I don't want to sound morbid, but i have to admit i find i pretty interesting to read about all the unique use patterns, approaches and opinions regarding kratom. Thanx! I'll leave it at that respectively share some as well.
Besides the obvious, i don't really have a strong opinion about it any more, due to vastly different experiences people seem to have.
My longest streak was over one and a half years and i only (without exception) took it at night, one initial 'bigger' dose and sometimes a small reload when the first one didn't deliver. I noticed only a slight increase in my doses. Variations in effectiveness where there but i attribute that largely to different bioavailability, depending on hydration, food intake, exercise, etc. I started out with 8-10g but never exceeded 15g/day; why would i when the effect was still there? Without tolerance and perfect bioavailability 8g can send me off to a
really nice turn, where just sitting and breathing is the absolute shit, heavy euphoria and nodding for long stretches. When it goes in well, 10g can potentially be 'too much' for me but of course that's not always the case.
On occasion i took a day off and after 24-30 hours i felt like crap; achy, flu symptoms, non-existent temperature regulation of my body, tremors and depressed as hell (no light at the end of the tunnel). But this was a time where my life was shatterd to the point where i had heavy psychosomatic symptoms to begin with. So i thought, "ok, still feeling like shit, i might as well take some kratom again..". It took me a while to realize that this was withdrawal (although i knew from the get-go that kratom has addictive potential), naive i know.
After that time i had a period where i would try to get off, but usually only made it to day three; that's where the shit really gets loose mentally. But i had no real meaning, motivation and goal in my life at that time which is certainly a major factor too. The physical side was really no joke either, at night it was not just RLS ..i named it RBS (restless body syndrome) where i couldn't keep still for 10 seconds, it would just build up and become unbearable so i
had to move and turning over for 3-4 hours per night is not only grueling but also an exercise. A real delight for the aching limbs. I also was sweating to the point where i had to change sheets during the night cause everything was soaked. But after a week it got noticable better and after two weeks it was almost normal again. I kept a log, but i don't have that at hand right now.
During my continuous use my digestion got really inactive, i hate that and i don't think thats healthy too. I felt very cosy and warm, but my sleep was dreamless and my mouth got very very dry during the night! I think that took a toll on my teeth. No fun! It also suppressed my appetite to the point where i just didn't bother to eat and i got really emaciated and lightheaded over time. To get my appetite and digestion up and running again probably took the longest besides the mental aspect of not having a regular escape from reality any more.
Hope somebody finds this useful. Greetings
Edit: After that i continued to use for shorter periods at a time, 2 - 3 weeks with only mild symptoms afterwards. I never really bothered to taper or anything, but i'm not saying that that's not advisable for some folks and use patterns! I also made a break for over a year. I now use it on occasion but not longer than a couple of days max (only in the afternoon) without real effort/intention..