Addiction / Dependence Potential
Unlike many new pharmaceutical drugs that are put on the market with very limited testing done, Kratom has thousands of years of experience from countless amounts of people, and nowhere do we seem to find any reasons to believe that it poses serious negative health effects, even after years of daily use. That being said, regular use of Kratom can be habit-forming, especially if users turns to Kratom as a means of coping with stress, anxiety, or some other form of discontent in their lives.
Daily use of Kratom can lead to a dependence on it to simply get through the day, in a similar way that someone can enjoy the effects of alcohol to eventually becoming dependent on it. Although the physical safety of Kratom usage appears to be impeccable for a medicinal plant of its caliber, there are some problems that can occur with heavy prolonged Kratom use.
The biggest problem that can result from daily, heavy use is physical dependence. However, the physical dependence that Kratom causes wouldn’t be considered severe in comparison to many other pharmaceuticals; even in the most heavy users, Kratom withdrawal seems to cause no lasting physical or psychological harm, although it may be quite uncomfortable.
Anti-Addictive Properties
Another interesting factor that keeps Kratom safe is that it’s psychological, anxiolytic and potential euphoric effects have a definite ceiling effect (Please see, Kratom Safety). Unlike many drugs and alcohol, taking more Kratom, more often doesn’t lead to higher pleasurable effect levels.
The benefits of this are that it keeps those with addictive personalities from being able to abuse Kratom past a certain extent. Excessive using Kratom increases tolerance and diminishes pleasurable effects, and increase negative side effects.
Kratom Withdrawal
Prolonged use of Kratom — particularly cases where an individual is using Kratom in high dosages for an extended period of time — can result in physical withdrawal symptoms. That being said, Kratom withdrawal symptoms and timeline are significantly milder than many other substances and can easily be avoided by tapering doses until cessation.
Any addiction is not just a physical process; it’s also a mental process. Some addictions have serious physical complications such as opiates, alcohol, ghb, and others. Other addictions have a psychological aspect to them. Kratom has very mild addiction & withdrawal symptoms in comparison with many other substances, but they should be taken seriously and with forethought and planning.
Many of withdrawal symptoms of Kratom cessation align with Kratom effects. So when you remove those positive effects, such as sedation, anxiety relief and pain relief, you’re more apt to experience these ailments. Since you’ve been relieved of these ailments for an extended period of time, their return can seem more noticeable. Another thing to keep in mind, if you were using Kratom to treat a particular condition such as chronic pain, you can expect to see that symptom return since it will no longer be managed.
Kratom withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to what one would experience when withdrawing from opiate painkillers, can include:
Physical Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Runny sinuses
- Muscle pain and cramping
- Involuntary limbic movements
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Generalized pain or aches
- Increased in perceived sensitivities to minor or phantom pain.
Mental / Emotional Symptoms of Kratom Withdrawal
- Anhedonia
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Hostility and aggression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Paranoia
Withdrawal Managment
Kratom Withdrawal — How Long Does Detox Take?
The Kratom withdrawal duration varies from person to person.
The most severe Kratom withdrawal, headaches and other symptoms may last for 3 to 5 days, with some people experiencing some noticeable discomfort for up to a week. Other more mild symptoms can last for an additional week or longer, depending on how long you’ve been using Kratom and the dosage you’ve been taking.
How Do You Avoid Kratom Withdrawal?
- Avoid physical dependence, use Kratom occasionally & sparingly.
- Kratom withdrawal can be avoided by using Kratom on an occasional basis, as this prevents the body from becoming dependent in the first place. Regular Kratom users may opt to take a few days ‘off’ per week, avoiding Kratom consumption on those days to help avoid dependence.
- This may not be possible if treating chronic conditions with Kratom.
- Plan to stop using Kratom by tapering your Kratom dosage off slowly.
- Many choose to gradually decrease their Kratom usage if they wish to discontinue. Start with reducing your dose slowly, .5 gram at a time for a period of time. This is the one of the best methods for avoiding Kratom withdrawal symptoms.
- Use medications, supplements and diet & exercise to ease symptoms.
- Some may find medications useful to help them ease the withdrawal symptoms. For many experiencing Kratom withdrawal, Loperamide, Over-the-counter pain relievers , Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives can be helpful. These medications can ease symptoms for who are struggling with Kratom withdrawal symptoms.
- Another thing to keep in mind, if you were using Kratom to treat a particular condition such as chronic pain, you can expect to see that symptom return since it will no longer be managed. It will be wise to treat the ailments that the Kratom was relieving as well.
- This approach can be combined with drinking lots of fluids, eating a healthy diet and keeping your mind focused on other activities.