How to quit kratom?

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In brief: What is kratom and why is it addictive?

Kratom is a plant substance extracted from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree in Southeast Asia. Its effects are similar to opioids; in small doses, it acts as a stimulant (providing energy and lifting mood), while in higher doses, it has sedative effects (relieving pain and inducing relaxation).

For more detailed information about kratom, including personal experiences, see the article 🔎: Everything you need to know about kratom: Types, effects, risks, addiction, dosage, legality and personal experience.

Kratom contains alkaloids (mainly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) that bind to opioid receptors in the brain in a similar way to opiates and can be addictive.

With long-term and regular use, tolerance develops and kratom becomes addictive – you need higher and higher doses, and without it, you begin to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Scientific studies and research show that some regular users may develop a physical dependence on kratom (tolerance and withdrawal), which in some respects can be comparable to opioid withdrawal.

Why is kratom addictive? The mechanism of action of kratom is similar to that of opioids – it activates the same reward centres in the brain.

👨‍⚕️ “Kratom is not directly an opiate, but its mechanism of action is very similar, affecting the same receptors in the brain and creating a similar physical dependence,” explains addiction specialist Ondřej Jedlička.

Kratom has the potential to be addictive, and many users describe typical symptoms of addiction and withdrawal.

Tired woman lying on a couch experiencing kratom withdrawal, kratom leaves, powder and capsules, Canatura logo in the bottom right corner

Side effects of kratom

Kratom has a number of side effects and health risks, especially at higher doses or with long-term use.

 Acute side effects include, for example:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Itchy skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Digestive problems (constipation and vomiting)
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness

More serious reactions may occur at higher doses:

  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Seizures

Long-term regular use of kratom tends to have negative effects on both the body and mind.

Physical consequences:

  • Significant weight loss
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

Mental consequences:

  • Apathy
  • Depression, memory and concentration disorders
  • Psychotic episodes

Mixing kratom with other drugs or alcohol is highly dangerous. For example, simultaneous use of high doses of kratom and alcohol can lead to respiratory depression, liver failure, and several deaths have been documented.

Combining kratom with stimulants (methamphetamine, cocaine) puts extreme strain on the heart and the entire body, which can lead to collapse.

👨‍⚕️ Experts therefore warn that kratom is definitely not a “safe alternative” to other drugs – especially with regular use, there is a risk of a number of health complications.

Symptoms of kratom addiction

How can you tell that you are losing control over kratom and have developed an addiction? There are many warning signs – from physical symptoms to mood swings to problems in everyday life.

Typical symptoms of addiction include:

  • Psychological symptoms: Strong cravings (the urge to take kratom again), irritability, anxiety or even depression without a dose. You may lose motivation for other activities and everything will start to revolve around kratom.

  • Physical symptoms: Gradual increase in tolerance – the original doses no longer work and you need to take more and more kratom. You may also experience sleep problems (insomnia or poor sleep quality), various pains (e.g. muscle cramps) and digestive problems such as loss of appetite or constipation.

  • Social symptoms: Neglect of responsibilities at work, school or in the family. The addict may spend significant amounts of money on kratom and start borrowing money. They may also deny their problem to those around them and to themselves (secrecy or downplaying their use).

If you notice these symptoms in yourself (or a loved one), take action before the problem gets worse, because the longer the addiction lasts, the more difficult it is to break free from it.

Withdrawal symptoms (“kratom withdrawal”)

Once physical dependence on kratom has developed, withdrawal symptoms (“withdrawal”) occur when use is discontinued. These unpleasant symptoms can appear as early as 12 hours after the last dose, and many of them resemble the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiates.

  • Physical withdrawal symptoms: muscle and joint pain, tremors, sweating, chills, elevated temperature or fever, digestive problems such as diarrhoea or nausea.
  • Psychological withdrawal symptoms: severe irritability, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia and general restlessness. In more severe cases, disorientation and temporary hallucinations have also been reported.

During withdrawal, significant fatigue, apathy and loss of motivation may also occur – a feeling that without kratom, one “cannot function normally”.

The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the duration and intensity of use. With long-term high doses, withdrawal can be quite severe, but don’t worry, these difficulties are not permanent.

They usually peak around the third day after discontinuation and gradually subside over the course of 1 to 2 weeks.

A man suffering from insomnia, a side effect of kratom, Canatura logo in the bottom right corner

💬 For example, 24-year-old Jiří described his experience as follows: “After a while, I slowly became unable to get out of bed without kratom… I decided to quit, but it was pretty brutal. I had severe withdrawal symptoms, I tried to quit several times, and I only succeeded completely on the third attempt.“

 💬 From my personal experience, I also know that it’s quite a struggle. It was about two to three years ago, so I don’t fully remember how long I was on it, but it was a few weeks to months, and I definitely went through some unwanted effects, including withdrawal.

I knew that quitting kratom cold turkey would probably knock me out (which you shouldn’t do anyway), so I started slowly reducing the doses. Gradually, a little less every day. I also sorted it out in my head – I realised that it was actually doing me more harm than good.

I’ve had kratom once since then – I went to the mountains and thought it was a good idea (but it wasn’t), and it made me feel sick immediately. So I don’t plan on going back to it, I don’t even think about it, and fortunately, while writing this article, I remembered far more negative experiences than positive ones.

These experiences show that although overcoming withdrawal can be difficult and sometimes requires several attempts, it is possible to do so, and the important thing is to persevere. Do not hesitate to ask for help from professionals who can relieve the worst symptoms.

