diff --git a/src/api/model.rs b/src/api/model.rs
index ac4e297..e98de8b 100644
--- a/src/api/model.rs
+++ b/src/api/model.rs
@@ -364,6 +364,7 @@ pub(super) struct MinimalMeRuntimeData {
     pub(super) me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: u64,
     pub(super) me_reconnect_fast_retry_count: u32,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+    pub(super) me_instadrain: bool,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: bool,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: u64,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_soft_evict_per_writer: u8,
diff --git a/src/api/runtime_stats.rs b/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
index f8948d1..cdeacc0 100644
--- a/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
+++ b/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
@@ -431,6 +431,7 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
         me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: runtime.me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms,
         me_reconnect_fast_retry_count: runtime.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count,
         me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: runtime.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        me_instadrain: runtime.me_instadrain,
         me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: runtime.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
         me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: runtime.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
         me_pool_drain_soft_evict_per_writer: runtime.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_per_writer,
diff --git a/src/cli.rs b/src/cli.rs
index a1182a7..5fbd7d5 100644
--- a/src/cli.rs
+++ b/src/cli.rs
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ desync_all_full = false
 update_every = 43200
 hardswap = false
 me_pool_drain_ttl_secs = 90
+me_instadrain = false
 me_pool_min_fresh_ratio = 0.8
 me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs = 120
 
diff --git a/src/config/defaults.rs b/src/config/defaults.rs
index 54a53b3..6d74c93 100644
--- a/src/config/defaults.rs
+++ b/src/config/defaults.rs
@@ -613,6 +613,10 @@ pub(crate) fn default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs() -> u64 {
     90
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_me_instadrain() -> bool {
+    false
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn default_me_pool_drain_threshold() -> u64 {
     128
 }
diff --git a/src/config/hot_reload.rs b/src/config/hot_reload.rs
index 7b94999..1315f9c 100644
--- a/src/config/hot_reload.rs
+++ b/src/config/hot_reload.rs
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms: u64,
     pub hardswap:                bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_ttl_secs:  u64,
+    pub me_instadrain: bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_threshold: u64,
     pub me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: u64,
@@ -143,6 +144,7 @@ impl HotFields {
             me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms: cfg.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms,
             hardswap:                cfg.general.hardswap,
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs:  cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+            me_instadrain: cfg.general.me_instadrain,
             me_pool_drain_threshold: cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
@@ -477,6 +479,7 @@ fn overlay_hot_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> ProxyConfig {
     cfg.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms = new.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms;
     cfg.general.hardswap = new.general.hardswap;
     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs = new.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs;
+    cfg.general.me_instadrain = new.general.me_instadrain;
     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold = new.general.me_pool_drain_threshold;
     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled = new.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled;
     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs =
@@ -869,6 +872,12 @@ fn log_changes(
             old_hot.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs, new_hot.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
         );
     }
+    if old_hot.me_instadrain != new_hot.me_instadrain {
+        info!(
+            "config reload: me_instadrain: {} → {}",
+            old_hot.me_instadrain, new_hot.me_instadrain,
+        );
+    }
 
     if old_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold != new_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold {
         info!(
diff --git a/src/config/types.rs b/src/config/types.rs
index 047f3c2..ecd051d 100644
--- a/src/config/types.rs
+++ b/src/config/types.rs
@@ -812,6 +812,10 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs")]
     pub me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
 
