kratom abuse facts

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While the majority of people use kratom to ease themselves off opiates, that doesn’t mean it’s the ideal solution. In fact, you can easily become reliant on kratom just like you can with any drug. A kratom addiction can be hard to kick, and kratom withdrawal symptoms are nothing to laugh at.

If you’re struggling to kick kratom, and suffering from kratom withdrawal symptoms, it might be time for a kratom detox. Here’s everything you need to know about withdrawal, detox, and how to get better.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a species of tree found in Southeast Asia. When ingested, the leaves make a person feel like they’re under the influence of weak opiates.

The leaves of the tree are ground into a powder and sold worldwide. Kratom is brewed into tea, smoked, or chewed when in leaf form.

Because kratom is natural and weaker than opiates like heroin, it’s often used by hard-opiate addicts to ween them off of their addiction. The idea is to replace the more harmful opiate with kratom, and slowly lower the dosage over time. By the end of the treatment, the person is not addicted to opiates.

However, this doesn’t always work out. Sometimes, a user only manages to replace their heroin addiction with a kratom addiction. What’s more, a lot of people use kratom recreationally, meaning they might get addicted to kratom without ever having used stronger opiates.

Although natural, kratom addiction is not safe. It comes with withdrawal symptoms, and it may be possible to overdose on. It’s important to kick a kratom addiction as fast as possible.

symptoms of kratom withdrawal

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Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Kratom withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other opiates. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Food cravings
  • Anxiety, depression, stress
  • Sweating and shaking
  • Diarrhea
  • Hot flashes, runny nose
  • Watering eyes, insomnia, and fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Irritation

These symptoms usually show up 12 to 24 hours after stopping kratom use. The more kratom your body is adjusted to, the worse these symptoms tend to be.

kratom withdrawal timeline

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How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?

If you want to kick kratom, it helps to know a rough kratom withdrawal timeline. Research shows that kratom withdrawal symptoms typically last for 3 days.

After the 3 day mark, the symptoms will start to dissipate. You may still feel cravings, so it’s important to rid your home of all kratom before this happens.

Some heavy users may experience withdrawal symptoms for longer, and they can be very intense. This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS.

Sufferers of PAWS typically feel anxious, depressed, and have trouble sleeping. This tends to last for weeks, or even months, and comes in intense waves. PAWS makes weening yourself off kratom very hard, and may mean it’s time to get professional help.

How to Deal With Kratom Withdrawal

Some people are able to kick their kratom addiction on their own. Others will need the help of a professional kratom detox program. Let’s look at the former, first.

There are two basic ways to get off kratom: Go cold turkey, or ween yourself off. To go cold turkey, get rid of all your kratom and simply stop using it. To ween yourself off, use increasingly smaller amounts of kratom every day until you’re at zero.

While weening yourself off may lessen withdrawal symptoms, it probably won’t stop them entirely. In any case, the best first step if you feel withdrawal symptoms is to visit a doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you medicine to help with nausea and anxiety symptoms.

When you feel a craving, try taking a shower. This can give you an energy increase, a mood boost, and relief from aching muscles. You can also try over the counter medications, such as pain relievers, sleep aids, and antidiarrheals.

If you can, try getting some exercise and keeping busy. Not only will this fight withdrawal symptoms, but it’ll keep you from craving kratom. You should also surround yourself with friends and family who won’t let you access kratom.

If all else fails and you can’t get off kratom, it’s time to start a kratom detox program.

symptoms of kratom detox

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Visit a Treatment Center for Kratom Detox

Because of the increasing popularity of kratom, many drug and alcohol detox centers can also help you kick a kratom addiction.

Any detox center that handles general opiate addictions can help you kick kratom. An inpatient detox center gives you a calming, encouraging environment to assist you in your journey to sobriety. You won’t have access to kratom, and if you have cravings detox workers will help you through them.

Some people need the support of a community to help them kick an addiction. A detox center gives them exactly that, while also giving you much-needed relaxation.

If you’re unable to attend an inpatient detox center, many centers also offer outpatient services. This includes group therapy sessions, scheduled doctor visits, and prescription medications. Outpatient treatment is not only more affordable, but it lets you go on about your daily life while finding relief.

There’s no shame in getting the help you need to get off a potentially harmful substance like kratom. The faster you get help, the faster you can stop relying on substances.

It’s Time to Start Your Kratom Detox

Whether you’re a recreational user, or you use kratom to get off opiates, kratom addiction is not something to sweep under the rug. If you’re struggling to get off kratom because of kratom withdrawal, follow the steps above to make your kratom detox easier. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need — you deserve a kratom-free life.

Click here to find a detox center in your area. We’ll help you find the perfect place to begin your kratom detox.

Medically Reviewed: September 25, 2019

Dr Ashley

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

About

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.



Kratom Withdrawal and Detox: Timeline, Symptoms, and Treatment