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Kratom Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms & More

The kratom withdrawal timeline can vary from person to person, but it does follow a similar progression during the first two weeks. The experience is often very similar to opioid withdrawal with a few unique symptoms.

The timeline for acute withdrawal typically lasts 4 to 7 days, followed by a post-acute phase. Because of the symptoms most clients experience, the rate of relapse is quite high. The following timeline can help you determine whether you or a loved one is going through withdrawal.
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  • By Phillippe Greenough
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    Phillippe Greenough

    Alongside writing and editing for The Summit Wellness Group, Phillippe is a pers … read more

  • Medically Reviewed By Dr. Mary Gay
    Dr Mary Gay

    Dr. Mary Gay

    Dr. Mary Gay is a Licensed Professional Counselor of GA in clinical practice sin … read more

  • Last Updated on August 30th, 2021

In this article

Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of kratom withdrawal can include:

  • Anxiety and Irritability
  • Depression (with or without suicidal ideation)
  • Dysphoria (a general sense of unease or unhappiness)
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Repeated Yawning or Stretching
  • Rhinorrhea (extremely runny nose)
  • Insomnia
  • Mood Swings
  • Tremors
  • Muscle, Bone, and Joint Pain
  • Diarrhea and Nausea
  • Hallucinations

The best thing you can do when experiencing kratom withdrawal is to enter a professional detox facility. Withdrawal is extremely unpleasant and could even be life threatening.

Kratom Withdrawal

Kratom Withdrawal Timeline

There have not yet been enough studies performed to get a clear picture of kratom withdrawal in humans. We can look at some documented cases to get a rough idea of what is involved in the acute phase of withdrawal. Kratom withdrawal shares similarities to opioid withdrawal. Because of this, the timeline is similar as well. Depending on the amount and length of time that someone used kratom, the acute phase of withdrawal lasts roughly 4 to 7 days. It is recommended to seek medical help when facing kratom withdrawal.

First 24 Hours

Withdrawal symptoms begin around 12 hours from the last time someone used kratom. The first symptoms will be excessive sweating with an increase in anxiety. This starts off very mild and usually escalates over the first day. From roughly 12 to 24 hours after the last kratom use, individuals may experience:

  • Muscle Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Bone Pain
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Nausea
  • Visual Distortions

A fever is also expected to begin during the first day and may worsen as withdrawal continues. Anxiety will increase and insomnia is common during the first few days. Cravings for kratom may also begin at this point alongside mood swings. The appearance of mood swings and their intensity varies between people.

Days 2 and 3

During the next few days, depression may set in as well as cravings for kratom intensifying. The visual distortions that some people experience may disappear during this time. Tremors or shaking and impaired coordination usually appear during the second or third day. Insomnia, lack of appetite, and dehydration can worsen these symptoms. Fever will usually stabilize during this time.

Days 4 Through 7

Pain in the muscles, joints, or bones will decrease during this time. The abdominal pain may go away completely but nausea may persist for a few more days. Likewise, the tremors, fever, and coordination issues may resolve around the fourth day. A mild tremor may persist for a short time.

Week 2 and Onwards (Post-Acute)

The worst of the physical symptoms are usually resolved at this point. There may still be minor, lingering symptoms. While the physical symptoms may begin to lessen after the first two weeks, anxiety, depression, and cravings may still persist for some time.

The weeks after acute withdrawal usually pose the highest risk of relapse. Once the physical symptoms are resolved and the memory of that discomfort fades, the psychological symptoms and cravings can make it seem more and more attractive to try kratom again.

How Bad is Kratom Withdrawal?

The lack of kratom regulation or quality control makes it hard to determine the exact doses that someone is taking. Higher doses of kratom will produce more intense withdrawal symptoms. Similar to opioid withdrawal, the longer kratom is used and the larger the amounts used, the greater the withdrawal symptoms will be.

For a more exact look, a collaborative study performed by the Universiti Sains Malaysia and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany seems to be definitive on this matter. They surveyed 293 regular kratom users and found that of those who used kratom for more than 6 months, more than half developed severe dependence. The average amount of the active metabolite mitragynine in the kratom drinks these subjects were taking was 79mg per drink. Those that had 3 or more kratom drinks per day had a much higher chance of developing kratom addiction, withdrawal, and cravings. Finally, the withdrawal symptoms become more intense the longer the drug is used.

The intensity of kratom withdrawal symptoms is linked to the length of time it was used and the amounts used. Depending on the amounts used, kratom withdrawal can be expected to fall somewhere in the range of 4 to 7 days. The less kratom used, the less intense the withdrawals were and the shorter the symptoms persisted.

If you or someone you know is experiencing kratom withdrawal, it is recommended to enter a detox center to reduce the risks and the discomfort. Once detox has been completed, treatment can begin at our treatment center in Atlanta.

More About Kratom Addiction

References

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