Kratom withdrawal can be confusing because a lot of people start using it without realizing its potential to be habit-forming. It’s sold in convenience stores, smoke shops and online and is often marketed as being natural. That can make withdrawal unexpected, especially when someone originally used kratom for energy, pain relief, anxiety, or to cut back on opioids.
Kratom withdrawal happens when the body has adapted to regular kratom use and reacts when use is reduced or stopped. The symptoms can affect the body, mood, sleep and cravings. For some people, withdrawal is uncomfortable but manageable, and for others it can feel overwhelming and hard to get through without medical support.
San Diego Detox treats kratom dependence and provides medical detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis care, medication-assisted treatment when appropriate and aftercare planning for adults in the San Diego, California area.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. People may use kratom for reasons including energy, relaxation, pain relief, mood support, or to try to self-manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, kratom doesn’t have any FDA-approved medical uses, and there aren’t any kratom drug products that are FDA-approved and legally marketed in the United States.
Part of what makes kratom complicated is that effects can vary. At lower doses, some people describe stimulant-like effects and at higher doses, kratom can produce effects similar to opioids. The main compounds in kratom can interact with brain receptors in a way that contributes to pain relief, sedation and dependence.
That doesn’t mean kratom is the same as fentanyl, heroin or prescription opioids, but it does mean regular use can change how the body functions and stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal.
Why Does Kratom Cause Withdrawal?
Kratom withdrawal can happen when the brain and nervous system get used to having kratom in the body, and then, over time, a person may need more to feel the same effect. This is tolerance, and in that situation, if the person stops or cuts back, their body has to readjust, and it’s that process that can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom-related substance use disorder can involve cravings, tolerance, continued use despite it causing problems and withdrawal symptoms after stopping.
The risk of withdrawal may be higher when someone:
- Uses kratom every day
- Takes high doses
- Uses kratom extracts or concentrated products
- Uses kratom for months or years
- Combines kratom with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, or prescription medications
- Has a history of opioid use disorder
- Uses kratom to manage anxiety, trauma, depression, or chronic stress
Physical Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal
Kratom withdrawal can feel similar to a mix of opioid withdrawal and the symptoms of coming down from stimulants. Exact symptoms vary depending on the person, but general physical discomfort is very common.
Physical kratom withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Sweating
- Chills
- Temperature swings
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Tremors
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Strong cravings
Some symptoms are uncomfortable but not necessarily dangerous on their own, but withdrawal can become more serious when someone can’t keep fluids down, has severe diarrhea, can’t sleep for several days or is using other substances at the same time.
Medical supervision during kratom withdrawal and detox can also be important if a person has underlying health conditions or a history of complicated withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids or other drugs.
Psychological Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal
The mental and emotional side of kratom withdrawal can be just as hard as the physical symptoms, and in some cases, it’s these that keep you stuck in a cycle of using kratom again.
Psychological symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Panic symptoms
- Trouble focusing
- Restlessness
- Low motivation
- Sleep disruption
- Emotional numbness
- Cravings
- Feeling unable to relax
These symptoms can feel especially intense if a person started using kratom to manage things like anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms or opioid withdrawal. When kratom use stops, the original symptoms may not only return but also feel stronger since the brain and body are adjusting at the same time.
Dual diagnosis treatment can matter in this context. At San Diego Detox, we provide dual diagnosis care for people with substance use concerns and co-occurring mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, PTSD, trauma, bipolar disorder and other co-occurring disorders.
Kratom Withdrawal Timeline: Days 1 to 7 and Beyond
There’s not an exact kratom withdrawal timeline for everyone because symptoms depend on how much someone uses, how often they use it, whether they used extracts, their overall health and if other substances are involved.
First 12 to 24 Hours
Some people start feeling symptoms within the first day after their last kratom dose, and these might include anxiety, sweating, restlessness, cravings, yawning, a runny nose and trouble sleeping. This stage can feel mentally uncomfortable as well, and you might feel distracted, on edge or focused on using kratom again to feel normal.
