Kratom Addiction: Signs & What to Expect at a Treatment Facility

What Is Kratom?

Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used for centuries, either chewed by laborers for their stimulating effects, brewed into tea for pain management, or used as folk medicine for ailments like diarrhea and cough.[1] 

Since the mid-2000s, kratom has gained popularity as a dietary supplement and is now commonly available throughout the country at smoke shops, gas stations, vape shops, and through online outlets in capsule, powder, extract, gummy, and brewed tea form.

Kratom contains two primary compounds in its leaves believed to interact with the mu-opioid receptor sites of the brain: mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.[2] At lower doses, the effects of kratom are similar to those of stimulants — increased energy and alertness. At higher doses, they interact with the mu-opioid receptor sites similarly to synthetic opioids, creating a sense of euphoria along with significant pain relief and sedation.[3] Because of its dose-dependent nature, increasing kratom dosage may also increase opioid-like effects and the risk of dependence.[4]

Kratom is not approved for any medical use by the FDA, and although some states and municipalities have restricted or banned its sale, kratom is not currently scheduled as a controlled substance under federal law.[5] Due to this lack of regulation, kratom products vary greatly in potency, purity, and content — some containing contaminants such as lead and other metals and substances.

 

Kratom Addiction and Abuse

Is kratom addictive? Yes. Due to kratom’s ability to stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain, kratom is capable of producing physical dependency. The body becomes accustomed to its presence and exhibits withdrawal symptoms when use stops. There is no exact timeline for developing a physical dependency; however, studies and clinical data indicate that it can develop within the first 2 to 6 weeks of daily use.[6] Quitting kratom is much more difficult than expected, especially for those who have been using kratom for months or years, consuming large amounts daily, or using kratom to manage an underlying medical condition.

In many instances, a kratom addiction happens unintentionally. Kratom is frequently promoted as a safer alternative to prescription opioids, a sleep aid, an anxiety remedy, or a natural way to manage chronic pain. People who have had previous struggles with opioid dependency will often use kratom as an alternative to stronger opioids, only to find themselves dependent on it instead. Others may begin using kratom through wellness or nootropics communities and slowly increase use over time. Regardless of how it happens, the ultimate outcome is the same — compulsive behavior related to kratom use, withdrawal symptoms between doses, and an inability to quit without professional help.

Co-occurring mental health conditions are common among people with kratom use disorder. Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and unresolved trauma all show up frequently — and in many cases, the conditions are exactly what drove kratom use in the first place.[7] Effective treatment addresses the substance use and the underlying conditions together.

 

Kratom Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Many people who take kratom do so without realizing they have a serious drug dependency. This is largely because kratom is both legal and easy to get. Recognizing the signs of kratom addiction is the first step to getting help.

The most common kratom addiction signs include:

Behavioral signs

• Taking larger amounts of kratom or taking it more often than initially planned
• Dosing repeatedly throughout the day to maintain the desired effect
• Hiding kratom use from others
• Ongoing financial difficulties
• Neglect of personal and professional responsibilities
• Failed attempts to reduce or stop kratom use

Physiological signs

• Sedated or lethargic effects at higher kratom dosage levels
• Restlessness
• Sweating
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Pinpoint pupils

Psychological signs

• Mood swings
• Depression or anxiety when kratom is not available
• Becoming defensive when kratom use is questioned by others
• Increasing dependence on kratom to regulate emotions or complete daily tasks

Functional signs:

• A decline in work or academic performance
• Social isolation, avoiding friends and family
• Continued kratom use despite negative consequences
• Repeated promises to quit followed by relapse

If you or a loved one is showing these signs, it is recommended to seek professional clinical help — especially since kratom withdrawal, while rarely medically threatening, can be far more severe and longer-lasting than most users expect.

Quitting Kratom and Withdrawal

The physical and emotional discomfort associated with kratom withdrawal is very similar to opioid withdrawal, and can include:

• Muscle and bone pain
• Sweating
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Restless legs
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Intense cravings 

Symptoms typically show up 12 to 24 hours after the last use, peak within 72 hours, and then decrease in severity over the next two weeks, though many people also report experiencing Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWS) symptoms, including mood disruptions and sleep disturbances lasting months after discontinuation of the drug.[8]

Although kratom withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, it is a physically uncomfortable condition, and quitting kratom alone is much more difficult than many people assume. Many relapse just to alleviate the discomfort. 

Forward Motion Health is not a detox facility, but if we determine that detoxification is medically necessary for you, our admissions department can coordinate detox placements with our trusted and accredited partners. Once a patient completes detox, he can then be smoothly transitioned back into our residential program, if inpatient treatment is deemed necessary for successful recovery. 

Kratom Addiction Treatment Options

Effective treatment options for kratom addiction require a multidisciplinary approach that may necessitate residential treatment. 

If inpatient care is the right step for you, Forward Motion Health offers a residential program within our facility that provides immersive individualized treatment plans, 24-hour clinical care, and a supportive environment free of outside triggers and distractions.

Many people in kratom addiction treatment are surprised by how much underlying material surfaces once the substance is out of the picture. The conditions kratom was masking — chronic pain, anxiety, depression, trauma — typically need real treatment of their own. Our comprehensive integrated dual diagnosis approach is built to address all of it together.