+    /// Force-remove any draining writer on the next cleanup tick, regardless of age/deadline.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_instadrain")]
+    pub me_instadrain: bool,
+
     /// Maximum allowed number of draining ME writers before oldest ones are force-closed in batches.
     /// Set to 0 to disable threshold-based draining cleanup and keep timeout-only behavior.
     #[serde(default = "default_me_pool_drain_threshold")]
@@ -1020,6 +1024,7 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_secret_atomic_snapshot: default_me_secret_atomic_snapshot(),
             proxy_secret_len_max: default_proxy_secret_len_max(),
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs(),
+            me_instadrain: default_me_instadrain(),
             me_pool_drain_threshold: default_me_pool_drain_threshold(),
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: default_me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled(),
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: default_me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs(),
diff --git a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
index 827b00c..0b1310a 100644
--- a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
@@ -237,6 +237,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                     config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
                     config.general.hardswap,
                     config.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+                    config.general.me_instadrain,
                     config.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
                     config.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
                     config.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
@@ -342,6 +343,13 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                                             )
                                             .await;
                                         });
+                                        let pool_drain_enforcer = pool_bg.clone();
+                                        tokio::spawn(async move {
+                                            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_drain_timeout_enforcer(
+                                                pool_drain_enforcer,
+                                            )
+                                            .await;
+                                        });
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     Err(e) => {
@@ -409,6 +417,13 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                                     )
                                     .await;
                                 });
+                                let pool_drain_enforcer = pool.clone();
+                                tokio::spawn(async move {
+                                    crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_drain_timeout_enforcer(
+                                        pool_drain_enforcer,
+                                    )
+                                    .await;
+                                });
 
                                 break Some(pool);
                             }
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
index 43a3569..26ec497 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
@@ -298,6 +298,7 @@ async fn run_update_cycle(
     pool.update_runtime_reinit_policy(
         cfg.general.hardswap,
         cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        cfg.general.me_instadrain,
         cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
         cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
         cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
@@ -530,6 +531,7 @@ pub async fn me_config_updater(
                 pool.update_runtime_reinit_policy(
                     cfg.general.hardswap,
                     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+                    cfg.general.me_instadrain,
                     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
                     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
                     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
index 6d0af64..8b62cff 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
 use crate::network::IpFamily;
 
 use super::MePool;
+use super::pool::MeWriter;
 
 const JITTER_FRAC_NUM: u64 = 2; // jitter up to 50% of backoff
 #[allow(dead_code)]
@@ -30,6 +31,8 @@ const HEALTH_DRAIN_CLOSE_BUDGET_MIN: usize = 16;
 const HEALTH_DRAIN_CLOSE_BUDGET_MAX: usize = 256;
 const HEALTH_DRAIN_SOFT_EVICT_BUDGET_MIN: usize = 8;
 const HEALTH_DRAIN_SOFT_EVICT_BUDGET_MAX: usize = 256;
+const HEALTH_DRAIN_REAP_OPPORTUNISTIC_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 1;
+const HEALTH_DRAIN_TIMEOUT_ENFORCER_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 1;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 struct DcFloorPlanEntry {
@@ -99,6 +102,8 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
             &mut adaptive_idle_since,
             &mut adaptive_recover_until,
             &mut floor_warn_next_allowed,
+            &mut drain_warn_next_allowed,
+            &mut drain_soft_evict_next_allowed,
         )
         .await;
         let v6_degraded = check_family(
@@ -116,12 +121,63 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
             &mut adaptive_idle_since,
             &mut adaptive_recover_until,
             &mut floor_warn_next_allowed,
+            &mut drain_warn_next_allowed,
+            &mut drain_soft_evict_next_allowed,
         )
         .await;
         degraded_interval = v4_degraded || v6_degraded;
     }
 }
 
