Table 2.
Withdrawal-like symptoms among those with any regular kratom use (>4 days of use per week) history (N=104)a
| When kratom was stopped for one day or longer…. | Current KUD (N=38) | Remitted± KUD (N=23) | Never KUD (N=68) | Total (N=129) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||||||
| % | M ± SD | % | M ± SD | % | M ± SD | % | M ± SD | |
|
| ||||||||
| Anxiety | 50.0 | 73.1 ± 19.5 | 43.5 | 70.9 ± 16.8 | 19.1 | 42.8 ± 23.7 | 32.6 | 63.2 ± 24.2 |
| Irritability | 55.3 | 74.1 ± 18.5 | 34.8 | 76.6 ± 13.1 | 19.1 | 38.4 ± 23.5 | 32.6 | 63.5 ± 25.5 |
| Desire to use another substance | 52.6 | 75.3 ± 22 | 26.1 | 73 ± 17.6 | 16.2 | 48.8 ± 32.3 | 28.7 | 67.1 ± 27.1 |
| Low energy | 50.0 | 82.6 ± 18.6 | 26.1 | 71.3 ± 27.5 | 17.6 | 46 ± 28 | 28.7 | 68.9 ± 28.2 |
| Difficulty Sleeping | 42.1 | 71.8 ± 24.2 | 26.1 | 82.5 ± 20 | 10.3 | 73.1 ± 19 | 22.5 | 74.3 ± 21.9 |
| Restlessness | 44.7 | 58.8 ± 24.3 | 21.7 | 65 ± 19.2 | 10.3 | 43.9 ± 36.9 | 22.5 | 56.2 ± 27.1 |
| Nausea | 36.8 | 52.5 ± 24 | 34.8 | 48.1 ± 25.3 | 8.8 | 32.8 ± 27.1 | 21.7 | 47.0 ± 25.3 |
| Body aches | 44.7 | 68.4 ± 27.3 | 21.7 | 51.2 ± 18.4 | 8.8 | 57.8 ± 29 | 21.7 | 63.1 ± 26.4 |
| No energy | 36.8 | 88.4 ± 10.5 | 26.1 | 69.3 ± 28.3 | 10.3 | 55 ± 22.3 | 20.9 | 75.5 ± 23.1 |
| Upset stomach | 36.8 | 58.9 ± 25.5 | 21.7 | 56.8 ± 10.1 | 10.3 | 34.9 ± 28.5 | 20.2 | 52.0 ± 25.8 |
| Depressed mood | 39.5 | 75.5 ± 19.3 | 17.4 | 69 ± 34.9 | 10.3 | 44.4 ± 29.4 | 20.2 | 66.1 ± 27.4 |
| Mild to moderate kratom craving | 36.8 | 69 ± 26.3 | 17.4 | 81.8 ± 15.5 | 10.3 | 57.6 ± 28.8 | 19.4 | 67.8 ± 26 |
| Daytime sleepiness | 23.7 | 84 ± 16.7 | 21.7 | 81 ± 12.1 | 14.7 | 48.8 ± 29.7 | 18.6 | 68.7 ± 27.7 |
| Hot flashes | 36.8 | 51.4 ± 34.7 | 8.7 | 81.5 ± 4.9 | 5.9 | 49.8 ± 11 | 15.5 | 54.0 ± 30.5 |
| Runny nose | 34.2 | 68.4 ± 21.5 | 17.4 | 24.3 ± 10.7 | 2.9 | 38 ± 36.8 | 14.7 | 55.9 ± 27.8 |
| Restless legs | 21.1 | 82.6 ± 19.6 | 21.7 | 57.8 ± 16.1 | 5.9 | 40.8 ± 42.5 | 13.2 | 65.5 ± 29.8 |
| Craving for another substance | 36.8 | 76.6 ± 22.6 | 8.7 | 68 ± 17 | 1.5 | 100 ± 0 | 13.2 | 77.0 ± 21.9 |
| Cold flashes | 18.4 | 63.4 ± 27.6 | 4.3 | 68 ± 0 | 2.9 | 54 ± 5.7 | 17.8 | 62.0 ± 23 |
| Watery eyes | 18.4 | 73.1 ± 20.7 | 8.7 | 33 ± 19.8 | 0.0 | 0 ± 0 | 7.0 | 64.2 ± 26.2 |
| Vomiting/emesis | 10.5 | 35.3 ± 43.2 | 4.3 | 36 ± 0 | 4.4 | 0.7 ± 1.2 | 6.2 | 22.4 ± 33.5 |
| Intense kratom craving | 15.8 | 94.2 ± 8.4 | 4.3 | 64 ± 0 | 0.0 | 0 ± 0 | 5.4 | 89.9 ± 13.7 |
a
Withdrawal severity ratings were made by respondents using visual analogue scales (0–100; 0=“almost nothing”,100=“severe or unbearable discomfort”).
Checklist items were locally developed based on prior kratom case report, survey, and social media data describing kratom withdrawal.
±“Remitted”= DSM-5 specifier of 12 month continuous period without diagnostic criterion being met.