As kratom products gain popularity, an increasing number of individuals are reporting mild to moderate drug addictions.
Kratom leaves are obtained from a tropical tree—Mitragyna speciosa—that grows abundantly in Southeast Asia. These leaves contain psychoactive properties, meaning that kratom is a substance capable of altering the mind.
While the opioid epidemic has received widespread attention, kratom addiction, or kratom use disorder, is also a growing concern. The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory in 2017 due to risks associated with kratom use. Kratom’s abuse potential, dependence, and addiction can be worrisome [1, 2].
Many people struggle to quit kratom once they’ve become dependent on it. However, treatment is available to help overcome dependence and addiction to kratom. Read on to learn more about the risks of this new drug and how to get help with kratom addiction.
If you find you can’t quit kratom by yourself, treatment facilities like our California drug rehab are here to help.
How Addictive Is Kratom?
Kratom can be mildly to moderately addictive, especially when used frequently or in high doses over time. Research suggests that kratom’s addictive potential is lower than that of traditional opioids but not negligible, especially for individuals using it to self-medicate or manage pain. The risk increases with long-term use and with concentrated forms.
While some users report mild or manageable dependence, others experience symptoms similar to opioid dependence, such as cravings, irritability, muscle aches, insomnia, and anxiety when stopping use. Because kratom acts on opioid receptors in the brain, it can lead to physical and psychological addiction in some users.
While kratom remains legal at the federal level in the U.S., some states and local governments have already banned or restricted its use due to dependency issues [6]. The DEA has called it a “drug of concern” in the US [4]. There is a lot of dangerous misinformation surrounding the drug, leading to many people becoming unintentionally hooked on it.
Although often marketed as a natural or safe remedy for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal, growing clinical evidence suggests kratom carries a risk of dependence, adverse health effects, and misuse. For some, kratom ends up functioning as a replacement addictive substance rather than a solution, leading to new patterns of dependence and the eventual question of how to stop taking it.
Why Is Kratom Addictive?
Kratom is addictive because it contains active compounds (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) that bind to the opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are the same ones affected by drugs like morphine and heroin, which regulate pain, mood, and feelings of pleasure.
When taken regularly or in high doses, kratom can:
Mimic opioid-like effects, such as euphoria and sedation.
Trigger dopamine release, reinforcing repeated use.
Cause physical dependence, where the body adapts to the drug and withdrawal occurs when it’s stopped
Lead to psychological cravings, especially in those self-medicating for pain, anxiety, or depression.
Over time, this interaction with brain chemistry can make users reliant on kratom to feel “normal,” leading to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms, which are all hallmarks of addiction.
How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Kratom?
There’s no exact timeline for how long it takes to get addicted to kratom, as it depends on several individual factors. However, addiction can develop in as little as a few weeks with frequent or high-dose use.
Factors that influence how quickly addiction may develop include:
Dosage and frequency: Using kratom multiple times a day or in large amounts increases risk.
Potency of product: Stronger strains or extracts (especially concentrates) raise dependence potential.
Individual biology: People with a history of substance use or mental health conditions may become dependent faster.
Reason for use: Using kratom to self-medicate for pain, anxiety, or withdrawal increases psychological dependence.
Some users report developing tolerance and mild withdrawal symptoms within 1–2 weeks of daily use. Others may not feel addicted for months but still develop physical dependence over time.
How to Quit Kratom Addiction
If you’ve become dependent on kratom, you’re not alone—and quitting can be challenging. The process often comes with uncomfortable symptoms such as mood changes (including depression, anxiety, restlessness, and irritability), muscle and joint pain, a runny nose, insomnia, diarrhea, decreased appetite, tremors, itching, chills, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can make quitting feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it is possible to break free.
Here are some helpful steps to begin your recovery:
Seek professional help: Start by consulting a healthcare provider or addiction specialist. They can guide you through a safe tapering process, provide personalized care, and may recommend medication-assisted treatment if needed to manage symptoms.
Set a quit date: Choose a specific date to stop using kratom. This gives you a target to work toward and helps you mentally prepare.
Create a support system: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, or peers. Consider joining a support group specifically for kratom or substance use recovery.
Gradually taper off: Reducing your dosage slowly can help minimize uncomfortable symptoms and make the process more manageable than quitting cold turkey.
Develop healthy coping mechanisms: Replace kratom use with healthy outlets for stress—like movement, creativity, mindfulness, or social connection.
Stay accountable and motivated: Track your progress in a journal or app, remind yourself of why you want to quit, and celebrate small milestones.
Quitting any substance is not easy. Getting treatment from an addiction counselor or recovery program can help you stop using kratom safely. Finding the support you need for quitting kratom may be the difference in you being able to put down the drug for good.
Kratom Addiction FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions people ask about kratom and kratom addiction:
Can you get addicted to kratom?
Yes. Kratom can be addictive, but the level of addiction varies among individuals. Some people may develop a dependence on kratom. Regular and prolonged use increases the risk of addiction.
Does kratom affect dopamine or serotonin?
Yes, kratom affects both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to addiction.
Can kratom make you feel depressed?
While kratom is often used for its mood-enhancing properties, excessive use can lead to problems, including depressive symptoms. That said, individual responses may vary, and some people may experience mood improvement with kratom use.
Who can help me figure out how to get off kratom?
A healthcare professional can help you figure out how to safely and effectively learn how to taper off kratom. They can provide guidance, support, and possibly medication-assisted treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms and aid in recovery.
Kratom Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery
At Renaissance Recovery, we are committed to tackling the urgent challenge of kratom addiction. Our specialized outpatient treatment programs are designed to support you in achieving long-term recovery.
Discover the tailored support and comprehensive structure that suits your needs by exploring our range of outpatient treatment options. At Renaissance, we believe in a holistic and evidence-based approach to addiction treatment.
All addictions are different, so all our treatment programs offer personalized therapies like
Medication-assisted treatment
Family therapy
Group therapy
Talk therapy
One-to-one counseling
Holistic treatment
Aftercare
If you are looking for kratom addiction help, reach out to our admissions team at 866-330-9449. We can help you embark on your journey to a healthier, happier future.
Sources
[1] https://www.jwatch.org/fw113538/2017/11/15/fda-warns-against-use-kratom
[2] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32722734/
[4] https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Kratom-Drug-Fact-Sheet.pdf
[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/psychiatric-clinics-of-north-america/vol/45/issue/3?utm_source=chatgpt.com
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32722734/
