Kratom users who are going through a professional routine screening must ask this critical question: “Can kratom show up on a drug test?”. The relationship between kratom and drug test screening is complex and often depends on the type of test, its purpose, and the legal status of the plant itself.
If you are expecting employment screening, probation requirements, or other forms of testing must understand these facts to make an informed decision. This article provides you with a clear, detailed overview of kratom’s detectability, legality, and duration in your body.
Can Kratom Show Up On a Drug Test?
The quick answer is yes, but only if the test is specifically designed to find kratom in your body.
Standard Drug Panels Do Not Screen for Kratom
5-panel and 10-panel drug tests are used by most employers, probation officers, and sports organisations to find common drug substances like THC (marijuana), Cocaine, Amphetamines (including methamphetamine), Opiates (like heroin, morphine, codeine), and Phencyclidine (PCP).
Kratom’s main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, have a very different chemical structure from these common drug substances; therefore, they will not cause false positives for any opiates or other substances on a standard drug test.
Specialized Kratom Testing Does Exist
Kratom is not part of standard screening tests; however, some specific tests for alkaloids are available and becoming more common in certain areas.
Specialised kratom testing is used in:
- Forensic and Legal Settings
Law enforcement or court-ordered testing may use specialised panels to find kratom presence in the body.
- Rehabilitation Programs
In rehabilitation programs, some addiction treatments may use specialised tests for kratom to ensure compliance with sobriety.
- Specific Employment Policies
An employer with a strict zero-tolerance policy for all psychoactive substances may ask for an advanced panel test that includes kratom screening, although it is a rare case.
These specialised tests may analyse urine, blood, hair, or saliva. The most common method is urine due to its longer detection window.
How Long Does Kratom Stay In Your System?
The effects of kratom depend on various factors, and it can last up to 6 hours, but the alkaloids present in kratom can stay in your body for a much longer time. It can be detected in your urine for six to seven days.
Although it can be based on the amount of dosage you have consumed, frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism, so if you are a regular kratom consumer, it can take longer for your system to completely digest it. That’s why it can be found in your body within 7 to 14 days.
Detection Windows by Test Type:
- Urine tests are most common for drug identification. Kratom is not detectable in a standard 5 to 10 panel test; however, extended panels of more than 12 may include kratom if requested.
- Blood tests are rarely used for detecting kratom; however, they can show kratom presence (mainly mitragynine) after 24 to 48 hours of consumption.
- Hair follicle test can detect kratom for up to 90 days, but this test is rarely used to identify kratom consumption.
- Kratom is unlikely to be detected in saliva unless specifically tested
Factors Influencing Detection Time:
- Dosage and Frequency: High-dose consumption or daily intake will take longer to clear from your body.
- Faster Metabolism: Individuals with faster metabolism will process kratom more quickly.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): The alkaloids are lipophilic (fat-soluble), making them stored in your body fat for a long time, especially in individuals with a higher BMI.
The Legal Question: Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom legality varies by country and, in some cases, within regions of a country. In the United States, kratom is legal at the federal level but banned in certain states and cities. Its legal status is a bit complicated.
Kratom is banned in 6 states (AL, AR, IN, RI, VT, WI) and labeled as a controlled substance and added to the “drug of concern” section in six US states. Buying, selling, consuming, or growing in these states is illegal.
Kratom Legality varies all around the world. It is still in discussion among authorities as it has many benefits for the body and mind, but also has the potential to cause other severe damage.
People are also worried about kratom coming back as a false positive for opioids like morphine or methadone. Standard drug tests, such as EMIT or CEDIA, do not cross-react with kratom; however, some rapid tests, like dipsticks (mostly inaccurate), may show false positives.
In case you test positive for opioids due to kratom, request a confirmatory GC/MS test, which is more accurate. Inform the tester beforehand about your kratom consumption.
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