+pub async fn me_drain_timeout_enforcer(pool: Arc<MePool>) {
+    let mut drain_warn_next_allowed: HashMap<u64, Instant> = HashMap::new();
+    let mut drain_soft_evict_next_allowed: HashMap<u64, Instant> = HashMap::new();
+    loop {
+        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(
+            HEALTH_DRAIN_TIMEOUT_ENFORCER_INTERVAL_SECS,
+        ))
+        .await;
+        reap_draining_writers(
+            &pool,
+            &mut drain_warn_next_allowed,
+            &mut drain_soft_evict_next_allowed,
+        )
+        .await;
+    }
+}
+
+fn draining_writer_timeout_expired(
+    pool: &MePool,
+    writer: &MeWriter,
+    now_epoch_secs: u64,
+    drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+) -> bool {
+    if pool
+        .me_instadrain
+        .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed)
+    {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    let deadline_epoch_secs = writer
+        .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+        .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+    if deadline_epoch_secs != 0 {
+        return now_epoch_secs >= deadline_epoch_secs;
+    }
+
+    if drain_ttl_secs == 0 {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let drain_started_at_epoch_secs = writer
+        .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+        .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+    if drain_started_at_epoch_secs == 0 {
+        return false;
+    }
+    now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(drain_started_at_epoch_secs) > drain_ttl_secs
+}
+
 pub(super) async fn reap_draining_writers(
     pool: &Arc<MePool>,
     warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
@@ -137,11 +193,16 @@ pub(super) async fn reap_draining_writers(
     let activity = pool.registry.writer_activity_snapshot().await;
     let mut draining_writers = Vec::new();
     let mut empty_writer_ids = Vec::<u64>::new();
+    let mut timeout_expired_writer_ids = Vec::<u64>::new();
     let mut force_close_writer_ids = Vec::<u64>::new();
     for writer in writers {
         if !writer.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
             continue;
         }
+        if draining_writer_timeout_expired(pool, &writer, now_epoch_secs, drain_ttl_secs) {
+            timeout_expired_writer_ids.push(writer.id);
+            continue;
+        }
         if activity
             .bound_clients_by_writer
             .get(&writer.id)
@@ -207,14 +268,6 @@ pub(super) async fn reap_draining_writers(
                 "ME draining writer remains non-empty past drain TTL"
             );
         }
-        let deadline_epoch_secs = writer
-            .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
-            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-        if deadline_epoch_secs != 0 && now_epoch_secs >= deadline_epoch_secs {
-            warn!(writer_id = writer.id, "Drain timeout, force-closing");
-            force_close_writer_ids.push(writer.id);
-            active_draining_writer_ids.remove(&writer.id);
-        }
     }
 
     warn_next_allowed.retain(|writer_id, _| active_draining_writer_ids.contains(writer_id));
@@ -299,11 +352,21 @@ pub(super) async fn reap_draining_writers(
         }
     }
 
-    let close_budget = health_drain_close_budget();
+    let mut closed_writer_ids = HashSet::<u64>::new();
+    for writer_id in timeout_expired_writer_ids {
+        if !closed_writer_ids.insert(writer_id) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+        pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer_id).await;
+        pool.stats
+            .increment_me_draining_writers_reap_progress_total();
+    }
+
     let requested_force_close = force_close_writer_ids.len();
     let requested_empty_close = empty_writer_ids.len();
     let requested_close_total = requested_force_close.saturating_add(requested_empty_close);
-    let mut closed_writer_ids = HashSet::<u64>::new();
+    let close_budget = health_drain_close_budget();
     let mut closed_total = 0usize;
     for writer_id in force_close_writer_ids {
         if closed_total >= close_budget {
@@ -396,6 +459,8 @@ async fn check_family(
     adaptive_idle_since: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     adaptive_recover_until: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     floor_warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
+    drain_warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
+    drain_soft_evict_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
 ) -> bool {
     let enabled = match family {
         IpFamily::V4 => pool.decision.ipv4_me,
@@ -476,8 +541,15 @@ async fn check_family(
         floor_plan.active_writers_current,
         floor_plan.warm_writers_current,
     );
+    let mut next_drain_reap_at = Instant::now();
 
     for (dc, endpoints) in dc_endpoints {
+        if Instant::now() >= next_drain_reap_at {
+            reap_draining_writers(pool, drain_warn_next_allowed, drain_soft_evict_next_allowed)
+                .await;
+            next_drain_reap_at = Instant::now()
+                + Duration::from_secs(HEALTH_DRAIN_REAP_OPPORTUNISTIC_INTERVAL_SECS);
+        }
         if endpoints.is_empty() {
             continue;
         }
@@ -621,6 +693,12 @@ async fn check_family(
 
