Kratomโderived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asiaโhas gained widespread popularity in recent years as a legal alternative for managing chronic pain, relieving anxiety, and even easing opioid withdrawal symptoms. But for individuals facing routine drug screeningsโwhether for employment, legal matters, or medical evaluationsโa burning question remains: Does kratom show up on a drug test?
The short answer is: not typically, but there’s much more nuance to consider. Letโs dive into how kratom interacts with the body, how long it stays in your system, and under what circumstances it can be detected.
What Is Kratom and How Does It Work?
Kratom contains active compounds known as alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids interact with opioid receptors in the brainโparticularly the mu-opioid receptorsโproducing opioid-like effects, such as pain relief and sedation at higher doses, and stimulant effects at lower doses.
Although kratom acts on the same receptors as opioid drugs, it is not currently classified as a controlled substance under U.S. federal law. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has listed it as a โdrug of concern,โ and its legal status varies by state.[1]
Does Kratom Show Up on a Standard Drug Test?
Most standard drug tests (5-panel or 10-panel) used in employment or legal settings do not include kratom or its alkaloids in their routine screening parameters. That means mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine will typically not trigger a failed drug test result.
Why?
Because these alkaloids are chemically distinct from common opioids, they arenโt detected by assays designed to identify opioid drugs like morphine, codeine, heroin, or oxycodone.
However, thatโs not the end of the story.
Specialized Tests Can Detect Kratom
While kratom doesnโt show up in most standard drug panels, specialized tests can detect kratom alkaloids. These are typically used in:
- Forensic toxicology
- Addiction treatment centers
- Probation/parole testing
- Custom employer drug screenings
Some of the most common testing methods include:
1. Urine Tests
Urine tests are the most common method for detecting kratom, especially in clinical or legal settings. Kratom metabolites can be found in urine within a few hours of ingestion and remain detectable for up to 5โ7 days, depending on:
- Kratom dose (high potency or low potency)
- Frequency of use
- Body weight
- Individual metabolism
- Hydration levels
2. Blood Tests
Blood tests can detect active compounds of kratom for a shorter windowโgenerally 12 to 24 hours after ingestion. These are less commonly used due to their invasiveness and narrower detection window.
3. Saliva Tests
Saliva drug tests are not reliable for detecting kratom use. The alkaloids are present in small quantities and are cleared from the mouth relatively quickly.
4. Hair Follicle Tests
Hair tests or hair follicle tests can detect kratom use for up to 90 days, depending on the testing facility and methods used. However, these tests are expensive and uncommon, reserved for highly specialized cases.
Kratom Half-Life and How Long It Stays in Your System
The half-life of mitragynineโthe primary alkaloid in kratomโis estimated to be approximately 24 hours, though individual metabolism can vary widely.
Factors that influence how long kratom stays in your system include:
- Dosage: Higher doses lead to a longer detection window
- Frequency: Regular users accumulate kratom metabolites in their system
- Body fat %: Kratom is lipophilic (stored in fat tissues)
- Liver function: Affects kratom metabolization rate
- Other substances: Interactions may alter the breakdown of kratom
- Age & Genetics: Play roles in the overall speed of metabolism
On average, kratom can be detected in a personโs system for 2โ7 days, though heavy or chronic use may extend that period to up to 10 days in some cases.
What About Kratom and False Positives?
Kratom is unlikely to cause false positives for opioids or other substances on a standard drug test. That said, there have been rare anecdotal cases where lower-quality tests or unregulated testing kits confused kratom with other substances.
To avoid false assumptions, anyone using kratom should disclose its use before testingโespecially in healthcare or legal settings.
Why Do Some Places Test for Kratom?
Despite not being federally scheduled, kratom can be considered a substance of concern in:
- Rehabilitation or addiction treatment programs
- Court-mandated testing protocols
- Workplaces with zero-tolerance drug policies
- Military testing environments
As kratom use becomes more widespread, custom lab tests for mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are increasingly available, especially in the context of substance use evaluation.
