Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herbal substance that can produce mind-altering effects when consumed. The effects it causes depend on the dose and strain you use. For example, low doses of kratom might cause stimulant effects, while higher doses cause side effects similar to opioids.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “While kratom or its related compounds have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for any medical use, people report using kratom products to alleviate drug withdrawal symptoms and cravings (particularly for opioids), to alleviate pain and to help manage mental health problems.”[1]
If you have used kratom, you probably know that some people use it to replace opioids while overcoming an opioid addiction. Others might use kratom to get high. No matter how you are using kratom, it is possible to develop an addiction.
When you are addicted to kratom, suddenly stopping its use will result in withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues. Unfortunately, kratom withdrawal can last anywhere from 12 hours to 2 weeks. For these reasons, you should always seek help from a medical detox center.
In this article, you will learn:
- What the symptoms of kratom withdrawal are
- How long kratom withdrawal lasts
- What to expect during each phase of the withdrawal timeline
- Where to find help
What are the Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal?
Kratom addiction can lead to mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance. Oftentimes, these symptoms become too much to bear, increasing your risk of relapse. As a result, you should always seek assistance from a detox program that offers medications to manage withdrawal symptoms.
The common symptoms of kratom withdrawal include:[2]
- Anxiety and irritability
- Severe depression
- An inability to experience pleasure
- High blood pressure
- Excessive yawning
- Runny nose and teary eyes
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Muscle and joint pain
- Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Cravings for kratom
While kratom withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, symptoms like depression can become so severe that you experience suicidal thoughts. Attempting to detox from kratom at home is incredibly dangerous. Instead, seek help from medical professionals within a licensed detox center.
The Kratom Withdrawal Timeline
In some cases, kratom withdrawal causes similar symptoms to opioid withdrawal. In other words, your symptoms might be difficult to manage. Being aware of the kratom withdrawal timeline might help you understand the importance of attending medical detox.
12 to 24 Hours
Sometime between 12 to 24 hours after your last dose of kratom, you will begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The severity of your symptoms will depend on your level of kratom dependency. That said, most people experience mild symptoms during the early stages of withdrawal.
Your first withdrawal symptoms might include anxiety, cravings for kratom, and some general discomfort. The cravings you experience could be difficult to ignore, making it important that you have support from a trained mental health professional.
2 to 3 Days
Between the 2nd and 3rd day of kratom withdrawal, your symptoms will peak. In other words, withdrawal will be at its most severe. You must be receiving medical care in a detox facility at this time.
You might experience the following symptoms during peak kratom withdrawal:[3]
- Psychological symptoms like depression and suicidal thoughts
- Body pain
- Cravings to abuse kratom
- Hallucinations
- Excessive shaking
- Coordination issues
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
Kratom detox centers will provide you with symptom-specific medications to ensure you remain comfortable and stable throughout the entire process. This could include sleeping pills to alleviate insomnia, anti-nausea pills to prevent vomiting, and even IV fluids to combat dehydration.
4 to 7 Days
Sometime between 4 to 7 days, your physical symptoms will begin to subside. Usually, mental health symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and depression continue to linger during this time. Thankfully, detox centers will be helping you control these symptoms with FDA-approved medications.
2 Weeks and More
By two weeks after your last dose of kratom, your symptoms should stop affecting you. The only effects you should notice are mild psychological symptoms and cravings to use kratom. You will have to work with your therapist to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with these lasting effects of kratom until they completely subside.
How Does Detox Treat Kratom Withdrawal?
If you or a loved one suffers from kratom addiction, you should always seek help from a medical detox center. These programs will offer you the tools, support, and medical treatments necessary to successfully overcome withdrawal.
During detox, you will be medically monitored to ensure you remain stable. This might include checking your vital signs consistently to catch any abnormalities in blood pressure, body temperature, and more.
In addition, you will be given medications to manage the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing. For example, you might be given anti-depressants, sleeping aids, pain relievers, or anti-nausea medications.
Lastly, you will have access to 24/7 support from a mental health professional. Whether you need to talk out a symptom you are dealing with or engage in an official individual therapy session, you will get the care you need.
Find Help for Kratom Abuse and Addiction
The first step in kratom addiction treatment is medical detox. Kratom users should seek assistance from a licensed and reputable detox program in their area. If you are looking for kratom detox, you’ve come to the right place.
Detox centers treat kratom withdrawal with a combination of evidence-based practices and compassionate care. During your stay in detox, you will feel supported, heard, and understood. Any type of support you need during the withdrawal phase of recovery will be available to you.
PAX Memphis can connect you with a reputable detox center that helps you begin your journey of long-term recovery from kratom addiction. Contact us today to get connected with a kratom detox center and receive more information on how to get started.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Kratom
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): A Case of Severe Kratom Addiction Contributing to a Suicide Attempt
- National Institutes of Health: Kratom withdrawal: Discussions and conclusions of a scientific expert forum