         let mut restored = 0usize;
         for _ in 0..missing {
+            if Instant::now() >= next_drain_reap_at {
+                reap_draining_writers(pool, drain_warn_next_allowed, drain_soft_evict_next_allowed)
+                    .await;
+                next_drain_reap_at = Instant::now()
+                    + Duration::from_secs(HEALTH_DRAIN_REAP_OPPORTUNISTIC_INTERVAL_SECS);
+            }
             if reconnect_budget == 0 {
                 break;
             }
@@ -1548,6 +1626,7 @@ mod tests {
             general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
             general.hardswap,
             general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+            general.me_instadrain,
             general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
             general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
             general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_adversarial_tests.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_adversarial_tests.rs
index 3f182e4..ae517b3 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_adversarial_tests.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_adversarial_tests.rs
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ async fn make_pool(
         general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
         general.hardswap,
         general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        general.me_instadrain,
         general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_respects_threshold_across_multiple_overflow_cycle
         insert_draining_writer(
             &pool,
             writer_id,
-            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(600).saturating_add(writer_id),
+            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20),
             1,
             0,
         )
@@ -230,7 +231,7 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_respects_threshold_across_multiple_overflow_cycle
     }
 
     assert_eq!(writer_count(&pool).await, threshold as usize);
-    assert_eq!(sorted_writer_ids(&pool).await, vec![58, 59, 60]);
+    assert_eq!(sorted_writer_ids(&pool).await, vec![1, 2, 3]);
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_integration_tests.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_integration_tests.rs
index 7f99d2a..fbbffce 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_integration_tests.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_integration_tests.rs
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ async fn make_pool(
         general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
         general.hardswap,
         general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        general.me_instadrain,
         general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_regression_tests.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_regression_tests.rs
index 565ac74..bcdaf2e 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_regression_tests.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health_regression_tests.rs
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ async fn make_pool(me_pool_drain_threshold: u64) -> Arc<MePool> {
         general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
         general.hardswap,
         general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        general.me_instadrain,
         general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled,
         general.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs,
@@ -180,8 +181,14 @@ async fn current_writer_ids(pool: &Arc<MePool>) -> Vec<u64> {
 async fn reap_draining_writers_drops_warn_state_for_removed_writer() {
     let pool = make_pool(128).await;
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
-    let conn_ids =
-        insert_draining_writer(&pool, 7, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(180), 1, 0).await;
+    let conn_ids = insert_draining_writer(
+        &pool,
+        7,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(180),
+        1,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_add(3_600),
+    )
+    .await;
     let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
     let mut soft_evict_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -331,17 +338,17 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_deadline_force_close_applies_under_threshold() {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn reap_draining_writers_limits_closes_per_health_tick() {
-    let pool = make_pool(128).await;
+    let pool = make_pool(1).await;
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
     let close_budget = health_drain_close_budget();
-    let writer_total = close_budget.saturating_add(19);
+    let writer_total = close_budget.saturating_add(20);
     for writer_id in 1..=writer_total as u64 {
         insert_draining_writer(
             &pool,
             writer_id,
             now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20),
             1,
-            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(1),
+            0,
         )
         .await;
     }
@@ -364,8 +371,8 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_backlog_drains_across_ticks() {
             &pool,
             writer_id,
             now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20),
-            1,
-            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(1),
+            0,
+            0,
         )
         .await;
     }
@@ -393,7 +400,7 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_threshold_backlog_converges_to_threshold() {
         insert_draining_writer(
             &pool,
             writer_id,
-            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(200).saturating_add(writer_id),
+            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20),
             1,
             0,
         )
@@ -429,27 +436,27 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_threshold_zero_preserves_non_expired_non_empty_wr
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn reap_draining_writers_prioritizes_force_close_before_empty_cleanup() {
-    let pool = make_pool(128).await;
+    let pool = make_pool(1).await;
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
     let close_budget = health_drain_close_budget();
-    for writer_id in 1..=close_budget as u64 {
+    for writer_id in 1..=close_budget.saturating_add(1) as u64 {
         insert_draining_writer(
             &pool,
             writer_id,
             now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20),
             1,
-            now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(1),
+            0,
         )
         .await;
     }
-    let empty_writer_id = close_budget as u64 + 1;
+    let empty_writer_id = close_budget.saturating_add(2) as u64;
     insert_draining_writer(&pool, empty_writer_id, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20), 0, 0).await;
     let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
     let mut soft_evict_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
 
     reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed, &mut soft_evict_next_allowed).await;
 
