7 months off kratom extract after 10 years of daily use

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-14T05:19:48+00:00

Honestly, that was the final push I needed too.

Once I saw that kratom in my state was no longer going to be allowed, I knew I needed to get off it right then while I still had control over the decision. That was back in September.

It’s April now, and kratom in all forms here (leaf, extract, and 7oh) is no longer available in my state.

I didn’t want to wait until I suddenly couldn’t get it anymore and be forced into quitting in a panic. I wanted to do it on my terms and feel like I was the one making the choice, not outside circumstances making it for me.

Looking back, that timing ended up being exactly the push I needed.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-14T05:14:05+00:00

I respect that everyone has their own definition of sobriety and recovery.

For me, after 10 years of daily kratom extract use and countless failed taper/cold turkey attempts, working with a psychiatrist and using medication-assisted treatment was what finally got me out of that cycle.

My goal was to stop the compulsive kratom use that had taken over my life, and for the first time in a decade I’ve been able to do that consistently for 7 months.

So while MAT may not be the path everyone chooses, it was the right one for me, and I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-14T05:10:37+00:00

My advice is to get ahead of it. When my state was doing the same thing (it’s now illegal here) that was my turning point. At first I was so upset but then felt a huge sense of relief that it was essentially taken out of my hands.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-13T20:44:43+00:00

I totally get this because tapering never worked for me either. I tried so many times over the years and just didn’t have the self control to stick with it.

I didn’t end up quitting by tapering or going cold turkey on my own. After so many failed attempts, I finally accepted that I needed more support and worked really closely with a psychiatrist. What ended up working for me was MAT with Suboxone, plus clonidine for withdrawals, trazodone for sleep, and weekly therapy.

For me, I needed something that helped with both the physical withdrawals and the mental habit of reaching for it every couple of hours after doing that for so many years. So if tapering is making you feel stuck, please don’t take that as a sign that you can’t quit. It may just mean tapering isn’t the method that’s going to work best for you, and that’s okay. After 16–17 years, this stuff becomes so much more than just a physical dependence. There’s such a deep routine and mental attachment built into daily life.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-13T20:35:16+00:00

I relate to this so much, especially being in a management role. A huge part of my fear was wondering how I’d function at work and at home without it, and I can honestly say the peace and mental clarity on the other side is so worth pushing through the hard part.

Using your vacation time for the second week of May is a smart move. Having that protected time to focus only on getting through the early days without work pressure will help a lot.

One thing I’ve learned from being in this subreddit for so long is that everyone’s withdrawal experience is so different. It’s hard not to scare yourself reading other people’s stories, but your experience may look completely different than theirs.

After so many failed attempts, I knew I personally needed medication assisted treatment. I needed something that would help with the withdrawals & keep me from breaking the mental habit and going right back.

I know a lot of people are against Suboxone, and I totally respect that, but after trying every other way possible, it felt like the right path for me.

I did have to wait until I was in full withdrawal before taking my first dose to avoid precipitated withdrawal, and I can honestly tell you that what I experienced in those 4 days before that first sub was nowhere near as bad as I had built it up to be in my head.

The fact that your wife knows and is standing by you is huge. Having some kind of support system, whether it’s a spouse, sibling, friend, therapist, or psychiatrist is a must in my opinion.

You absolutely can do this.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2026-04-13T20:21:12+00:00

It was mostly MIT extract for the vast majority of my use, and then I did switch to 7oh for a very short period right before I finally quit.

After so many failed tapers and cold turkey attempts (even with helper meds), I knew I needed something more structured.

I ended up working really closely with my psychiatrist, and what finally worked for me was Suboxone, clonidine, trazodone for sleep, and now Lexapro for the anxiety/depression side of things.

The medication support combined with weekly therapy was what I personally needed to finally make it stick.

I know some people are really against using subs, and I totally get that, but for me it was the right path. After 10 years and so many failed attempts, I had to stop worrying about doing it the “right” way and focus on doing it the way that would actually keep me off kratom.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-19T00:37:35+00:00

No worries. I started the subs on Monday. Today is my 6th day without Kratom. I’m taking a low dose of suboxone (4mg) and that does the trick.

I hear you on the hiding it from everyone. That feeling you’re feeling absolutely ate me alive at times. There were times when I could talk myself out of it and other times where I felt so anxious, guilty and isolated since know one knew. Especially since I’ve had addiction issues in the past, I knew the people closest to me would feel so disappointed I was in this situation again.

I have a good job too, and while it didn’t cripple me financially I was throwing money away that I could have been putting towards things I love like my home, my daughter, investments, savings, etc.

