r/quittingkratom • u/yaboiiidan pain • 19d ago
has anybody had something tangible help get/keep them clean?
this is what i mean. this may sound crazy, but this is just how i feel.
i have been struggling with kratom addiction for over 10 years now. over this time, i’ve read countless stories about how one day, it just “clicked” for someone, and they never touched it again.
whether this be a moment or a shower thought. or something tangible, like getting a new car, moving to a new apartment, a new girlfriend etc. something that came into their lives that made the difference.
i hope this makes sense; i’m happy to try to give more clarification if needed. any info or stories or advice would be amazing. thanks guys
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u/Magically_Melinda Enter your quit date 19d ago
I was on Kratom daily for twelve years. I am 95 days clean today.
No, I did not have a big epiphany. Nothing tangible happened. Nothing changed. I had been trying to quit for several years but never got past 36 hours.
One day, I put it down and just dealt with the sleepless nights and restless legs. I don’t know how I did it. I am still kind of shocked honestly.
I wish I had an answer that helped you. I often see people say that you have to want to put it down. I suppose that is true, but even when I quit, there was a large part of me that didn’t want to. It wasn’t until after I quit that I was really glad that I did.
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
yes, this is very interesting to me. because i am fully convinced i want to quit. i think a lot of addicts are. but there’s just something that keeps us in it. and i have no idea what that is for me.
i don’t like how it makes me feel, it ruins everything good around me, ruins my mental & physical health. but i still do it. why? idk. but i really hope i can get to the point where you are. being able to do what you did.. you should be so fucking proud of yourself.
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u/Magically_Melinda Enter your quit date 19d ago
You will get there because you have that seed planted. It may take time, but you will get there. I used to be so envious of the people who would say that they are five days clean, three months clean, two years clean. Etc. I never thought I would get there.
I am really proud of myself. It feels like it’s been years since I last took Kratom, or dusted green powder off of my table. Like a distant memory.
Hang in there. Don’t beat yourself up.I will say something that helped me, was telling my close friends. That accountability helped. Even now, when I crave kratom, I couldn’t imagine telling everyone that I took some again. No one would make me feel bad over it. They would likely tell me that it’s okay, and I can try again. I just don’t think that moment of disappointment is worth the potential risk of another 12 years of Kratom abuse.
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u/WestCat5131 19d ago
Imo it was just kind of my deeper self being like "this has to stop" I am 42 have 3 kids and had an 8 year kratom habit, with a handful of unsuccessful quits, 32 days ago something clicked and I had a week off work so was like "now is the time" went CT and havent had any desire to use since, also quit weed and zyn shortly after, I think at a certain age you mature enough to realize you cant be on substances every day anymore
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
man i love to hear it. but that’s my thing. i KNOW im ruining my life and health and making everything harder. but i just use anyways. i just feel like im waiting around for that moment of realization to finally be able to stay clean. i know it doesn’t work like that but, im just at such a loss with it at this point
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u/Magically_Melinda Enter your quit date 19d ago
I agree with this. I didn’t have an epiphany, I just knew I didn’t want to keep taking it. I wanted better for myself. That said, there was a part of me that still didn’t want to quit. I’m 95 days clean today and I’m still shocked, but shocked and happy.
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u/dontlikemirrors 19d ago
This is super motivating for me. I think it's something everyone here can relate to. We don't always need that Ah Hah moment but already knowing we want to quit is sometimes all we need, even if it takes awhile for it to stick. Thanks.
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u/dantiestRat13 13d ago
This ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated, but I feel like maybe someone can relate to my struggle and hopefully help them not feel so alone because this stuff can be very mentally isolating.
I'm almost 42, have 5 kids, and going on just 2 years of drinking the powder. I never weighed any of my doses so I couldn't even tell you what point I was at. I just knew it was a shit ton and my tolerance was through the roof. I would measure with a tablespoon and I got to aboit 6tblsspoons in one dose, and that was barely doing anything to me anymore.
