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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Suffer From Withdrawals Or Try To Use Kratom In Low Doses?

Hi, I am a 27 y/0 Graduate student. I have been using opiates, primary hydrocodone. For several years off and on but, lately I have had exposure to using this drug constantly for around 2 weeks. I wish to better my life and totally free myself from this addiction/ dependency, I am currently going cold turkey (Day 1) I have recently tried a less known drug (kratom) which did help keep the withdrawals at bay, but I realize this is illegal in many states and I have to drive over an hour to buy this drug illegitimately at a store. My question is what do you suggest, in my case should I suffer through the hell that comes from withdrawals or try to use Kratom in very low doses for the first week to help ween myself back to normalcy?
Mon, 17 Feb 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

If you have been using hydrocodone regularly for only two weeks then I do not expect you to have severe withdrawal symptoms. The problem with using substances like kratom to quit another substance is that you may end up being addicted to the new drug and then will have to find ways to quit that. I would suggest that you gradually taper off your use of hydrocodone. You can also opt to quit cold turkey and tolerate the withdrawal symptoms using over the counter medicines like Tylenol.

Best wishes.
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Should I Suffer From Withdrawals Or Try To Use Kratom In Low Doses?

Hi, If you have been using hydrocodone regularly for only two weeks then I do not expect you to have severe withdrawal symptoms. The problem with using substances like kratom to quit another substance is that you may end up being addicted to the new drug and then will have to find ways to quit that. I would suggest that you gradually taper off your use of hydrocodone. You can also opt to quit cold turkey and tolerate the withdrawal symptoms using over the counter medicines like Tylenol. Best wishes.