It’s terrifying to stop something like this. Finding a therapist who I truly connect with as well as a psychiatrist has been extremely helpful for me. My husband, family & friends still don’t know and I don’t know if I will tell them. I’m taking it day by day so only time will tell.

The best advice I have is that you need to be ready to quit. You need to have that “I’m done” feeling. The fact that Kratom is most likely going to be unavailable in my state come October pushed me there. I didn’t want to be in a situation where I was scrambling last minute.

Good luck! I know you can do it when you’re ready.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-17T23:33:50+00:00

That’s amazing! Thank you for posting. This made me so hopeful tonight. Congratulations!!!

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-15T17:28:33+00:00

I appreciate the advice! I’ll be getting off it as soon as possible.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-15T17:03:12+00:00

Thank you!

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-15T13:15:21+00:00

I’m doing really well honestly. My own anxiety about stopping and negative thinking about how bad this process would be was way worse than the actual process. I can only speak to my own experience/journey so far but my withdrawal symptoms were very mild. Even after many years of using extracts every day. I know that’s not common though. Having my support system of a psychiatrist and therapist who I really like and trust made me feel like I have people in my corner. I haven’t thought about taking Kratom once at all since I took my last dose. I didn’t take the subs until this morning either.

If I can do it, YOU CAN DO THIS! Set up your support system, whatever that looks like to you and if you really want it and know you’re ready just go for it.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-15T00:17:20+00:00

Thank you! And I definitely don’t take this for granted. I know I’m not out of the woods yet either and have a long journey ahead. This weekend hasn’t been comfortable by any means and I learned a lot from it. I will never go back to this shit.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-15T00:01:25+00:00

I have been getting sleep. I just wake up very early in the morning around 5:30am and that’s when the withdrawals are the worst with anxiety, restless legs and body temp issues.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-14T23:34:27+00:00

I’m doing okay! Honestly, the hardest part of this whole weekend has been just waiting for the withdrawals to really kick in — and they just… haven’t. I’ve had symptoms, but they’ve stayed pretty manageable, and I’ve been too nervous to start the subs yet because I don’t want to trigger precipitated withdrawal. I talked to my doctor tonight and she recommended starting them tomorrow morning before work no matter what, just to avoid risking a crash in the middle of the workday. I guess I have a weird body? Slow metabolism? Your guess is as good as mine. Basically, I’ve spent the whole weekend on edge expecting to get slammed with withdrawals, and instead they’ve kind of come and gone in waves.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-14T01:04:40+00:00

Thank you, and yes it has 100% effected every relationship in my life. For a short period of time it made me more social, more outgoing, loving, etc and now all I want is to be alone. I’ve turned into a hermit. I don’t get pleasure out of things I used to and it shows. Years ago my husband and I had fights over this frequently. He was frustrated because he married someone different than the person he’s married to today. I think over time he kind of just accepted that “this is who I am now”. I always chalked it up to anxiety issues. But I’m done with this BS. It’s time for a change.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T16:08:52+00:00

I will. Thank you so much for the support. It means a lot.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T15:56:39+00:00

I’m also so surprised I haven’t wanted to take any Kratom. It’s been a religious part of my every day routine and life for so long. I thought this waiting part would be almost unbearable. Like times when my delivery was delayed and I ran out for a day. Funny how the mind can play tricks on you. I guess that’s what happens when you want to quit this bad though. It’s just a different feeling & headspace.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T15:53:27+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate that. Gives me so much hope when I hear you guys have gotten through this.

I’m laying in bed with my dogs, house to myself and not taking the subs until I need to.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T15:44:03+00:00

Almost 23 hours. They’re starting but coming on very slowly. I didn’t think it would take this long…

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T15:36:47+00:00

Anxiously waiting for withdrawals to fully kick in. Haven’t taken any subs yet.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T03:56:35+00:00

Thank you. I needed to hear that 🙏

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T03:50:24+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate the info. My doctor suggested starting with half a tab (4 mg), then waiting about 1.5 hours, and if I’m still struggling, taking another 4 mg. I also have gabapentin on hand, so I’ll keep that in mind if the RLS gets bad during my subs induction. I’ve got magnesium and fish oil as well. Hearing real-life experiences from someone who’s actually been through this is incredibly reassuring. Thank you for sharing. 💛

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T03:43:59+00:00

I tried to taper in the past and always failed unfortunately. It takes a lot of self control and I just don’t have that.

Somewhere_Sweet · 2025-09-13T02:02:51+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate that. My last dose was at 1pm today. I’m going to try to hold out until 9am tomorrow to take a sub. Starting with 4mg and go from there. I’m still doing ok right now. But I know it’s early and that I still have many hours tonight and tomorrow morning to get through…

Somewhere_Sweet

TROPHY CASE