Century City Psychiatry Addresses Kratom and 7-OH Dependence With Specialized Outpatient Care

Century City Psychiatry, a physician-owned outpatient psychiatry practice in Los Angeles, offers specialized, individualized outpatient treatment for adults who want to stop using kratom, kratom extracts, or concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. Developed under the clinical leadership of founder and board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Mike Mah, the program pairs medical support with care for the anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and other conditions that often accompany kratom use.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Century City Psychiatry, a physician-owned outpatient psychiatry practice in Los Angeles, is responding to a growing public-health concern with specialized outpatient care for kratom and 7-OH dependence. The program, described on the practice's Kratom and 7-OH Dependence page, is designed for adults who use traditional leaf kratom, kratom extracts, or concentrated 7-OH tablets, shots, and extracts and are ready to stop.

Kratom, the leaf of the Southeast Asian tree Mitragyna speciosa, has been sold in the United States for years as a powder, capsule, or tea. More recently, a different category of product containing concentrated 7-OH has appeared in gas stations, smoke shops, and online stores, often marketed as a natural wellness supplement and frequently without clear labeling of its 7-OH content. Although 7-OH occurs only in trace amounts in the natural leaf, it acts on the same brain receptors as prescription opioids, and people who use concentrated products regularly can develop physical dependence and significant withdrawal symptoms. In July 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced its intent to temporarily place 7-OH in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, citing the proliferation of concentrated commercial products. The regulatory landscape around these products continues to evolve.

Many people who develop kratom or 7-OH dependence find themselves caught in a gap in care. Addiction-medicine clinics can feel intimidating, residential programs are impractical for working adults, and many general psychiatric practices do not treat substance use disorders. Patients are often surprised to learn what they were taking, and shame about being unable to stop can keep them from asking for help. Century City Psychiatry's program is built to offer a confidential, outpatient alternative that fits into the lives of people with careers and family responsibilities.

The program was developed under the clinical leadership of Dr. Mike Mah, founder and clinical director of Century City Psychiatry. Dr. Mah is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, earned his medical degree from UC Irvine, and completed his psychiatry residency at UCLA and the West Los Angeles VA. 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.

Each treatment plan is individualized around what a patient is using, how much, and the goals the patient brings to the first visit. Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation of kratom or 7-OH use alongside a full medical and psychiatric history. For patients with moderate to severe dependence, particularly with 7-OH, clinicians may discuss medication support, including buprenorphine, an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder, introduced gradually through a micro-induction approach rather than requiring a patient to be in full withdrawal first. For patients using smaller amounts of leaf kratom, a structured taper supported by non-addictive medications may be appropriate. Because severe dependence cannot always be managed safely in an outpatient setting, some patients may need a higher level of care, such as medically supervised detox or residential treatment, and the practice helps coordinate those referrals when needed. Treatment decisions are always made together with a clinician.

Because many patients began using kratom to manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, chronic pain, or poor sleep, treatment of these underlying conditions is a central part of care. The practice coordinates with Los Angeles therapists who specialize in substance use, and most patients continue follow-up care for several months to a year as stability builds. Treatment records are protected under HIPAA and additional federal rules specific to substance use disorder care. As an insurance-based group practice, Century City Psychiatry accepts many major commercial insurance plans, with specific coverage confirmed at intake.

"Most people who develop kratom dependence are not who you picture when you hear the word 'addiction,'" said Dr. Mah. "They are working adults who started using to manage anxiety, pain, or sleep, and many had no idea how strong some of these products had become. Treating those underlying conditions is easy to miss, and it is central to how we built this program. With the right medical support and a thoughtful, gradual start, withdrawal does not have to be something people white-knuckle alone. Reaching out is often the hardest step, and we want patients and their families to know that individualized, confidential care is available."

Information about kratom and 7-OH treatment is educational and is not medical advice. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911, and anyone in crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

More About Century City Psychiatry

Century City Psychiatry is a physician-owned outpatient psychiatry practice in Los Angeles founded by Dr. Mike Mah, a board-certified psychiatrist who serves as the practice's clinical director. The insurance-based group practice provides psychiatric evaluation, medication management, deprescribing, ongoing psychiatric care, second opinions, and care coordination, with in-person and secure virtual visits available. The practice treats adults with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, insomnia, trauma-related conditions, and substance use and dual-diagnosis concerns, including kratom and 7-OH dependence, with an emphasis on evidence-based, physician-directed care.

Century City Psychiatry is located at 10323 Santa Monica Blvd., #108A, Los Angeles, CA 90025. For more information or to schedule a confidential evaluation, please call (310) 340-0089 or visit www.centurycitypsychiatry.com.

Media Contact

Century City Psychiatry
10323 Santa Monica Blvd., #108A, Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 340-0089
https://www.centurycitypsychiatry.com

SOURCE Century City Psychiatry