CANAAN, CT — Beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2026, kratom will officially be removed from store shelves across Connecticut following the state’s decision to classify the substance as a Schedule I drug. For many, the policy marks a decisive step toward regulating a widely available and poorly understood substance.
For many, the policy marks long-overdue oversight of a widely available and poorly regulated product. But for residents who have come to depend on kratom daily, clinicians say the shelf removal may trigger something the policy didn’t anticipate: sudden withdrawal with nowhere to turn.
New clinical data from Mountainside Treatment Center shows that kratom-related admissions have nearly tripled over the past year, reflecting a sharp rise in dependence tied to products often marketed as natural remedies for anxiety, pain, and energy.
“With the ban taking effect, we are deeply concerned about what happens next for the people already using kratom daily,” said Jana Wu, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside and a national expert on kratom dependency treatment. “Many individuals don’t realize they’ve developed a physical dependence until they try to stop,” Wu said. “Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and intense cravings. When access disappears overnight, people may find themselves in crisis without knowing where to turn.
"Kratom products—commonly sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online as powders, capsules, gummies, and concentrated liquid “shots”—have long existed in a regulatory gray area. Connecticut’s classification now places the substance alongside heroin and LSD, effectively banning its sale statewide.
While clinicians acknowledge the intent behind the policy, they warn that sudden supply disruptions can carry unintended consequences.“In some cases, when people lose access to a substance they depend on, they may seek out alternatives—including more dangerous opioids,” Wu said. “That’s why it’s critical that this moment is met with education, outreach, and access to care.”
For many, the policy marks long-overdue oversight of a widely available and poorly regulated product. But for residents who have come to depend on kratom daily, clinicians say the shelf removal may trigger something the policy didn’t anticipate: sudden withdrawal with nowhere to turn.
New clinical data from Mountainside Treatment Center shows that kratom-related admissions have nearly tripled over the past year, reflecting a sharp rise in dependence tied to products often marketed as natural remedies for anxiety, pain, and energy.
“With the ban taking effect, we are deeply concerned about what happens next for the people already using kratom daily,” said Jana Wu, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside and a national expert on kratom dependency treatment. “Many individuals don’t realize they’ve developed a physical dependence until they try to stop,” Wu said. “Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and intense cravings. When access disappears overnight, people may find themselves in crisis without knowing where to turn.
"Kratom products—commonly sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online as powders, capsules, gummies, and concentrated liquid “shots”—have long existed in a regulatory gray area. Connecticut’s classification now places the substance alongside heroin and LSD, effectively banning its sale statewide.
While clinicians acknowledge the intent behind the policy, they warn that sudden supply disruptions can carry unintended consequences.“In some cases, when people lose access to a substance they depend on, they may seek out alternatives—including more dangerous opioids,” Wu said. “That’s why it’s critical that this moment is met with education, outreach, and access to care.”
A Critical Moment for Intervention
Mountainside clinicians emphasize that the days immediately following the ban represent a narrow but important window for intervention.
“This is an opportunity to reach people who may not have previously considered treatment,” Wu said. “But that only works if support is visible, accessible, and stigma-free.”
Since 2023, Mountainside has offered a free, open-to-the-public kratom recovery support group. Participation has grown steadily, with a notable increase among Connecticut residents in recent months. The organization is also expanding community education efforts, working with local groups and families seeking guidance on how to recognize and respond to kratom dependence.
“This is an opportunity to reach people who may not have previously considered treatment,” Wu said. “But that only works if support is visible, accessible, and stigma-free.”
Since 2023, Mountainside has offered a free, open-to-the-public kratom recovery support group. Participation has grown steadily, with a notable increase among Connecticut residents in recent months. The organization is also expanding community education efforts, working with local groups and families seeking guidance on how to recognize and respond to kratom dependence.
What Residents Should Know
Clinicians urge individuals currently using kratom regularly not to attempt abrupt cessation without support.“Stopping suddenly can be physically and emotionally overwhelming,” Wu said.
“You don’t have to navigate that alone. There are safe, medically informed ways to begin recovery.”
“You don’t have to navigate that alone. There are safe, medically informed ways to begin recovery.”
About Mountainside Treatment Center
Mountainside believes that everyone is capable of achieving recovery. Our compassionate, best-in-class staff provides comprehensive treatment with a holistic approach for you and your loved ones—delivered inpatient, outpatient, or virtually. Since our founding in 1998, this approach has positively reshaped the lives of more than 20,000 alumni. We know that people don’t get sober to stop using; they get sober to start living. Mountainside has been nationally recognized as one of the first treatment centers to earn ASAM 3.7, Joint Commission, and CARF accreditations, affirming its leadership in substance use disorder and drug and alcohol treatment. Addiction isn’t a choice. Mountainside is.
We encourage you to learn more about how we do more and care more at mountainside.com.
We encourage you to learn more about how we do more and care more at mountainside.com.