How to Quit Kratom Safely

Quitting kratom starts with a decision about how to stop. Some people cut back gradually and some stop all at once, and a licensed doctor can help you choose. What helps most is knowing what to expect, having support, and knowing when to get medical care.

Tapering vs cold turkey

Stopping regular kratom use may cause mild to moderate withdrawal, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. For a full list of kratom withdrawal symptoms and how long they last, see our withdrawal guide.

Cold turkey means stopping all at once. Higher amounts and longer use can make the withdrawal that follows last longer and feel worse.

Tapering means cutting back over time. Some people prefer it, but there's little research on tapering kratom, and no schedule has been tested. How fast to go depends on how much you use and your health.

Either way, the risks are similar:

• Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea

• Relapse when symptoms get hard

• Mixing substances to cope, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, which adds sedation and breathing risks

Making a plan with a clinician

A licensed doctor can help you choose an approach and plan for symptoms. A 2019 review advises doctors to treat kratom withdrawal much like opioid withdrawal. Before your visit, write down:

• What you use (leaf powder, capsules, extracts or 7-OH products)

• How much, how often and for how long

• Any alcohol, other drugs or prescription medicines you take

• Health conditions, especially liver, heart or mental health conditions

• How past attempts to stop went

No medicine is FDA-approved for kratom withdrawal. A doctor may suggest medicines for specific symptoms, or refer you to someone who treats opioid use disorder. Learn more about medications for kratom withdrawal.

Is it worth a morning off and a clinic bill just to ask where to start? Ask Doctronic first. Doctronic doesn't treat addiction or run detox. Its medical AI chat is free, and a video visit with a licensed doctor is $39. The doctor can help with your symptoms and refer you to addiction care. Get support for kratom withdrawal.

Managing symptoms at home

If a doctor agrees you can quit at home, these steps can make it easier:

1. Drink fluids often. Vomiting and diarrhea can dehydrate you quickly. Small sips help if you feel sick.

2. Clear your schedule. Plan a few quiet days if you can, and rest as much as you need.

3. Eat simple foods. Small, plain meals are easier on an upset stomach.

4. Tell someone you trust. Ask them to check on you and help you get care if you need it.

5. Remove your supply. It's harder to slip back when kratom isn't in the house.

6. Ask before taking any medicine. Check with a doctor or pharmacist first, including over-the-counter sleep aids.

Sleep and anxiety are often the hardest parts. Read about insomnia and anxiety during withdrawal.

When medical detox makes sense

Medical detox means withdrawing with medical care, in a hospital, a detox center or an outpatient program. Talk to a doctor about it if:

• You use large amounts or concentrated 7-OH products

• Past withdrawal was severe, or you couldn't get through it

• You also use alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids

• You're pregnant

• You have heart, liver or mental health conditions

• You can't keep fluids down

Call 911 for trouble breathing, a seizure, chest pain or fainting. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

To find detox or addiction treatment near you, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (TTY 1-800-487-4889). It's free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals, not counseling.

Staying off kratom

The first days are only part of quitting. These can help you stay stopped:

• Keep in touch with a doctor. Follow-up visits help you catch problems early.

• Treat the reason you started. If you used kratom for pain, low mood, anxiety or opioid withdrawal, get care for that.

• Find support. Counseling and support groups help many people. SAMHSA's helpline can point you to groups near you.

• Plan for hard moments. Know who you'll call and what you'll do when you want to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a doctor give me a kratom taper schedule?

Yes, a licensed doctor can help you plan how to cut back. It will be based on how much you use, how long you've used and your health, since no single schedule fits everyone.

Can I use kratom to quit opioids?

No. Kratom isn't FDA-approved for opioid withdrawal, and using it this way can lead to kratom dependence. FDA-approved treatments for opioid use disorder are buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.

Can I get help without going to rehab?

Yes. Detox and addiction care can be outpatient, so you don't always need to stay in a facility. A doctor can help you decide what level of care you need.

Is quitting harder if I use 7-OH products?

Often, yes. 7-OH products are concentrated, and the FDA says 7-OH causes dependence and withdrawal like classic opioids. Withdrawal from them can last longer, so get medical advice before you stop.

The Bottom Line

Quitting kratom is safest with a plan and support. Talk to a licensed doctor about tapering or stopping, and keep fluids up through withdrawal. If you also use alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, or past withdrawal was severe, ask a doctor whether you need medical detox.