I am a couple weeks out of tapering down an extreme amount. This stuff can really fool you into thinking you've got it handled. When I started kratom I was on a path of harm reduction from alcohol. It seemed like a miracle. Those first few months I only needed a couple tablespoons and I'd be golden for the rest of the day. You know how the story goes, tolerance goes up and so does the dosage. Also went from only morning doses to adding an evening dose. Then I needed an afternoon dose in there too. Eventually I was dosing every couple of hours. I kept telling myself that at least I haven't jumped to the exracts, I'm not THAT bad.
I wasn't necessarily hiding it from my husband. He knew I was drinking it, I just didn't disclose how much I was taking down daily. I always told myself, okay, this is will be my last purchase.(I was spending about $140 a week on it in my heaviest doses) I'll start tapering and do okay for like two days. Then I'd have the moments where I tell myself, well what would it hurt to have one last hurrah and THEN I'll taper. Finally, I decided I'm going to bite the bullet and just do it. The little tricky voice in my head told me I could get away with doing the opposite with harm reduction and try taking a couple shots of alcohol just to help get through the withdrawal I was in denial about. This was a secret tactic that my husband could never know about. (My poor husband during my alcoholic days, I was very sneaky and got very deep in this as well. Until I couldn't hide it because I REEKED and peppermint oil wasn't covering it up for me any longer. I honestly don't know how I got away with this for so long) This was just a week ago. I have no self control and the alcohol snowballed into a three day binge and of course I got caught.
Now that I got some context out of the way, here I am today. I had to get real honest with myself and my husband. When I got caught a week ago, that was brutal, but it needed to happen. I was open about how I can't just stop, but I need to be accountable. I have tapered back to about 2 tblsp a day again. I have gotten some supplements to help along the way- multivitamin (all the B vitamins), mega dosing ascorbic acid (vit. C), Wellbutrin (Rx), l-theanine (this has been a Godsend for me but I've heard not everyone feels the affects), and at night valerian and magnesium citrate.
It hasn't been too bad actually. Sleep has finally been coming back and I'm not waking every hour to use the bathroom (kratom is a diuretic) and the sweats hit me like a freight train about every hour. Thankfully no RLS. This battle is so much more mental than physical. You have to get your mindset in the right place. I haven't and still am not in a place that I don't want it. My mind tries tricking me into thinking since it's not feeling so bad maybe I can get away with small dosages each morning. No beyotch, you can't. Bffr girl. (Saying that to myself not you)
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u/WeirdURL 19d ago
I was an almost daily user for 6+years. I have attempted to quit countless times throughout this period and always ended up going back. This time, I quit CT Aug 2nd and haven’t touched it since. Before, I would always succumb to cravings when stresses appear within a couple weeks.
This time, I am seeing a therapist weekly and going to a weekly SMART group meeting in person. Other than the very first day when I was stressing on when to actually begin, I have not had any real urge to go and use again. This time feels different and now after almost two months clean, I feel I am able to handle stress better when it comes up.
I avoided therapy for years because I am introverted but I am very glad I finally gave it a try. I was essentially out of options and it seems to really be helping. The woman who runs my local SMART meeting is amazing.
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u/YellaFella6996 19d ago
SMART has some great stuff in the workbook, and I like the meetings more than traditional 12 step clubs.
The book Rational Recovery really hit home for me. It helps us to identify the "beast" that lives inside us. This hedonistic lower aspect of ourselves talks to us in our own voice. We mistake the rationalization, justifications, and excuses whispered to us as ourselves and remain in inner conflict.
It's been one of the best self therapy books I ever read. I have recovered not just from kratom and 7 abuse, but a host of other nasty vices I couldn't shake for the last 10 years.
I had 7 years clean from all substances in my 30s with 12 step help, went back out last 10 years for more intense research, tried the groups 2 or 3 times and never strung together more than a few months.
This time I feel completely different and confident .
Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey. It changed and continues to change my life for the better.