How to stop taking kratom? Best practices

You may be thinking that breaking free from kratom addiction seems like a superhuman task. But it is definitely possible, and you can do it! I am proof of that.

In my case, it helped that I realised myself that I had gone too far and decided to quit. The following best practices increase your chances of success:

  1. Gradual reduction of doses (tapering): Sudden withdrawal from kratom (“turkey”) can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, reduce doses gradually. Experts recommend reducing doses by about 5–10% per week to give the body time to gradually adjust. This can help lessen the shock to the body and make withdrawal easier to manage.

  2. Alleviating withdrawal symptoms: During withdrawal, make sure you drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Freely available herbal remedies for calming and sleep (e.g. lemon balm and valerian teas) and dietary supplements to support the nervous system – especially B vitamins and magnesium – are recommended.

In cases of severe withdrawal symptoms, temporary medication may be considered after consultation with a doctor: clonidine (to lower blood pressure and reduce tremors) is sometimes prescribed, or sedatives or antidepressants may be prescribed for a short period to relieve anxiety and insomnia.

In exceptional severe cases of kratom addiction, doctors may also resort to substitution therapy (e.g. buprenorphine/naloxone, known as Suboxone), which is commonly used in the treatment of opioid addiction. All of these supportive measures help to overcome the most difficult phase of withdrawal.

  1. Psychotherapy and professional help: In the long term, it is most important to involve a professional who can help you overcome the psychological aspects of addiction.

Addiction psychotherapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment – it allows you to understand the causes that led to excessive use and learn to manage the urge to return to drugs without succumbing to it.

The therapist will also advise you on strategies to prevent relapse (sliding back into addiction). Some people attend individual therapy, while others may prefer group support (e.g. self-help meetings with people who have the same problem).

The support of family and loved ones is also very important – talk to a trusted family member or friend about your decision to quit kratom. Their understanding and encouragement can give you the strength to persevere.

In the case of more serious addiction, do not hesitate to seek professional help as soon as possible. You do not have to go through withdrawal alone – across Europe, there is a network of addiction services specialising in the treatment of substance dependence.

The sooner you start withdrawal, the easier it will be

It is possible to break free from kratom addiction, but it will take patience, determination and, in most cases, support from those around you.

Kratom can be addictive and cause a range of undesirable effects, from physical problems to mental health issues.

If you find that you cannot control your kratom use, do not wait and start addressing the situation. The sooner you start, the easier it will be to get out of it.

Seek professional help, gradually reduce your doses and be prepared for the fact that overcoming withdrawal symptoms will take several days to weeks, but after that it will only get better and better.

Many people, including myself, have successfully gone through this process, and you can too. For me, the most important thing is to get your head straight, find some activities (walking, exercise, yoga or meditation) and stay hydrated.

I’m rooting for you to make it through, whether you’re just starting out or already well on your way. Believe me, even though it’s not easy, you can overcome your kratom addiction. ✊🍀

FAQ

Check out other questions that interest you most in relation to this topic.

1. How long does it take to become addicted to kratom?

Addiction can develop within a few weeks of regular use, especially if high doses (e.g. 10-15 g per day) are taken or kratom is taken several times a day.

The individual risk depends on the sensitivity of the organism, mental state and frequency of use. Typically, people start with a small dose and quickly increase their tolerance, which can lead to the development of psychological and physical dependence.

2. How long do kratom withdrawal symptoms last?

Withdrawal symptoms (“kratom withdrawal”) appear approximately 6–12 hours after the last dose and usually last 5 to 10 days. They peak between the 2nd and 4th day.

These include:

  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Muscle pain
  • Chills
  • Diarrhoea
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Psychological symptoms (e.g. cravings for kratom, fatigue or apathy) may persist for several weeks, but gradually fade away.

3. How long does kratom remain in the blood?

The active ingredients in kratom (especially mitragynine) are broken down slowly in the body. The half-life of mitragynine is approximately 24 hours, but may be longer in regular users.

Kratom can be detected in the bloodstream for approximately 2–5 days after the last dose, and even longer in urine. The exact time depends on the dose, metabolism and frequency of use.

4. What can replace kratom?

If you used kratom for energy, mood, or calming effects, there are safer alternatives:

  • Exercise 💪: even light activity (walking, yoga, running) increases endorphins and helps improve mood.
  • Caffeine (coffee alternatives) ☕️: Guarana, matcha, or yerba mate can provide stimulation without euphoric highs.
  • Herbs 🌿: lemon balm, valerian, passionflower or CBD products help calm you down.
  • Adaptogens 🧠: Rhodiola rosea or ashwagandha, for example, help manage stress and stabilise energy levels.
  • Routine 📅: Regular sleep, meals, and routines can replace the psychological “support framework” that kratom previously provided.


 

If you used kratom to relieve anxiety, pain, or other mental health issues, consult a therapist or doctor.

5. Where to seek professional help?

In European countries:

  • Addiction Services at hospitals or as separate facilities.
  • Psychiatrists and practitioners trained in addiction treatment (you can also contact them about kratom, even though it is not officially classified as a drug in all countries).
  • Online therapy and counselling (e.g. TherapyRoute.com or DrugRehab.com).

In some countries (e.g. Sweden, Finland), specialised counselling centres dealing specifically with kratom addiction have already been established.

If you are in distress, do not hesitate to contact your GP or crisis hotlines.

 

Sources:

 

Author: Patricie Mikolášová

 

 

Photo: AI

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