underlying Conditions: Treating the anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep difficulties, or pain that often drive kratom use is central to lasting recovery — and something a psychiatric practice is uniquely positioned to do.
- Coordinated Therapy: We partner with experienced Los Angeles therapists who specialize in substance use and coordinate care closely throughout treatment.
- Ongoing Follow-Up: Recovery is a process rather than a single appointment, and most patients continue care for several months to a year as their stability builds.
For patients using smaller amounts of leaf kratom, a structured taper supported by non-addictive medications is sometimes enough, and that decision is always made together with a clinician.
“With the right medical support, withdrawal does not have to be something you white-knuckle alone. A thoughtful, gradual start changes the entire experience for most patients.” — Dr. Mike Mah
Frequently Asked Questions About Kratom and 7-OH Dependence
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The clearest sign is that stopping makes you feel physically unwell — anxious, achy, sweaty, or nauseated — and using again relieves it. Needing the substance to feel normal, rather than to feel better, points to physical dependence.
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Leaf kratom is the dried plant, and its main compound is a relatively mild partial opioid. 7-OH products are concentrated and far more potent, behaving much more like a strong opioid, which is why dependence and withdrawal tend to be more serious.
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Some people taper successfully on their own, but many cannot, particularly with 7-OH, because withdrawal arrives quickly and intensely. Difficulty stopping reflects physiology, not weakness, and medical support makes the process far more manageable.
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Acute symptoms usually begin within hours to a day after the last dose, peak over the first two to three days, and ease over the following week. Milder lingering effects such as low mood, poor sleep, and fatigue can persist for weeks as the brain returns to baseline.
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Yes. Treatment records are protected under HIPAA and additional federal rules specific to substance use disorder care, and we do not share information about your treatment without your written consent.
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No. Taken as prescribed, buprenorphine treats a medical condition without producing a high at therapeutic doses, much as an antidepressant treats depression. It allows people to function normally rather than organizing their lives around the next dose.
Why Choose Century City Psychiatry
- Psychiatrist-Led Care: Treatment is designed and supervised by a board-certified psychiatrist who built this protocol specifically for kratom and 7-OH dependence.
- Specialized Focus: We understand the real differences between leaf kratom and concentrated 7-OH products and tailor treatment to each.
- Evidence-Based Methods: Our approach reflects current addiction-psychiatry standards, including buprenorphine micro-induction where appropriate.
- Discreet and Outpatient: Care fits into the lives of working adults, with no residential stay or methadone clinic required.
- Insurance-Friendly Access: We accept many major commercial insurance plans, with specific coverage confirmed at intake.
- A Non-Judgmental Approach: Patients are treated as people with a real, manageable condition, never reduced to a label.
Compassionate, Personalized Psychiatric Care in Century City
At Century City Psychiatry, we are committed to enhancing mental health through innovative and comprehensive psychiatric services. Our practice is designed to support individuals in the West Los Angeles area, particularly in Century City, offering both in-person and telehealth options for those seeking quality care for various mental health conditions. The services provided reflect our deep understanding of the complexities of mental health, ensuring that we cater to the individual needs of each patient.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Reaching out is often the hardest part, and it does not commit you to anything. If you are using kratom or 7-OH in Los Angeles and cannot seem to stop, the team at Century City Psychiatry will listen, answer your questions, and explain what treatment could look like for your situation — without judgment and without pressure. Call (310) 340-0089 to schedule a confidential evaluation and learn how specialized, evidence-based care can help you move forward.
This page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Treatment decisions are made together with a qualified physician based on your individual situation. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
