Author: John Carter

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

Kratom.org does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You might also find that activities like meditation, acupuncture, or yoga are useful in managing your symptoms. Since everyone’s experience is different, it’s important to find what works for you and stick with it.

If this isn’t possible, avoid doing extraneous activities during this time, and try to avoid adding anything extra to your schedule. Kratom withdrawal symptoms can be different for every user in intensity and duration. Generally speaking, most kratom withdrawal symptoms are only expected to last for three to four days. The difficulty you’ll have quitting kratom also depends on how you stop using the substance. Some unpleasant side effects can be expected for those who go from their usual daily dose to none at all, much like quitting caffeine.

Physical Addiction

It’s also a good idea to limit your intake to just five days a week. Something as simple as avoiding kratom intake two days a week can help you prevent addiction, which could mean you never have to deal with kratom withdrawal symptoms in the first place. To make a tapering schedule for reducing kratom, you should slowly cut back on how much you take to help avoid withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to remember that what works for one person mightn’t work for another, so getting advice from a doctor can be really helpful. If your kratom withdrawal symptoms become severe or if you have tried and failed to taper off kratom, you should consider medically-assisted detox.

One key step is to ask for help from a healthcare professional who can suggest medicines to help with withdrawal. It’s also helpful to have people around you who understand what you’re going through, like in therapy groups or friends and family, to give you the motivation to keep going. If you or someone you know is struggling with kratom dependence, don’t hesitate to reach out for help and support. There are resources available to assist you on your journey to recovery.

How to Taper Off of Kratom

  1. If you or someone you love is trying to quit using kratom, they may fear the withdrawal symptoms that can come from quitting cold turkey.
  2. The second phase goes from day 2 to day 4, and you’ll experience the symptoms at their peak before subsiding.
  3. Many users turn to kratom instead of painkillers and opioids to avoid or mitigate the risk of addiction.
  4. The capsules are simple gelatin shells that contain a dose of powdered kratom determined by the manufacturer.

Generally, it lasts a week, but it can change depending on the person’s health, the severity of the addiction, and more. Based on user reports, we have identified three distinct phases of withdrawal, which we’ll summarize here. We’ll talk about kratom dependence, the withdrawal period, its symptoms, and — perhaps most importantly — how to overcome them effectively and with minimal discomfort.

Let’s talk about your recovery

Weaning off of any habit-forming or addictive substance — like kratom or caffeine — can be challenging, and it will take time for most people. Within a month or two, you should be kratom-free and symptom-free. Once you’ve lasted an entire week at each new dosage without symptoms, knock down your daily dosage again and let your body adjust. By the time you get to 0.5 grams a day for a week without severe withdrawal symptoms, you should be ready to quit altogether. Regardless, one recommendation from people who have overcome kratom is to slowly decrease the kratom dose by 0.5 grams every one to two days.

There’s a lot to learn about kratom, and not all of the information out there is correct. Always use as little kratom as possible — both in dosage and frequency. Regardless of how hard it is, you might find there are times when you could use a little something extra to get through. In fact, most people go about their daily lives — albeit a little more uncomfortably. Even if you find yourself in the minority and really struggle, know that help is available and that this, too, shall pass. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.

If other substances are also being abused, medications may need to be altered to avoid complications or undesirable drug interactions. Since kratom is not a controlled substance, it is often not included in regular toxicology screenings that may be performed upon entrance into a detox program. With many types of psychoactive and addictive substances, dosages can be lowered slowly over a period of time in order to minimize withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

The Facts About Kratom Withdrawal: What to Expect & How to Deal With It

You may also consider reducing the kratom dose by a smaller amount, like 0.3 grams. As I mentioned earlier, research isn’t consistent on what leads to addiction. Some people chronically use heavy doses and never feel withdrawal symptoms when they stop. When quitting kratom, it’s a good idea to schedule some time off work for the first four days (at least).

Remember, the path isn’t always clear, but with a map of goals and the compass of commitment. Lean on the support around you, and trust that each day brings you closer to the serene valley of recovery. By tapering off kratom instead of abruptly stopping use, you may be able to avoid many of these withdrawal symptoms.

Kratom provides many different effects, depending on the dosage and the strain. While there’s little clinical data to back these benefits, anecdotal reports from users conclude that there’s a high chance they may be true. Some of the side effects of kratom withdrawal can include diarrhea and vomiting. These can quickly dehydrate you, so keep your hydration and electrolytes up by drinking plenty of water. The second phase goes from day 2 to day 4, and you’ll experience the symptoms at their peak before subsiding.

Start by assessing your current intake and setting realistic goals for reduction. Kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in recent years for its purported medicinal properties and recreational use. However, with increased usage comes the potential for dependence and kratom withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued. Kratom is unique because it has contradictory effects, giving it many uses — it’s energizing and sedating, but the overall effects depend on how much you take. Higher doses are used for sleep, pain, opioid addiction, and anxiety.