Quick Summary
Kratom is a plant product whose main compounds act on the same mu-opioid receptors as opioid drugs, and people who use it regularly can get withdrawal symptoms when they stop. NIDA summarizes the research as pointing to mild to moderate withdrawal, but it is real, it shows up most in heavy daily users, and it gets more complicated when opioids, other substances or concentrated 7-OH products are part of the picture. This guide covers the symptoms people report, who is more likely to have a rough time, why there is no standard timeline yet, and what safe help looks like.
Key Takeaways
- NIDA says people may have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms when they stop regular kratom use.
- Commonly reported symptoms include stomach upset, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, low energy and cravings.
- Withdrawal is more likely with heavy, frequent use and in people with a past history of opioid use.
- There are no FDA-approved medications for kratom use disorder or kratom withdrawal, so care is built around the person.
- If kratom was covering up an opioid problem, or other drugs or alcohol are involved, stopping should be planned with a clinician.
What Kratom Does in the Body
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It is sold as powder, capsules, teas and extracts, often at gas stations, smoke shops and online. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), its two best-known compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), both activate mu-opioid receptors, the same receptors that drugs like oxycodone and heroin act on. NIDA also notes the effects only partly resemble those of opioids, and that people report stimulant-like effects at smaller doses and opioid- or sedative-like effects at larger ones.
That mix matters for withdrawal. When the brain gets used to a steady supply of something that acts on opioid receptors, it adjusts. Take that supply away and the body has to readjust, which is what withdrawal is.
One more point people miss: there are no uses for kratom approved by the FDA, NIDA says, and products are not standardized. Two bags with the same label can contain very different amounts of the active compounds.
Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms
A 2022 study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine by Smith and colleagues asked people who had ever used kratom more than four times a week what happened when they stopped for a day or longer. The most common symptoms were:
- Stomach and gut upset
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue and low energy
- Cravings for kratom
- Wanting to use another substance to ease the withdrawal
This was an online convenience sample, so it does not represent everyone who uses kratom. The abstract describes the symptoms as moderate, and the authors wrote that most respondents reported a withdrawal of mild to moderate severity that in many respects resembled opioid withdrawal. A 2023 expert forum published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports added that some reported symptoms look like opioid withdrawal, such as a runny nose, muscle pain and diarrhea, while others look more like coming off sedatives or stimulants, such as lethargy, low mood and anxiety.
That last item on the list deserves attention. Using alcohol, opioids or sedatives to get through withdrawal can add serious risks. Ask a clinician for help instead, especially if other substances are already involved.
Who Is More Likely to Have a Hard Time
Not everyone who uses kratom gets withdrawal. The 2023 expert forum reported that withdrawal shows up mostly in people taking high amounts many times a day over a long stretch, and that reports are more likely among people with a prior history of opioid use. Some groups that should plan ahead before stopping:
- Heavy daily users. Dosing several times a day, every day, is the pattern most tied to withdrawal.
- People with a history of opioid use. The expert forum noted that kratom withdrawal reports are more likely in this group. If kratom was standing in for pain pills, heroin or fentanyl, plan the stop with a clinician.
- People using concentrated 7-OH products. In July 2025 the FDA recommended scheduling certain concentrated 7-OH products as controlled substances, saying 7-OH has potential for abuse because it binds to opioid receptors and that the action was not aimed at natural kratom leaf, according to the HHS announcement. Our post on 7-OH risks covers these products in more detail.
- People mixing substances. Using kratom alongside alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids adds risk, and withdrawal from those substances can be far more serious than kratom withdrawal alone.
- People with anxiety, depression or chronic pain. Some people report using kratom to manage pain or mental health symptoms. Make a plan for those concerns with a clinician before stopping.
How Long Does Kratom Withdrawal Last?
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that researchers have not settled on a standard timeline. The studies so far are mostly online surveys and case reports, and kratom products vary so much that two people stopping “the same” amount may not be stopping the same dose at all. The 2023 expert forum called for more research on exactly how dose and frequency relate to how bad withdrawal gets.
What the research does show is that some regular users report symptoms after going a day or more without kratom, and that cravings vary widely from person to person. Longer-lasting symptoms are possible, but the evidence so far does not establish a typical kratom timeline, so ask a clinician what to expect for your pattern of use. Our guide to protracted withdrawal explains that longer tail, and our post on sleep disruption during withdrawal has practical tips for the nights that drag.
We’re here to make treatment as accessible and affordable as possible, and we are in network with many insurance providers. Not sure about your coverage? We can help.