Days 2 to 3
Symptoms often are more noticeable during days two and three. Physical symptoms can include muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, chills, stomach cramps, fatigue and poor sleep. Cravings can also get worse during this time, and anxiety, irritability and low mood can affect you and make it harder to keep going, especially if you’re trying to detox on your own.
Days 4 to 7
For a lot of people, acute physical symptoms start to get better during this time, but they may not completely disappear. Sleep problems, fatigue, mood swings and cravings can continue, and this part of withdrawal can be frustrating because you might expect to feel better faster.
After the First Week
Some symptoms might last beyond the first week, especially insomnia, anxiety, depression, low motivation and cravings. This doesn’t mean recovery is failing, but it can indicate the nervous system needs more time and support. Ongoing treatment can help you move past withdrawal and address deep-rooted patterns that kept kratom use going.
When Should You Get Medical Supervision for Kratom Withdrawal?
Some people try to quit kratom at home or on their own, but this isn’t always a safe or realistic option. Medical supervision can be a better option if withdrawal feels unmanageable or if there are additional risk factors.
You should consider professional support if you:
- Can’t stop using kratom even though you want to
- Have tried to quit before and returned to use
- Use kratom daily
- Use high doses or concentrated extracts
- Have severe vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration
- Can’t sleep for multiple nights
- Have intense anxiety, depression, panic, or suicidal thoughts
- Use kratom with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or prescription medications
- Have a history of opioid use disorder
- Feel unsafe detoxing alone
At San Diego Detox, we provide medical detox with 24-hour nursing on-site, residential treatment and support for co-occurring mental health symptoms.
How is Kratom Withdrawal Treated?
There’s not a single plan for kratom withdrawal or an FDA-approved medication specifically for it. Instead, treatment starts with a clinical assessment so our medical team can understand your history with kratom use, withdrawal symptoms, health history, mental health needs and any other substance use.
At San Diego Detox, treatment may include medical detox, residential treatment, dual-diagnosis care, medication-assisted treatment when clinically appropriate, and aftercare planning.
Kratom Withdrawal Treatment at San Diego Detox in San Diego, California
At San Diego Detox, we provide medical detox and residential treatment for adults in a private setting in Lakeside, California, around 20 miles east of downtown San Diego. We treat kratom dependence along with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, benzodiazepine dependence, stimulant use disorder, prescription drug addiction and polydrug use.
Our clients at San Diego Detox have access to 24-hour on-site nursing, medical supervision, residential programming, dual-diagnosis treatment, medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, and aftercare planning. The setting includes private suites, chef-prepared meals, a fitness center, executive workspaces and recreational amenities.
For someone who’s tried quitting kratom alone and keeps returning to use, clinical support can make withdrawal more stable and less isolating. Reach out today to learn more.
Kratom Withdrawal FAQs
Kratom withdrawal symptoms will often start within the first day after stopping and may be most noticeable on days two through four. A lot of people will feel some improvements within a week, but certain symptoms like sleep problems, cravings, anxiety, depression and low motivation can last longer.
Kratom withdrawal isn’t always medically dangerous, but it can become risky when symptoms are severe or other substances are involved. Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, severe insomnia, intense anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously.
Yes. Sleep disruption is one of the most common complaints during kratom withdrawal. Some people have a hard time falling asleep, while others will frequently wake up or feel restless at night. Poor sleep can also make anxiety, cravings and mood swings feel worse, which is one reason support during withdrawal can matter.
People often relapse during kratom withdrawal because the symptoms are more intense than they expected, especially without structure or medical support. Relapsing doesn’t mean you’re weak, but it usually does mean you need a more supported treatment plan.
Kratom extracts may increase the risk of strong withdrawal because they can be a lot more concentrated than plain leaf powders or capsules. People using extracts may develop tolerance faster or need higher amounts to feel the same effects. If you use kratom daily, medical supervision may be a safer option than trying to stop on your own.
