Ultimate Guide to Quitting kratom [Updated 2022]

Kratom is a very effective and safe herbal remedy for several conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, relieving of pain among others. The effect they cause isn’t much different from opiates and stimulants. Many people have now turned to this herb as an alternative to harmful and addictive prescription drugs.

But just like other substances, frequent use of Kratom in huge doses may lead to dependence and tolerance. Through the information provided in this article, you will get to know how to evade withdrawal symptoms when quitting Kratom. This includes possible symptoms that arise when one stops using Kratom. People struggling with addiction or dependence on kratom have many options available to assist them in the process of quitting kratom.

Recovery Program and Treatment Center for Quitting kratom

Some people normally quit using kratom on their own, recovery programs and treatment centers do offer several benefits in facilitating this process.

Some of the benefits are as follows:

• Psychiatric and medical care. It is important to go through medical supervision in the acute stages of quitting kratom. Professionals in these places can easily help to ease the discomfort that a person may have at this stage. It is also possible to experience psychiatric symptoms that usually trigger relapses if not treated. Additionally, treatment programs also provide therapists and referrals, sober living homes, or 12-step programs that offer ongoing care or even aftercare.
• You will receive support from professionals and peers as well. Support from peers helps people to maintain a steady focus on sobriety. Aftercare programs and treatment centers also offer an environment where one can be held accountable during their recovery.
• There are benefits to receiving therapy. Underlying feelings, thoughts, experiences, or mental health issues can trigger substance abuse. With a team of professionals trained to detect and treat these problems can assist in the maintenance of sobriety in the long-term. Exposure to therapy also teaches users ways of coping with anxiety, stress, and depression.

The following are categories of recovery programs and treatment centers for Kratom addiction:

• Detox. Withdrawal of kratom in a detox center guarantees to detox from kratom in a comfortable and safe environment. Facilities specializing in detoxification typically will not emphasize substance abuse therapy, but they will instead focus on treating psychiatric and medical symptoms. Most people usually transition to longer-term and ongoing treatment after detoxing.
• Inpatient. Kratom recovery centers for inpatients have residential programs that offer family, individual, couples, nutritional, group, medication, and recreational management services. The facilities do vary in services, prices, and an overall approach. The length of treatment begins from one month and can continue for many months. This depends on insurance coverage and the severity of dependence.
• Outpatient. For outpatients, recovery programs for kratom vary in terms of intensity and setting. Examples of outpatient structured treatment approaches may include Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) As Well As Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). These programs emphasize sessions of group therapy and also provide individual and family therapy as required.
• Group counseling. This set focuses on core issues and offers structured ways of addressing an issue with support from a therapist and peers. Available of groups are there to cater for physical and mental ailments, domestic violence, grief and loss, and other factors that drive abuse of the substance.
• Individual counseling. Focusing on individual therapy helps a user to heal from any past dysfunctional patterns or traumas which contribute to the abuse of kratom. In the mental health field, most therapists focus on issues related to substance abuse.
• 12 step programs. These programs help millions of kratom users to restore soberness. These groups offer support, education, and accountability at no cost.

Aftercare Program

Just ceasing the intake of a substance is not usually enough. Getting full recovery could take months or even years which is dependent on addiction severity. Participating actively in aftercare programs can improve the chance of a person to maintain sobriety in a great way.

The length and level of care needed by a person may vary. You just need to talk to a professional for you to make an informed decision about the next steps you should take after treatment.

The following are the common forms of aftercare:

• Group or individual counseling.
• 12-step programs.
• Sober living.
• Support based on mobile-phone.
• Programs of formal outpatient treatments.

Use of Kratom and Dependence

Like other substances, tolerance is one of the most important concerns after using Kratom for a long period. It happens when Kratom is used frequently in high doses. Kratom is sometimes considered harmful under certain circumstances, but it is generally considered non-addicting and safe for consumption. For this reason, users need to use the drug for a short time and the prescribed dosage as well. Using kratom in a certain cycle is advised while taking breaks after a fortnight before resuming.

Now, why does Kratom dependence develop? The main reason is Mitragynine, the natural alkaloids found in the plant. These active alkaloids found in Kratom affect the receptor sites of the brain. When used in high doses and frequently, these alkaloids build-up to an accumulated level in the brain, and this elicits the sedating and stimulating effects.

If the taking of Kratom is stopped instantly after developing a dependence, the brain experiences a rebound effect while trying to quickly regain balance. This brain reaction, unfortunately, brings about withdrawal symptoms. Because the receptors fail to be stimulated like they were used to, it is likely for a user to experience the harsh effects of withdrawal.

Kratom further stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain. Being a neurotransmitter, dopamine is critical for the reward system of the brain–chemical in the brain that makes one feel highly motivated. For instance, the release of dopamine happens while eating the food you have been highly craving for. The brain loves this feeling a lot that it allows allow you to repeat this same behavior which triggered the release of dopamine.

In the case of Kratom, taking more provides all the pleasurable and euphoric feelings.

When this source of pleasure is suddenly stopped, it makes this process of quitting Kratom very challenging, because this common user experiences different withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings as well.

Quitting Kratom Effectively and Safely

How difficult is quitting Kratom? Many people who use kratom have been asking this question, but most assuredly, the answer is a big No. But if one follows the right procedure as well as endeavor to watch on the progress, quitting Kratom will be smooth-sail. In case some side effects are unpleasant manifest, one is advised to see the doctor get proper guidance.

Some users also try suddenly quitting Kratom, which is very risky. This is highly not advised, as sudden withdrawal of Kratom can cause similar effects as symptoms of opioid withdrawal. There are quite several ways to quit Kratom safely. The American Addiction Centers usually recommend tapering and detox. Detox is a process of removing toxins from the human body.