How Kratom Withdrawal Is Treated
NIDA states there are currently no approved medical therapies for kratom use disorder, and the expert forum noted that kratom withdrawal is not yet a formal diagnosis. In practice, that means treatment is built around the person instead of a set protocol. A clinician may ask about:
- How much kratom you use, how often, and in what form (leaf powder, extract or a 7-OH product)
- Whether you have used opioids in the past, or are using them now
- Whether alcohol, benzodiazepines or other drugs are in the picture
- What the kratom was helping with, such as pain, energy, anxiety or low mood
From there, options can include a gradual taper, medications to ease specific symptoms, and support for sleep, nutrition and stress. Medication choices are a clinical call, and the evidence is limited. The expert forum, a commentary rather than a treatment guideline, took the view that opioid medications such as methadone and buprenorphine should not be the first choice for kratom withdrawal, especially for someone with no opioid history. The 2022 study pointed to case reports where buprenorphine was used for severe cases. Neither is a general rule, which is why this decision belongs with a prescriber who knows your full history.
Withdrawal is only the first step. If kratom became a way to cope, therapy helps build other ways to handle cravings, stress and the problems kratom was covering. Our guide on how to stop cravings is a good place to start, and our kratom addiction treatment page explains how Discovery Point Retreat approaches care. Ask the admissions team which services are currently available for your situation.
Can You Quit Kratom at Home?
Some people may be able to taper with a doctor’s guidance. Stopping on your own is a riskier bet when any of these are true:
- You also use opioids, or kratom was replacing them
- You drink heavily or take benzodiazepines, since stopping those suddenly after heavy regular use can be dangerous
- You use concentrated 7-OH products
- You have tried to quit before and could not get past the first few days
- You have a history of seizures, heart problems or serious mental health symptoms
If any of those fit, talk to a clinician before you stop. A medically supervised detox can manage symptoms, watch for complications and set up the next level of care before you leave.
A Note on Opioid Overdose Risk
If kratom was helping you stay off opioids, the weeks after you stop kratom need extra care. According to MedlinePlus, going through opioid withdrawal lowers tolerance, so someone who returns to opioids can overdose on a smaller amount than they used before. Keep naloxone on hand and make sure someone around you knows how to use it.
When to Reach Out for Help
Reach out to a doctor or a treatment program if you cannot cut back on your own, if withdrawal keeps pulling you back to kratom, if you are thinking about using opioids or other drugs to get through it, or if your mood drops hard after stopping.
If you or someone you know is in emotional crisis, call or text 988. If anyone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to an emergency department.
If someone has stopped breathing, cannot be woken or may have overdosed, call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person until help arrives.
Talking With a Professional
You do not need to have it all figured out before you call. It helps to know roughly how much kratom you use and how often, what form it comes in, and any other substances or medications you take. Good questions to ask:
- Do I need supervised detox, or is an outpatient taper realistic for me?
- How will you handle my symptoms if I also have a history of opioid use?
- What happens after withdrawal, and how long do people usually stay in treatment?
- Will my insurance cover this, and what will I owe?
The admissions team at Discovery Point Retreat can walk you through what an assessment involves and check your insurance benefits.
FAQ
Is kratom withdrawal dangerous?
Research mostly describes it as mild to moderate. The bigger dangers usually come from what surrounds it: using other drugs or alcohol to cope, returning to opioids with lower tolerance, or stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines at the same time without medical help.
What does kratom withdrawal feel like?
People most often report stomach upset, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and cravings. Some describe opioid-like symptoms such as a runny nose, muscle aches and diarrhea.
How long does kratom withdrawal last?
There is no standard timeline yet, because products and use patterns vary so much. Ask a clinician what to expect based on how much and how often you use.
Are there medications for kratom withdrawal?
NIDA says there are no approved medical therapies for kratom use disorder. Clinicians may use medications to treat specific symptoms, chosen case by case.
Is 7-OH the same as kratom?
No. 7-OH is a compound found in small amounts in kratom and also formed in the body from mitragynine. Concentrated 7-OH products are a different and more potent thing, and the FDA recommended scheduling certain of them in 2025.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Kratom. Accessed November 2026. nida.nih.gov
- Smith KE, et al. Assessment of Kratom Use Disorder and Withdrawal Among an Online Convenience Sample of US Adults. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2022. Accessed November 2026. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Henningfield JE, et al. Kratom withdrawal: Discussions and conclusions of a scientific expert forum. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 2023. Accessed November 2026. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers. July 29, 2025. Accessed November 2026. hhs.gov
- MedlinePlus. Opiate and opioid withdrawal. Accessed November 2026. medlineplus.gov
Related Reading
- Kratom Addiction Treatment in Texas
- 7-OH (7-Hydroxymitragynine) Risks
- Gas Station Heroin: What Tianeptine Is and What Withdrawal Looks Like
- How Long Does Withdrawal Last?
- Protracted Withdrawal
Resources
- 988 Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential support 24/7.
- SAMHSA National Helpline. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the SAMHSA National Helpline page for free, confidential referrals to local treatment.
- 911. For any medical emergency, including a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately.
This article is general education and is not medical advice.
If kratom has gotten harder to put down than you expected, call Discovery Point Retreat at (855) 245-7133 to talk with our admissions team about a safe way to stop.
