Drug screens are usually set up to find evidence of dangerous recreational substances such as amphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. But will they also detect a popular but controversial herbal extract? Does kratom show up on a drug test?
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call us today or visit our admissions page to start your journey toward recovery.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom consists of dried leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to several nations in Southeast Asia. It has been used for centuries in this region, both for medicinal purposes (it is said to have opioid-like painkilling properties) and as a stimulant.
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that kratom began to become popular in the United States where it is typically marketed as an herbal supplement or extract. It is taken orally, either by chewing the leaf material or in capsule or concentrate form.
Kratom proponents claim that its benefits include alleviating pain, improving mood, increasing energy, and easing the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. However, many researchers and other experts have questioned or outright denied these assertions, as evidenced by a post on the Mayo Clinic website titled “Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective.”
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Does kratom show up on a drug test sounds like a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no. However, it’s actually a bit more complex than that.
Several factors, including which type of drug screen you take, can influence the likelihood that you will test positive for kratom. These factors can also impact how long the drug might be detectable in your system.
Types of Drug Tests
Drug screens usually analyze saliva, blood, urine, or hair follicles. The general length of time that kratom can show up on a drug test varies depending on what type of sample you need to provide:
- Urine: You may test positive on a urine test for up to seven days after the last time you used kratom.
- Blood: A drug screen that tests your blood may detect evidence of kratom use for about three days after the last time you used to substance.
- Saliva: Evidence of kratom use may be present in your saliva for about three or four days, but most saliva tests aren’t designed to look for it.
- Hair: An analysis of your hair follicles could result in a positive result for kratom for up to 90 days (three months) after your most recent use. However, as with saliva test, hair follicle tests for kratom are rare.
The type of sample that they analyze isn’t the only characteristic that differs among drug screens. They also vary based on what substances they are designed to detect.
For example, if you are taking a standard drug test for your job, you will probably take what’s known as a five-panel test. This means that it is set up to find evidence of five types of drugs:
- Amphetamine (speed)
- Cocaine
- Opiates (a category that includes heroin, morphine, and the active ingredients in many prescription painkillers)
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC which is the psychoactive element in marijuana)
- Phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust)
You’re unlikely to test positive for kratom unless you are taking a specially designed 10- or 12-panel drug screen.
Other Influential Factors
The length of time you can positive for kratom on a drug test can also be influenced by factors such as:
- Your age, weight, and metabolism
- How long you’ve been using kratom, and how frequently you use it
- How much kratom you typically use
- If you have certain medical conditions
- If you have also been using other substances
Finally, it’s important to remember that kratom is legal in much of the United States:
- As of February 2024, kratom is banned in six states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin), and the District of Columbia.
- Sixteen other states have some regulations on kratom, such as limiting it to people over a certain age.
- The remaining 28 states and U.S. territories have no statewide legislation regarding the possession and use of kratom, though some cities (such as San Diego, CA) and counties (such as Sarasota County in Florida) regulate the substance.
It is possible to be subjected to drug tests for legal substances. For example, employees whose jobs are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) may be tested for alcohol in certain circumstances.
However, testing for legal substances is much less common than screenings for frequently abused recreational drugs.
Is Kratom Dangerous?
Testing positive on a drug test isn’t the only potential negative outcome associated with kratom use. You may also be at risk of experiencing several adverse health effects.
Harmful Effects
Side effects that have been associated with kratom use include:
- Disorientation
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Cardiac arrest
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Seizure
Researchers have also warned that using kratom while you are pregnant can be harmful to your child.
Risk of Addiction
The best way to avoid kratom’s harmful side effects, as well as to ensure that you don’t test positive on a drug screen, is to stop using it. If that proves to be difficult for you to do, you may have developed an addiction.
There’s no entry for kratom addiction in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, sources including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have reported that it can cause signs that are consistent with substance use disorders, including the onset of withdrawal symptoms when someone tries to end their use of the substance.
Learn More About Treatment for Kratom Addiction in Atlanta
If you or a loved one have become dependent on kratom, Retreat of Atlanta is here to help.
At our addiction treatment center in Atlanta, GA, you can take part in both medical detox and comprehensive residential rehab. Our team will work closely with you to identify the full scope of your unique needs, then develop a customized plan that can put you on the path toward a healthier future in recovery.
To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.