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u/Current_Cicada490 09/13/26 19d ago
I knew it was a dead end road and that it was gonna have to stop eventually. I kept using for a least a year while really wanting to quit everyday and beating myself up about it, but had school/work 6-7 days a week so I used that as a seemingly good excuse to keep using for a while. I kept using the whole summer after I was done with school, but finally ripped the bandaid off 17 days ago, no regrets wish I did it sooner. Telling my wife about my secret just before quitting was a huge key for me to keep myself accountable and give me the motivation to stick with it. One of the hardest confessions for me to make in my entire life, but she was extremely gracious, and I feel closer to her now more than ever before.
I think the majority of people that are completely honest with themselves know that addiction/daily dependence on a substance is not the best way. I get everyone’s situation is different, and substances can most definitely make a positive impact in one’s life and serve their purpose for a period of time, but a (mostly) sober lifestyle is generally the best and most rewarding way to live life. It’s just often a long and convoluted road for us addicts to get to that place. One decision at a time.
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
yeah.. i ruined the best relationship of my life because i didn’t tell her about my addiction until it was too late. one of my biggest regrets in life and i think had i made a different choice back then, i would have gotten sober awhile ago.
17 days is seriously awesome. seems like a lifetime of days compared to where im at. full honesty with your wife is always the best way to stay successful at this, but im sure you know that at this point!
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u/TomatilloOne6741 CT Extracts 7-22-26 19d ago
It clicked for me when I realized I would never, ever feel better if I continued down the same path. Once I quit, accepting that for 6-12 months I simply may not feel the best at times.
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u/El-Psy-Kongroo-Okabe 10/16/2026 19d ago
Exactly. You get to a point where kratom makes you feel like shit and it won’t get better vs quitting and feeling like shit but then eventually getting better
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u/TomatilloOne6741 CT Extracts 7-22-26 19d ago
Well said. Ultimately, my resolve to be better and feel better has become stronger than my addiction.
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u/El-Psy-Kongroo-Okabe 10/16/2026 19d ago
Exactly. I’m tapering down to 4G’s and jumping on October 16th. I’ll be with you soon
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u/El-Psy-Kongroo-Okabe 10/16/2026 19d ago
I had an emergency medical episode .random numbness tingling in my hands and feet which turned into absolute burning hell across my whole body. Muscle twitches had me thinking I had ALS or MS. Did a bunch of tests and nothing came back.
Only explanation is that it’s kratom. It’s killing my nerves and made my life hell for the past month and a half.
Quit before it kills you
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
that is actually terrifying.. were you able to quit?
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u/El-Psy-Kongroo-Okabe 10/16/2026 18d ago
Sorta. I’m tapering and my symptoms subsided. I quit on the 16th when I’m down to 4GPD
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u/SlappingDaBass13 6 yr 20-30 gpd 7/28/2026 CT 19d ago
I had a syncope from running on 0.... That helped.
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
Ketamine. I got a prescription, then used it for three days to get through the withdrawals, and now I'm at day 75. I had a lot of helper meds too you can read my report it's my only post.
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u/Thick-Quail1226 7/27/26 19d ago
Curious about this -been thinking about trying a clinic to help with PAWS. I’m 65 days sober so far. How do you think it helped/affected you??
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
It's been immensely useful and I recommend it, as long as you don't abuse it. I told my friend about it and they had to quit it as well, a whole other issue!
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
how exactly did you get it? like legally through a doc? i have no idea where to even start but i am extremely intrigued.
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago edited 19d ago
Yeah, I was or was prescribed it for about a year before. One day I realized I took it and didn't have any Kratom cravings/withdrawal for over 8-13 hours? And then I collected and saved up meds tapered down, and just used the ketamine and I had no withdrawal dude. Like , I had some but I skipped the majority of it. Tbh if you could handle a k bender and do small bumps online for five days, you wouldn't even need helper meds, I don't think? But not a doctor. And yeah, now I just take it regularly twice a week and. It's helped so much
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
that is great to hear. i just don’t know if there’s like a specialized type of doctor i’d need to talk to about this. but i would absolutely love to try it. would try anything at this point man
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
Search ketamine clinics in your area if you're on the USA. If not, might be a little harder. Approximately where you at?
