Kratom, often marketed as a “natural” or legal herbal supplement, has gained popularity in recent years among people looking for pain relief, energy boosts, or an alternative to opioids. But beneath its plant-based image, kratom can be highly addictive. For some, quitting leads to physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms that require real support.
Kratom withdrawal can resemble opioid withdrawal. This is especially true of more potent alkaloids in kratom like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which bind to the same receptors in the brain that heroin and oxycodone affect. People may not expect how intense it can feel to stop taking something they bought at a gas station, smoke shop, or online. But for those who’ve developed a physical dependence, quitting kratom can be uncomfortable—and sometimes unsafe without the right structure.
Symptoms of kratom withdrawal include anxiety, muscle aches, chills, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms can emerge within 12 hours of the last dose and often peak within the first few days. Though not typically life-threatening, withdrawal can be distressing enough to lead to relapse.
At Solace Home Detox, we provide private, physician-directed support for individuals detoxing from kratom in their own homes. A trained professional remains on-site 24/7 to help manage symptoms and monitor well-being. The treating physician determines whether medications may be appropriate to reduce discomfort and ease the process.
Many clients we support didn’t realize kratom could create a dependency. Some are young professionals or parents who began taking it for focus or anxiety, and then found themselves unable to stop. Others used it to taper off other opioids and became stuck in the cycle of using kratom daily just to feel “normal.”
The good news is that kratom withdrawal, while real, is temporary. Most clients feel significantly better within a week. With structure, rest, and skilled support, recovery is not only possible—it becomes the beginning of a more grounded way forward.