Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

What Are Kratom’s Risks?

Although kratom may have certain desirable effects, it can also cause a number of negative consequences. Some of the unwanted or dangerous short-term effects of kratom use include:^6,7

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Sedation.
• Itching.
• Aggressive behavior.
• Irritability.
• Anxiety.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Seizures.

Kratom can also be dangerous because it is unregulated, which means you can never be fully sure what you are taking. Some kratom samples have tested positive for other opioids, such as hydrocodone or tramadol. Kratom can also be dangerous when taken in combination with other legal and illegal drugs (such as alcohol, sedatives, opioids, stimulants, or cannabinoids), but little research exists to show exactly what those dangers are.^6,9 Research is somewhat limited on long-term effects of kratom use. However, some of the potential long-term effects can include:^6,8

• Weight loss.
• Tremors (shakiness).
• Constipation.
• Dark spots (hyperpigmentation) on the cheeks.
• Liver damage.
• Psychosis (believing things that aren’t true without knowing those beliefs aren’t based in reality).
• Seizures.
• Sleep trouble (insomnia).
• Irregular heartbeat.

Kratom Addiction Potential

Long-term kratom use can lead to dependence, which means that you need the drug to function and avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Continued kratom use can also lead to addiction, which is a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior. If you are addicted to a substance, you continue to use the drug despite the negative consequences.

What Is Kratom Withdrawal?

Kratom withdrawal happens when you are physically dependent on it and suddenly try to stop using or dramatically cut down your use. Many people find the withdrawal symptoms so uncomfortable that hey keep using kratom to prevent or ease these symptoms. One study found that half of regular kratom users developed severe dependence problems, while 45% showed a moderate dependence. The higher the dose used, the more likely the person was to develop a more severe dependence.⁵ Common kratom withdrawal symptoms include:⁵

• Muscle spasms.
• Pain.
• Watery eyes.
• Runny nose.
• Hot flashes.
• Fever.
• Lower appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Restlessness.
• Nervousness.
• Tension.
• Anger.
• Sadness.
• Cravings.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Kratom Withdrawal?

Going through the stages of kratom withdrawal can take some time. Though we still don’t know a lot about kratom addiction and withdrawal, the withdrawal timeline is fairly similar to the withdrawal timeline for other opioids. In general, symptoms:

• May appear 6 to 12 hours after quitting.
• Peak in intensity 72 hours after last dose.
• Slowly get better after around 5 or 7 days.

These stages are not fixed in time, and depend on factors such as:

• Your history of substance use.
• How much and how often you use.
• Personal medical history.
• Age.
• If you use other substances.

How Can I Deal with Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you’re dealing with kratom addiction or withdrawal symptoms, you may find relief and help in addressing your substance use. The first step for many patients is detoxification, or detox for short. Professional medical detox programs help care for acute symptoms of withdrawal, as well as sketch out a course for further recovery efforts. There are two main detox settings:

• Inpatient, where you live at a treatment center full-time. Staff is onsite 24/7 to check your progress and keep you safe.
• Outpatient, where you live at home and go to set appointment times, so you can still work and take care of family if needed.

If you or a loved one are struggling, know that you are not alone. Get started on your recovery right now with our free rehab locator tool, where you can find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, inpatient detox, outpatient detox, and much more.