Kratom Addiction Treatment Program at Freeman Recovery Center

Tennessee’s 2026 Kratom Ban: What It Means for You

On July 1, 2026, Tennessee’s new law (HB1649, also known as Matthew Davenport’s Law) makes kratom illegal to possess, sell, or distribute statewide. The ban covers every form — powder, capsules, gummies, liquid shots, and 7-OH products — along with kratom’s active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

If you’ve been using kratom daily, the bigger concern isn’t the legal change itself — it’s what happens when your supply runs out. After regular use, your body becomes physically dependent, and stopping suddenly can trigger withdrawal that mirrors opioid withdrawal. The safest move is to talk with a provider before July 1 rather than after a crisis forces the issue. You can read our full breakdown of the law and what to do in our guide to the 2026 Tennessee kratom ban, or call us for a free, confidential assessment.

Kratom Use and Recovery Statistics

• A study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that 36.7% of active kratom users surveyed reported experiencing cravings as a symptom of kratom use disorder, making it one of the most commonly reported DSM-5-based symptoms among the 395 participants studied.

• Although kratom remains legal across much of the U.S., some states, including Tennessee, have enacted laws prohibiting its sale and possession at the local level, as reported by Frontiers in Pharmacology.

• According to Healthline, the kratom ban in Tennessee is limited to synthetic variants and does not extend to the kratom plant itself.

• A Yahoo News report by WKRN found that some Tennessee products sold as kratom were laced with high concentrations of synthetic 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), an additive foreign to the natural kratom plant that has been reported to carry 13 times the potency of morphine.

• A study analyzing 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from more than 56,000 U.S. adolescents and adults found that an estimated 0.7% had used kratom in the past year, according to NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

• A November 2023 WKRN report revealed that kratom was detected in 3.6% of overdose deaths in Davidson County that year.

Common Signs of Kratom Dependency

Recognizing that kratom use has become a dependency isn’t always straightforward. Because kratom is plant-based and legal in many states, it can be easy to dismiss concerns about your use. But addiction doesn’t require a substance to be illegal. Understanding what to look for in your behavior and physical experience is the first step toward getting help for kratom dependency: 

• Increased Tolerance: If you’ve noticed that the amount of kratom you once used no longer produces the same effects, your body may have built a tolerance, pushing you to take larger or more frequent doses to feel the same results.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: When you go without kratom for several hours or attempt to stop, you may experience symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, anxiety, muscle aches, or difficulty sleeping, all signs that your body has become physically dependent.
• Inability to Cut Back: You may have tried to reduce your kratom use or stop altogether, only to find yourself returning to it despite your intentions to quit.
• Continued Use Despite Consequences: If kratom use is affecting your relationships, work performance, or physical health and you continue using it anyway, this pattern may indicate dependency.
• Preoccupation With Use: Spending a great amount of time thinking about kratom, obtaining it, or recovering from its effects can signal that it has taken a central role in your daily life.

Does insurance cover kratom recovery at Freeman Recovery Center?

Coverage for substance use disorder treatment varies depending on your provider and plan, so the best way to find out is to call Freeman Recovery Center directly. We can walk you through the verification process and clarify what behavioral health services your benefits may include.

What should I expect during my first day at the Dickson facility?

Your first day is focused on getting you settled and helping the clinical team understand your needs. We have a welcoming, professional environment where staff will take the time to get to know your situation and begin orienting you toward the next phase of clinical support for kratom addiction.

How is kratom dependency different from opioid use disorder?

While kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors similarly to traditional opioids, the severity and presentation of dependency can differ, which is why we approach kratom-specific cases with a treatment plan built around your individual experience rather than a generalized opioid protocol.

Can I seek treatment for kratom even if I am using other substances?

Yes, and it’s important that you disclose all substances you are using during your intake assessment. Our clinical team will factor polysubstance use into your care plan to ensure your treatment is both safe and effective.

What are the common withdrawal symptoms associated with kratom?

When stopping kratom use, you may experience symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, anxiety, muscle aches, difficulty sleeping, and strong cravings, all of which underscore the value of medically supported care during the cessation process.

How do I begin the enrollment process at Freeman Recovery Center?

Starting is as simple as making a phone call or reaching out online; a team member will then guide you through your next steps, answer questions, and help determine the level of care that best fits your current situation.