-    assert_eq!(current_writer_ids(&pool).await, vec![empty_writer_id]);
+    assert_eq!(current_writer_ids(&pool).await, vec![1, empty_writer_id]);
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
@@ -571,7 +578,14 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_soft_evicts_stuck_writer_with_per_writer_cap() {
         .store(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
-    insert_draining_writer(&pool, 77, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(240), 3, 0).await;
+    insert_draining_writer(
+        &pool,
+        77,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(240),
+        3,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_add(3_600),
+    )
+    .await;
     let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
     let mut soft_evict_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -595,7 +609,14 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_soft_evict_respects_cooldown_per_writer() {
         .store(60_000, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
-    insert_draining_writer(&pool, 88, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(240), 3, 0).await;
+    insert_draining_writer(
+        &pool,
+        88,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(240),
+        3,
+        now_epoch_secs.saturating_add(3_600),
+    )
+    .await;
     let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
     let mut soft_evict_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -608,6 +629,21 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers_soft_evict_respects_cooldown_per_writer() {
     assert_eq!(pool.stats.get_pool_drain_soft_evict_writer_total(), 1);
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn reap_draining_writers_instadrain_removes_non_expired_writers_immediately() {
+    let pool = make_pool(0).await;
+    pool.me_instadrain.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+    insert_draining_writer(&pool, 101, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(5), 1, 0).await;
+    insert_draining_writer(&pool, 102, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(4), 1, 0).await;
+    let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
+    let mut soft_evict_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
+
+    reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed, &mut soft_evict_next_allowed).await;
+
+    assert!(current_writer_ids(&pool).await.is_empty());
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn general_config_default_drain_threshold_remains_enabled() {
     assert_eq!(GeneralConfig::default().me_pool_drain_threshold, 128);
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/mod.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/mod.rs
index 590c996..26ded29 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/mod.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/mod.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ mod health_adversarial_tests;
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 
-pub use health::me_health_monitor;
+pub use health::{me_drain_timeout_enforcer, me_health_monitor};
 #[allow(unused_imports)]
 pub use ping::{run_me_ping, format_sample_line, format_me_route, MePingReport, MePingSample, MePingFamily};
 pub use pool::MePool;
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
index d09f07c..441d41d 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
@@ -171,6 +171,7 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) endpoint_quarantine: Arc<Mutex<HashMap<SocketAddr, Instant>>>,
     pub(super) kdf_material_fingerprint: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<SocketAddr, (u64, u16)>>>,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_instadrain: AtomicBool,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_threshold: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: AtomicBool,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: AtomicU64,
@@ -279,6 +280,7 @@ impl MePool {
         me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
         hardswap: bool,
         me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+        me_instadrain: bool,
         me_pool_drain_threshold: u64,
         me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: bool,
         me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: u64,
@@ -462,6 +464,7 @@ impl MePool {
             endpoint_quarantine: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashMap::new())),
             kdf_material_fingerprint: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_drain_ttl_secs),
+            me_instadrain: AtomicBool::new(me_instadrain),
             me_pool_drain_threshold: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_drain_threshold),
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: AtomicBool::new(me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled),
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs),
@@ -524,6 +527,7 @@ impl MePool {
         &self,
         hardswap: bool,
         drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+        instadrain: bool,
         pool_drain_threshold: u64,
         pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: bool,
         pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: u64,
@@ -568,6 +572,7 @@ impl MePool {
         self.hardswap.store(hardswap, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs
             .store(drain_ttl_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_instadrain.store(instadrain, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_drain_threshold
             .store(pool_drain_threshold, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
index 214ee49..5fe45cb 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiRuntimeSnapshot {
     pub me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: u64,
     pub me_reconnect_fast_retry_count: u32,
     pub me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+    pub me_instadrain: bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_soft_evict_grace_secs: u64,
     pub me_pool_drain_soft_evict_per_writer: u8,
@@ -583,6 +584,7 @@ impl MePool {
             me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: self.me_reconnect_backoff_cap.as_millis() as u64,
             me_reconnect_fast_retry_count: self.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count,
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: self.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            me_instadrain: self.me_instadrain.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled: self
                 .me_pool_drain_soft_evict_enabled
                 .load(Ordering::Relaxed),