Kratom Detox: Signs, Risks, Addiction & Detox for Kratom Withdrawal

Understanding Kratom Addiction

What Does Kratom Do?

According to the FDA, kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is an indigenous Southeast Asian plant that, when consumed, has effects similar to opioids and stimulants. 

Mitragynine is the most abundant of two alkaloids, or psychoactive constituents, in the plant. These active compounds bind to the brain’s opioid receptors and influence the body.

It is typically consumed as a tea or powder, and has varying effects on the body. Kratom increases energy, alertness, and heart rate, and has effects that are similar to opioids and sedatives (relaxation, pain relief, and confusion)

How Is Kratom Used?

Traditionally, kratom is used in remedies for treating symptoms of opiate addiction and withdrawal. 

Because of its stimulating effects, it is also popular among laborers in its indigenous region to relieve muscle pain and reduce fatigue. In the United States, however, kratom is used as a recreational drug. 

Is Kratom Addictive?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) considers kratom an addictive substance due to the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal effects upon cessation.

While it has resulted in a small number of deaths compared to other drugs, it still has profound effects on many systems of the body, and its use can result in toxicity and permanent damage.

What Are the Effects of Kratom Use?

Kratom produces opioid- and stimulant-like effects in the body depending on the amount used.

Users report that smaller doses result in a stimulant-like effect, increasing heart rate, energy, and alertness. Larger doses have a sedative- or opioid-like effect, decreasing pain and confusion and increasing relaxation.

Adverse side effects range from mild to severe and include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• High blood pressure
• Slow breathing
• Liver problems

How Does Kratom Addiction Develop?

As with many other types of substance use disorder, kratom addiction develops when regular use alters the brain’s chemistry, causing physical dependence and high tolerance. 

The brain adapts to the constant presence of kratom, becoming less sensitive to the chemical, resulting in the need for larger or more frequent doses to feel the original effects. Kratom dependence can develop within only a few days to a couple of weeks of consistent use.

Signs & Symptoms of Kratom Addiction

What Are the Physical Symptoms of Kratom Addiction?

Experiencing withdrawal when trying to stop or missing a dose of kratom is the easiest way to know if you are experiencing physical addiction. 

Other symptoms include:

• Inability to experience pain
• Increased energy when kratom is taken in smaller doses
• Nausea and vomiting
• Breathing problems
• Changes to the color of one’s skin
• Constipation
• Sleep disturbances or restlessness
• Increased tolerance
• Heavy perspiration
• Sedation or sleepiness
• Shakiness or tremors
• Weight changes

What Are Behavioral Symptoms of Kratom Addiction?

The behavioral signs of kratom addiction align with the signs of most other substance abuse disorders:

• Spending a lot of time trying to get, use, and recover from the use of kratom
• Being unable to quit, despite desire
• Using kratom despite knowing that it has caused problems within one’s life
• Failing to uphold personal responsibilities
• Prioritizing kratom use over once enjoyable activities
• Increased use over a longer period of time than intended
• Using despite known danger
• Wanting to stop abusing kratom, but being unable to do so

However, they also include being overly talkative, erratic behavior, violent or aggressive behavior, and tearfulness.

Can Kratom Cause Depression?

Kratom can cause or worsen depression through the disruption of brain chemistry from regular or long-term use. 

More specifically, kratom disrupts dopamine and serotonin pathways, leading to mood swings, emotional flatness, and deep depressive episodes. These symptoms can occur during use or withdrawal, and may persist into recovery.

How Can Kratom Use Affect Daily Life?

Daily life can be impacted by kratom use in several different ways. 

Regular users may begin to experience cravings. Continued use can result in lowered libido, hallucinations, and delusions. Despite its popularity in heightening focus and your sense of alertness, consuming large amounts of kratom can result in difficulty concentrating, poor decision-making, and even panic.

Dependence also influences behavior, potentially shifting priorities. Some users find themselves thinking about or seeking out their next dose instead of completing work or household tasks. Relationships, nutrition, and general wellness take a backseat when it comes to addiction. 

Kratom Withdrawal Signs & Symptoms

Can You Withdraw From Kratom?

When a person stops taking kratom, the brain reacts to the missing chemical, triggering withdrawal symptoms that include muscle aches, anxiety, irritability, as well as flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, diarrhea, and nausea. 

Withdrawal symptoms usually begin 6 to 12 hours after the last use and are very similar to those of opioid withdrawal.

What Is Kratom Withdrawal Like?

Agitation, restlessness, and anxiousness mark the process of kratom withdrawal. 

As the brain works to repair the damage, you are likely to experience:

• Anxiousness
• Depressed mood
• Emotional detachment from others
• Emotional outbursts
• Irritability
• Oscillating moods

What Are the Worst Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms?

Kratom withdrawal comes with a host of unpleasant symptoms that range in severity.

The worst of these are hypertension, increased heart rate, vomiting, seizures, and coma. It is highly recommended that you speak with your medical professional and receive clinical assessment before kratom cessation. Proper medical supervision can reduce symptoms and severity.

With that said, the most difficult withdrawal symptoms–those which most often lead to relapse–are psychological. Anxiety, insomnia, and cravings make kratom hard to shake, but help is available.

How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?

The kratom withdrawal timeline is 4 to 7 days for complete kratom detox.

Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 6 to 12 hours of last use, and peak around days 2 to 4. While physical symptoms often resolve after 7 days, some psychological effects, such as low motivation or depression, can persist for weeks. 

Why Do Some People Experience Severe Withdrawal Symptoms?

The severity of kratom withdrawal symptoms depends on the length and amount of kratom use. 

