Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms Day by Day | Nashville Addiction Clinic
If you or someone you love is quitting kratom, you want to know what to expect — kratom withdrawal symptoms day by day can feel intense, scary, and unpredictable. At Nashville Addiction Clinic, we believe in giving you clear information and a safe path forward. We treat people aged 18 to 65 with compassion, experience, and respect — whether they live in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, or Jackson, Tennessee.
Below, you’ll see a realistic day-by-day guide to kratom withdrawal, what makes it worse, and how to get professional help that avoids unnecessary suffering, especially if you’ve already struggled with opioid dependence.
What Is Kratom & Why Withdrawal Happens
Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia whose active ingredients include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). (DEA)
These compounds act on opioid receptors in your brain—similar to prescription pain pills or heroin. (dig.pharmacy.uic.edu) Because of that, long-term or high-dose use of kratom can lead to kratom dependence and a withdrawal syndrome that resembles opioid withdrawal. (PMC)
Even though many people believe kratom is “safer” or “natural,” the FDA warns that kratom products are not approved for treating opioid addiction, and may carry risks of addiction, contamination, or misuse. In fact, the FDA has sent warning letters to companies marketing kratom as a treatment for withdrawal. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Why “Day-by-Day” Withdrawal Info Matters
When you search for kratom withdrawal symptoms day by day, you’re trying to predict what happens hour to hour, day to day. That helps reduce fear, plan ahead, and know when you truly need medical care. Every body is different, but having a reference timeline helps you feel less alone.
Below is a generalized kratom withdrawal timeline. Use it to guide—but never replace—medical supervision.
Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms Day by Day
Note: This is a general guide. Your experience might differ depending on dose, how long you used, physical health, co-occurring disorders, and whether you used other substances (including opioids or benzodiazepines).
Day 0 to 6–12 Hours (Early / Prodromal Phase)
- Cravings begin
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Mild sweating, chills
- Runny nose, tearing (like a mild flu)
- Yawning, lethargy
- Minor muscle aches or stomach discomfort
At this stage, symptoms are usually mild — and many people relapse just to avoid going further.
Day 1–2 (Onset / Acute Phase Begins)
- More intense muscle and bone pain
- Nausea, stomach cramping, possibly vomiting or diarrhea
- Headaches, light sensitivity
- Shaking or tremor
- Insomnia or disrupted sleep
- Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression
Some begin to feel like they “have the flu.” This is when kratom detox symptoms peak for many.
Day 2–4 (Peak Acute Withdrawal)
- Most intense physical symptoms
- Sweating, chills alternate
- Heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure
- Strong kratom craving
- Severe gastrointestinal distress
- Emotional symptoms: panic, fear, tearfulness
- Fatigue, weakness
This is often the hardest period.
Day 4–7 (Decline of Acute Symptoms / Subacute Phase)
- Physical symptoms gradually recede: less pain, less GI upset
- Continued fatigue
- Sleep might still be disrupted
- Psychological symptoms often persist or intensify: anxiety, depression
- Cravings remain
- Trouble focusing, irritability
This is still risky — relapse often happens during this period.
Days 7–10 and Beyond (Post-Acute / PAWS Phase)
- Most physical symptoms are gone
- Lingering psychological effects:
- Depression, mood swings, brain fog
- Sleep abnormalities
- Occasional cravings
- Low energy, fatigue
- Anxiety or panic episodes
- Depression, mood swings, brain fog
This is part of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). For some, these effects last weeks or even months.
Weeks to Months (Recovery / Healing Phase)
- Psychological healing continues
- Cravings fade (but may still flare)
- You might have occasional triggers, emotional distress
- You may benefit from counseling, behavioral therapy, healthy habits
Factors That Alter the Timeline
Your experience could be much shorter or longer depending on:
- Dosage & frequency (higher dose → worse withdrawal)
- Duration of use (months or years → longer timeline)
- Polydrug use (if you also used opioids, benzodiazepines, etc.)
- Underlying mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
- Physical health, nutrition, sleep, stress
Why Kratom Withdrawal & Opioid Withdrawal Are Interlinked
Because kratom acts on opioid receptors, the withdrawal can closely resemble opioid withdrawal. (PMC)
Many people who try kratom to avoid opioid withdrawal just trade one dependence for another.
For patients who already have an opioid use history, a careful transition to buprenorphine / Suboxone (with medical supervision) may alleviate both kratom and opioid withdrawal symptoms more safely. However, because clinical trials on kratom withdrawal are limited, experts urge caution when using opioid medications to treat it. (dig.pharmacy.uic.edu)
How Nashville Addiction Clinic Can Help
If you’re reading this from Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Franklin, Bristol, or Cookeville, know that you never have to travel to a clinic—we bring care to you.