Is Kratom Addictive?
While kratom is often marketed as a tool to help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, kratom addiction is a real and documented concern. Long-term, high-dose users can develop:
- Physical dependence and kratom addiction
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., irritability, nausea, sweating, insomnia)
- Increased tolerance
- Compulsive use patterns
According to a 2021 study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, about 13.6% of kratom users meet the criteria for moderate-to-severe kratom use disorder.[2]
What To Do If Youโre Concerned About Kratom Testing
If you’re using kratomโeither for chronic pain, anxiety, opioid withdrawal, or recreational useโand have an upcoming drug test, consider the following steps:
- Consult your healthcare provider: Especially if youโre using kratom to self-manage pain or addiction symptoms.
- Disclose kratom use pre-test: Transparency can prevent misinterpretation.
- Know your legal protections: Kratomโs legality varies. In some states, itโs banned or regulated. Check your local laws.
- Ask about test type: If you’re facing routine drug screenings, kratom will likely not be included. But in custom or forensic tests, it might be.
The best way to pass a drug test is to avoid kratom use in the first place. If you are having a hard time stopping the use of kratom, you might need addiction treatment. At Moving Mountains Recovery, we can help you overcome kratom addiction using evidence-based treatment methods.
Get Connected to Kratom Addiction Treatment
In most scenarios, kratom will not show up on a drug test, especially if it’s a standard panel used for employment or routine medical screenings. However, specialized testing can and does detect kratom metabolitesโparticularly when substance use or dependency is being evaluated.
Understanding the variables that influence how long kratom stays in your systemโsuch as metabolism, dosage, and frequencyโis essential for making informed decisions.
If you’re on a recovery journey, using kratom to manage opioid withdrawal, or exploring it as an alternative to prescription painkillers, always approach with caution. Kratom is not risk-free, and awareness is the first step toward safe, responsible use.
Kratom addiction can be difficult to overcome. If you are struggling, contact Moving Mountains Recovery for more information on how we can help you recover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can kratom interact with other medications and affect test results?
Yes. Kratom can interact with a range of medications, particularly central nervous system depressants, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications. These interactions won’t make kratom more likely to show up on a drug test, but they can affect how your body metabolizes kratom and other substances, potentially influencing detection times or complicating test interpretations. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining kratom with other drugs.
2. Can kratom be mistaken for other substances in drug testing?
In rare cases, low-quality or non-standard tests may return ambiguous results, especially when kratom is used alongside other substances. However, mitragynine and its metabolites are chemically distinct from most substances tested in routine drug panels, so cross-reactivity is uncommon in regulated lab settings.
3. Are there kratom detox products that can โcleanโ your system before a drug test?
While the market is flooded with products claiming to detoxify the body of kratom, there is no clinically validated detox product proven to eliminate kratom alkaloids quickly or reliably. The most effective way to reduce detection risk is time โ allowing your body to naturally metabolize and excrete the compounds.
4. Is it legal for employers to test for kratom?
Yes. Even though kratom is legal in many parts of the U.S., private employers have discretion over their drug testing policies. If kratom use contradicts a company’s drug-free workplace rules or safety standards, testing for it โ especially via custom panels โ is legally permissible.
5. Can using kratom lead to testing for other substances?
In some situations, yes. If kratom use is disclosed or suspected during a medical or legal evaluation, it may prompt broader toxicology testing to screen for other drugs or substance use patterns. This is especially true in addiction treatment programs or forensic settings.
6. What should I do if I fail a drug test and suspect kratom was the cause?
First, request a confirmation test โ such as GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) โ to identify the specific substance responsible. If kratom is implicated, be transparent with your employer or testing authority. In some cases, providing proof of legal use or a doctorโs note may help clarify the situation.
References:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Kratom
- AJPM: Past-Year Kratom Use in the U.S.: Estimates From a Nationally Representative Sample