Individuals who have a history of consuming larger amounts of kratom or for longer periods of time are more likely to experience a more difficult or prolonged withdrawal. Fortunately, facilities like Diamond Detox offer 24/7 medical supervision with medication-assisted treatment to lessen the discomfort and risks associated with clinical stabilization.

Risks of Kratom Withdrawal

What Are the Risks of Kratom Withdrawal?

Because kratom withdrawal can come with muscle aches, dehydration, chills, and more severe risks such as seizure or coma, it is safest to begin your addiction recovery with medical detox. 

Can Withdrawal Symptoms Cause Cravings?

When quitting any substance, dopamine and other neurotransmitters are disrupted, prompting the brain to seek balance. 

Cravings result during withdrawal as the brain sends signals to repeat the use of the substance on which it has become dependent. This eases over time as the brain recovers.

When Is Kratom Withdrawal Dangerous?

If you experience polysubstance use, co-occurring mental health conditions, have underlying medical issues, or have been using kratom heavily or for an extended period of time, you are likely to have a greater risk associated with kratom withdrawal.

When Should Someone Seek Emergency Care?

If you have trouble breathing, extreme drowsiness, uncontrollable shaking, sudden muscle stiffness, severe shifts in your mental state, or chest pain, you should seek emergency care.

Detox for Kratom

What Is Kratom Detox?

Kratom detox is the process of allowing your body to clear itself of kratom while managing the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that occur due to cessation. 

By clearing toxins, detox provides the mental clarity and emotional stability necessary to then engage in psychological treatment such as therapy, counseling, and behavioral interventions during which the root causes of addiction are uncovered and addressed. 

This transition from physical detox to psychological healing significantly increases the likelihood of lasting sobriety, as patients can actively participate in rehabilitation rather than experiencing the barrier of withdrawal distress. 

How Do You Safely Detox From Kratom?

Heavy or long-term users benefit from professional care during kratom detox. 

At Diamond Detox, our clinical team monitors your vital signs and prescribes medications to ease your pain and cravings. Round-the-clock supervision allows safe, effective intervention as symptoms escalate or when there is a physical risk. 

Your kratom detox is managed through tapering, which is a planned decrease of the substance in your body over hours or days to allow time for your system to acclimate. 

How Long Is Detox for Kratom?

Kratom detox generally lasts 4 to 7 days, depending on the length and severity of use.

You can complete it through inpatient or outpatient care. Your healthcare professional will help you determine the appropriate level of care for a safe detox.

How Do You Stop Using Kratom?

To stop using kratom, you may need to ask friends and family for help.

Your healthcare provider can provide medical assessments and referrals for detox. The process will be uncomfortable, but it will have a profound impact on your health, wellness, and quality of life.

Once you detox, you will continue treatment, possibly through a residential or intensive outpatient program. Your care team will determine your unique treatment needs.

What Happens During Kratom Detox?

The typical withdrawal timeline has four stages:

• Hours 12 to 24: During these hours, early withdrawal symptoms and muscle discomfort begin.
• Days 1 to 3: As your body begins to shift into withdrawal fully, acute symptoms peak. These include intense cravings, severe body aches, and stomach issues.
• Days 4 to 7: Eventually, severe physical pain and other acute symptoms begin to fade, though anxiety and trouble sleeping often continue.
• Two weeks and beyond: At this point, most physical signs resolve, but mental fatigue or mood swings can linger.

How Do You Find a Kratom Detox Program?

Diamond Detox in Kaysville, Utah, provides kratom detox. 

Contact our admissions team to learn more about our programming. We provide a full continuum of care, including referrals to other facilities if ours is not the best fit.

Medications For Kratom Withdrawal

Are Medications Used During Kratom Detox?

While there are no FDA-approved medications to assist with kratom detox, buprenorphine is commonly used to ease intense cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms. 

Other symptom-specific medications may also be used, including clonidine, which manages rapid heart rate, sweating, anxiety, and agitation. Unlike with opioid detox, benzodiazepines are not a standard or primary treatment for kratom detox, though a doctor might occasionally prescribe them short-term to manage severe anxiety or insomnia.

How Is Medication Managed During Detox?

Medical professionals prescribe medications as needed during detox. 

Depending on the prescription, your clinical staff may dispense it as a pill or administer it via IV. Diamond Detox utilizes IV medication and nutrition during the detox process.

Why Is Medical Supervision Important During Detox?

Attempting to detox outside medical supervision can lead to relapse or overdose. 

Clinical oversight of the detox process leads to better recovery outcomes and reduced risk of relapse. 

Finding Support After Kratom Detox

What Happens After Kratom Detox?

When you complete kratom detox at Diamond Detox, you will be referred for continued treatment at the appropriate level of care. 

With this foundation for the recovery process established, patients can then engage in the psychological and behavioral therapies required for long-term recovery.

From the moment of admission, our team will be planning your aftercare. This includes a case manager who will work to find you the best option for continued care based on your unique needs. These may include residential/inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programming (PHP), intensive outpatient programming (IOP), or ongoing outpatient care. Continued care beyond detox supports well-being by reducing the risk of relapse.

How Can Someone Prevent Kratom Relapse?

Peer support offers community and accountability, helping prevent relapse. 

Joining a support group and continuing individual therapy can increase your long-term wellness outcomes.

How Can Families Support Recovery After Detox?

Families can support their loved ones’ recovery by seeking care for themselves and learning to set safe boundaries at home.

Through education, family members will grow their understanding of addiction. With therapeutic intervention, they will be able to identify ways to prevent enabling ongoing addictive behaviors as well as repair relational damage.