- Register for Suboxone Telemedicine using TennCare Medicaid
- Register for virtual Suboxone treatment using commercial insurance
- Register for online Suboxone therapy as a self-pay patient
- Register as a returning patient
- Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
- Kratom and 7-OH Addiction Explained
- View insurance we accept and self-pay pricing
- See how Suboxone Telemedicine Appointments Work
- Read our 260+ five-star reviews on Google
- Message us securely on the Spruce Health mobile app
- Meet Our Team
- We accept most commercial/employee health plans, such as BCBS, Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare, as well as all TennCare Medicaid insurance: Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care.
- Experience a safe transition from hydrocodone, oxycodone/OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, Kratom, 7-OH (7-Hydroxy-opioids), Tramadol, Opana, codeine, oxymorphone, Tramadol, Percocet, and other opioids.
- Read about our Joint Commission accreditation
- Learn about Nashville Addiction Clinic’s 2025 Best of Tennessee award
What makes us different:
- We were the first clinic in Tennessee to receive a virtual medical license for treating addiction via telemedicine
- Over 250 five-star Google reviews attest to our respectful, empathetic care
- Accredited by The Joint Commission, giving you confidence in our standards
- Our staff includes master’s-level counselors and clinicians who truly understand addiction
- The clinic has been operating for 6+ years and has treated 1000+ Tennesseans
- The owners are in active recovery themselves—they founded the clinic to build what they never got: kindness, dignity, and real help
What you can expect when you enroll:
- Same-day prescription of Suboxone / buprenorphine
- Your prescription can go to your local pharmacy or be delivered overnight
- You never need to show up at a clinic — all care is virtual
- You’ll receive counseling, psychiatric support, and a full care team
- Your plan includes telemedicine-based medication-assisted treatment (TeleMAT) — the acronym we coined and helped popularize
- If needed, we’ll help you with sliding-scale pricing or use your TennCare Medicaid or commercial insurance
You can register via:
- Commercial health insurance
- TennCare Medicaid
- Self-pay
- See insurance/pricing
- Want to meet the team?
- Check patient feedback
- If cost is a barrier
- You’re already a patient?
Need help now? Call or text (615) 927-7802, or message us securely via the Spruce Health mobile app.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What is the kratom withdrawal timeline for most people?
A: For many, the acute phase lasts 4–7 days, with lingering psychological symptoms (PAWS) continuing for weeks or months. (The Summit Wellness Group)
Q: Can kratom withdrawal cause overdose or death?
A: Kratom alone rarely causes respiratory depression like classical opioids, but combined with other depressants or in potent formulations, risk increases. There have been reports of severe adverse effects, seizures, liver injury, and death with kratom use. (Wikipedia) Also note: opioid relapse carries real risk of overdose and death — treating opioid cravings safely is critical.
Q: Can Suboxone / buprenorphine be used for kratom withdrawal?
A: Some case reports show buprenorphine or buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) alleviating withdrawal from kratom, especially for those with opioid history. (dig.pharmacy.uic.edu) But because research is limited, such treatments should be tailored and supervised.
Q: Will I have to come into a clinic?
A: No — at Nashville Addiction Clinic, you never need to step foot in a physical clinic. Every part of your treatment (assessment, prescriptions, counseling) is virtual through TeleMAT.
Q: Can people with Medicaid (TennCare) access this care?
A: Yes. We accept TennCare for Suboxone telemedicine appointments.
Q: How fast can I start treatment?
A: Often, same-day. After your initial virtual appointment, we can prescribe Suboxone and send it to your local pharmacy or deliver it overnight.
Q: What if I relapse during withdrawal?
A: It’s common and not a failure. Our clinicians design relapse prevention strategies, provide counseling, and adjust your care plan to support you through setbacks.
Why Treatment Is Safer Than Withdrawing Alone
- Medical support dramatically reduces risk, discomfort, and relapse
- Suboxone virtually eliminates opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings when used correctly
- Counseling helps resolve the triggers, emotional pain, and mental health issues underneath your substance use
- A care team gives accountability, monitoring, and compassion
- Especially for men and women aged 18–45 (but even up to 65), the difference can be life or death
Opioid addiction is serious. Overdose or death is a real possibility — especially during relapse. SAMHSA, the FDA, and DEA all emphasize that addiction treatment must be evidence-based and medically guided.
Take the Next Step
You don’t have to face kratom withdrawal symptoms day by day alone. You deserve care that understands your life, your struggles, your fear. Whether you’re in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, or Bristol — we’re ready to walk with you.
Call or text (615) 927-7802, message us securely on the Spruce health app, or pick the appropriate registration link above to get started today.
Related Articles
- Understanding the Kratom Withdrawal Timeline: What Tennessee Residents Need to Know
- Kratom Withdrawal: Safe, Virtual Recovery Options in Tennessee
- I Need a Suboxone Doctor Now | Virtual Addiction Treatment TN
External Resources
- DEA.gov – Opioid addiction-related articles
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC.gov
- National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
- Locate a Peer Recovery Support Specialist
- Tennessee Department of Health Drug Overdose Dashboard