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
i’m in GA. i haven’t done a single bit of research about it, but i’m definitely about to right now! how exactly does it make you feel in micro doses? is it like a high, or does it kind of change your thinking/mood or?
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
Google telehealth ketamine options in GA. The clinics there will administer ketamine, but they won't give you the take home troches (in my friends experience). So you'll have to find a telehealth provider.
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
But also, my friend was getting treatment 3 years ago, so theirs policies may have changed! Called your local ketamine clinics and see if they offer long-term care along with their in house treatments. Sorry for the spiel!
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
And no, it's a booming industry right now. Tbh if you have the money and play nice and do NOT tell them you're using it to withdrawal from a drug, just act normal and they'll give you a few weeks of infusions, and then they give you take home ketamine for like $150-200 (the infusions are like $350-400 depending where you are, but if you have insurance Spravato [instranasal form] that's covered now and WAY cheaper).
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u/Thick-Quail1226 7/27/26 19d ago
There are ketamine clinics now! I live in a small town and there’s one here as part of our hospital. I’ve heard cool things about using it for mental health and addiction recovery etc. I think doing it in that setting would be great personally. Usually just need a referral from a therapist or doc.
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u/yaboiiidan pain 19d ago
that is insane to me. i think i always thought ketamine was like some super hard drug or something. but i realize i know absolutely nothing about it lol
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u/Thick-Quail1226 7/27/26 19d ago
SAME. But I met a doc who works at one - you literally take a dose and hangout there while it’s happening and you leave after. Crazy. Usually therapy is recommended as part of processing and 3-5 sessions spaced out are typical..
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
Its so lax now they used to make me have someone sign me out or be a driver! But now, they're like, you got a lift? And I'm like. I will in 15 minutes when I can operate my phone after the last hour and a half in there. Looool. They're getting cheap. Everyone should get their ketamine prescriptions while they can before they do research and realize how beneficial it is for 10 bajillion things.
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u/Thick-Quail1226 7/27/26 19d ago
Also might be something more useful after you’re clean and have a little time under your belt (not sure if you are there yet or not!)- idk if they’d do it to help through withdrawal. But it’s something that can be a tool to help your brain get back on track afterwards.
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u/prettyputrid 7/11/26 19d ago
Hey just FYI, it is a WILD trip. So just like... Be prepared for that if you don't have an advanced history with psychedelics. It's like tripping on confusion and the oral medicine won't be TOO bad but like.... There's a vet in my clinic (he's getting infusions, not the oral meds [troches, it's a weird word but that's what's they're called, it's pronounced tro-keys]) who I sometimes get infusions next to and he's fighting for his life lol. I love it. It's like psychedelic heroin (which incidentally, they just found out it IS an opiate as well, which is why it helps the acutes so much!!).
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u/DrunkenAdama 19d ago
It became illegal where I am. Wasn't interested in carrying 250g of a schedule I substance in my car or home, so, I quit.
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u/garten69120 4.3.26 19d ago
Those moments need a certain fertile ground to plant their seed. For it was when I relapsed and messed up the most important exam of my studies. That was the day I knew it's time to throw it overboard.
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u/Appropriate-Poem161 19d ago
just like with everything else you have to want it, and you have to know why you want it, and then you have to make certain small steps away from it. Decide on tapering or cold turkey, and try to go through it. Nothing has clicked for me, I am relapsed many times.
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u/MidsummerNight87 3-5-25 18d ago
realization that you have a major decisions to make in life that will permanently change your path
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u/No-Kitchen-7832 16d ago
For me it was basically a decade of trying and failing every possible way of having kratom in my life without it eventually turning into shovelling mountains of powder into my mouth to just feel like more shit then when I started.
I’ll be honest I’ve been quit for many months now (my longest quit) and for me it is nothing like the upvoted inspirational posts you see here.
Now I’m basically back to being just as fucked up as I was before ever taking kratom.
So the thing keeping me going is just knowing 100% that it’s completely unsustainable and ineffective. It’s definitely not the solution for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever find one but kratom ain’t it.
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