Kratom Withdrawal: Timeline, Symptoms, and When You Need Help

Disclaimer: This article is for education and does not replace medical or mental health advice. Reach out to a licensed clinician before quitting kratom. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you are in crisis, call or text 9-8-8.

If you are considering quitting kratom, you might primarily want to know two things – what the next few days will feel like and a sense of whether you can do it on your own. In this article, we will explain kratom withdrawal, the kratom withdrawal timeline, the kratom withdrawal symptoms, and when it makes sense to reach out.

How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?

For most, kratom withdrawal symptoms begin within 12 to 24 hours of the last dose, tend to be worse in the first three days, and ease over a week or two. Cravings, mood, and sleep patterns take longer to settle down. One review reported these symptoms lasting up to three months among some.

So if you are asking how long does it take to detox from kratom, the physical symptoms ease within a matter of two weeks. But feeling better again may take longer.

What Is Happening to Your Body During Withdrawal From Kratom?

The two most well-known compounds in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), partially activate the same mu-opioid receptors that opioids tend to target. After regular use, your brain adjusts to that activity. When you stop, it takes time to recover, and this time is what you experience as withdrawal from kratom.

Kratom may also interact with receptors tied to dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, which explains why symptoms are not entirely like opioids. Withdrawal can typically range from mild to moderate.

What Are the Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal?

The symptoms or side effects of kratom withdrawal mostly fall into two categories:

Physical kratom detox symptoms can look like this:

• Vomiting, stomach ache, and diarrhea
• Jerky movements
• Runny nose, watery eyes
• Hot flashes and chills
• Fatigue and loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping

Mental and emotional symptoms can look like this:

• Cravings
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Low mood
• Irritability and agitation

Psychological symptoms can last longer than the physical ones. This is why it is often considered best to reach out to licensed mental health specialists who can offer the care you need during these times to prevent a relapse.

Kratom vs. 7-OH Withdrawal: Why the Product Matters

Not every kratom product available is the same thing. Kratom leaf powder contains 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) only in small natural amounts. Concentrated 7-OH products, sold as tablets, shots, gummies, and drink mixes, are a different category. Marty Makary, MD, MPH, FDA commissioner once said that 7-OH binds to mu opioid receptors like opioids do, which scientifically means that it is an opioid.

Some differences between kratom and 7-OH withdrawal are:

• It begins sooner
• It feels closer to opioid withdrawal
• It can impact the mind in ways that can lead to psychosis and delirium-like symptoms, as one case report suggested

If you use 7-OH daily, clinical assessment is required before you stop. Stopping abruptly can become unpleasant and even dangerous, so clinical oversight matters. A clinician will assess your severity of use and suggest the next best step.

What Does Kratom Withdrawal Timeline Look Like?

No official clinical timeline exists, and reports vary a little. But here is what you can typically expect:

• First 12 to 24 Hours: Early signs often show up as cravings, anxiety, restlessness, and discomfort.
• Days 1 to 3: Withdrawal symptoms peak. Vomiting, stomach ache, hot flashes, chills, and diarrhea are common.
• Days 4 to 7: Physical symptoms tend to ease. Anxiety, low mood, and poor sleep can linger.
• 2 Weeks: Symptoms gradually reduce.
• Week 2 and Beyond: Some experience lingering cravings, low mood, and sleep troubles, sometimes called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These can last weeks to months.

What Do We Know About Kratom Addiction?

Kratom addiction is a real concern. The latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) does not have a kratom-specific diagnosis, but in an online survey of 129 Americans who had used kratom regularly at some point, about 30% met criteria for current kratom use disorder, and those who reported withdrawal described the symptoms as moderate, including cravings, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, low energy, and stomach upset.

Signs that use may have become a problem may be:

• Cravings and urges
• Needing more to get the same effect (tolerance)
• Experiencing withdrawal when you skip a dose, and being unable to cut back even though you want to

If that sounds familiar, it can indicate that your brain has gotten used to the presence of kratom. It may be time to reach out to someone who understands in order to gain clarity on where you stand and what the next steps are that you can take in your healing journey.

How to Detox From Kratom?

If you want to know how to detox from kratom safely, there is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication to ease withdrawal symptoms. But here is what you can do.

Speak to Licensed Clinicians

Reaching out to board-certified physicians and psychiatric practitioners who understand how kratom can impact your brain and body can be the first step. They might suggest gradual tapers and whether or not you need medical attention while detoxing.

Take Care of Your Body

Kratom withdrawal can lead to stomach and muscle aches. Heating pads and massages can ease this. If vomiting or diarrhea get severe, you may need medical attention.

Kratom Withdrawal Treatment With Medication

Clinicians sometimes treat specific withdrawal symptoms, and not the withdrawal itself. Clonidine and lofexidine, for instance, may help with nausea, vomiting, tremors, and insomnia. However, they must only be taken under the close supervision of a clinician, as these are off-label uses.

Therapy and Peer Community

Medication can only ease withdrawal symptoms, but it does not target the underlying reasons for kratom use. Behavioral therapies, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, 12-Step facilitation therapies, and peer community, can be useful in treating underlying mental health reasons, building coping skills, and preventing relapse.

Is Medication Useful for Kratom Withdrawal?

Does Suboxone help with kratom withdrawal?

Some evidence shows that suboxone for kratom withdrawal can be useful. A 2023 case report described kratom withdrawal that improved with buprenorphine-naloxone (the combination of Suboxone), and another review called it a promising option. The evidence is still mostly case reports.

However, we need more evidence to point in one way or the other.

Does Clonidine for kratom withdrawal help?

The evidence for clonidine for kratom withdrawal is even less. One case report described a woman whose severe withdrawal was managed with clonidine and hydroxyzine. However, Clonidine can lower blood pressure, so it is not something to start on your own without medical supervision.

When to Reach Out for Kratom Withdrawal

Most kratom withdrawal is uncomfortable rather than dangerous. Some circumstances can require you to reach out for medical attention immediately:

• You use concentrated 7-OH products daily, as 7-OH withdrawal can begin faster and lead to opioid-like withdrawal symptoms
• You use other substances too, such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines
• You are experiencing severe dehydration
• You have a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, trauma, or post-traumatic stress disorder
• You have tried to quit before and relapsed
• You feel confused, see or hear things that are not there, or have seizures. Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately
• If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call or text 9-8-8 right away

Some recover best with medically supervised detox first, especially with heavier use or polysubstance use. After this, you can move to structured outpatient treatment for therapy, relapse prevention, and aftercare.

At Skyline Recovery Center in Los Angeles, we offer structured outpatient programs like partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. Our PHPs run for 6 to 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, while our IOPs run for 3 to 5 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week, with evening and virtual options.

As anxiety, depression, and trauma often co-occur alongside substance use, our dual diagnosis treatment addresses both together, using approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, medication management, and peer community.

Taking the Next Step In Your Kratom Use Recovery

Kratom withdrawal symptoms may need immediate care, but your recovery journey does not stop with it. Treating these symptoms does not necessarily mean you understand what is leading to kratom use – so the chances of relapse can remain high.

Reaching out to licensed clinicians at Skyline Recovery, who will sit down with you in confidential settings, will allow you to understand what is leading to kratom use and what can be the next step in your recovery. You do not have to commit to anything right away. A life-changing journey can begin with just a conversation.