Just like other substances that are addictive, like opioids and alcohol, dosages can be slowly reduced over some time to bring the withdrawal symptoms and cravings to a lower level. The main goal of tapering and detox is to work gradually on a restoration of the brain chemistry instead of shocking it by stopping abruptly the intake of this drug.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Kratom

A user of Kratom is likely to experience symptoms that can be mild to severe if they stop using Kratom suddenly. The withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening at all. They include the following:

Physiological Withdrawal Symptoms

• Body pains and aches
• Tremors
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Hot flashes
• Sweating
• A runny nose
• Hiccups
• Fever
• A headache
• Muscle spasms
• Problems with sleep
• Watery eyes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

• Tension
• Restlessness
• Anger
• Depression or Sadness
• Nervousness
• Cravings

The severity of withdrawal symptoms and the period a kratom user may have these experiences depends on several factors which include:

• The amount of Kratom consumed.
• The period Kratom has been consumed.
• If the individual happens to have any history of medical, psychiatric, or abuse of substance issues.

Period of Kratom Withdrawals

Based on user reports and experiences, symptoms of kratom withdrawal may take 3-4 days, with most users experiencing improvement by Day 2. Generally, it could take a week for the symptoms to entirely disappear. For the people experiencing symptoms of withdrawal and are expecting to have a drug test, you don’t have to worry. Drug testing for Kratom is very rare. Few laboratories list Mitragynine and other forms of Kratom alkaloids being looked for.

Tapering Down The Use of Kratom

Once you decide to quit Kratom, ensure you have a positive mindset when approaching the situation.

First of all, prepare yourself mentally and physically. You will expect to have an uncomfortable feeling, with a progressive increase of intense crave for Kratom.

Tapering effectively means that, in case you are used to taking 10grams every day, just reduce this dosage to 500mg. Continue following this for 3 days and later on cut off another 500mg.

This method will help your brain to perform gradual adjustments and it will help one use 9grams the next time without experiencing any symptoms. When doses are slowly lowered in a pattern, one will eventually need 2 grams or even no drug at all.

The amount by which you reduce with is based on your own choice, but anywhere ranging from 300 – 500mg seems to work well with most users. Assuming you have not used Kratom for continuous two weeks and one time, you need to use the drug so that it can assist you to sleep. There is no cause for worry, as your opioid receptors in the brain have already performed rebalancing during those days you have not been taking Kratom.

How to Detox Kratom while at Home

For those individuals who don’t like being in a detox facility or rehabilitation center, there are several ways in which you can safely perform detoxification at home. Because Kratom exerts kind of an effect which is opioid-like, withdrawal is much more likely similar to the withdrawal of opioids.

That said, the American Addiction Centers advocate user to follow some special procedures to minimize the effects of kratom withdrawal. The following are some standard treatments for managing “cold and flu” withdrawal symptoms:

• Taking a Healthy Vitamin Diet and Supplements

During Kratom withdrawal, the body is likely to experience various nutritional deficiencies.

Based on research, people with addiction to opiates may become deficient in calcium and magnesium, which contributes to muscle pain and spasms. Deficiency of Potassium can also be attributed to the Restless Leg Syndrome.

Having a healthy, light meal can improve balance in your nutrition. Taking a multivitamin or even supplementing deficient places can help in easing the symptoms of withdrawal and also speed up the process of recovery.

• Hydration

Excessive sweating and diarrhea that happen during withdrawal can easily make a person very dehydrated. Drinking a lot of fluids prevents the discomfort that is associated with the problem dehydration. Taking hydration beverages like sports drinks can help you to restore the electrolytes which have been lost in the process.

• Taking Hot baths

According to most people recovering from abuse of substance, having a hot bath may improve withdrawal symptoms. Challenges such as muscle pains, headaches, and back pain can be easily alleviated through soaking in warm water, and this soothing experience helps an individual to sleep. The addition of Epsom salt to water also helps in soothing sore muscles. You should, however, keep away from hot baths when experiencing a fever. You can instead use heating pads to help in soothing the achy muscles.

• Take supplements and medications

Some withdrawal symptoms can be managed by taking medications over-the-counter. For instance, reducing diarrhea can be done by using non-prescription drugs like Imodium (Loperamide). For muscle pains and aches, you may use topical analgesics or even NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. If you happen to have insomnia, you can use sleep supplements that are natural like melatonin and Valerian root.

• Use distractions

Withdrawal symptoms of kratom can be very overwhelming to some people. In this case, distractions such as entertainment can be a great relief from the uncomfortable feeling of the detoxification process. Laughter is also a great source of distractions and promotes the release of endorphins. You can also watch funny movies, read books, spend time chatting with friends, and much more. These activities will provide the necessary distraction to keep you away from your withdrawal symptoms.

Final Thoughts on Quitting Kratom

Regardless of any substance being used, habit quitting could be difficult for anybody. For individuals who entirely depend on Kratom in their day to day life, while using in higher doses for a long period, it could some time to restore sober living.

Several things can help you to adjust your life after stopping Kratom. You can get to find a hobby and also join events that do not have any association with the use of Kratom. This includes attending to local fairs, participating in musical events, as well as joining social clubs. These are good and helpful options that can keep you occupied and active.

In case you have chronic pain and usually depend on Kratom for relief, there are many alternatives to Kratom, and are equally effective with less addiction. In the process of quitting Kratom, you can carefully reduce the amount for your brain to heal gently. Combine all the strategies provided, and quitting kratom will not be a challenge at all.