There are currently no federal laws against kratom possession in the U.S., though several states have banned or limited access to it. Can you be punished if you have it in your system? Does kratom show up on a drug test?
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What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a substance that is naturally produced by Mitragyna speciosa, a type of evergreen tree that is native to several Southeast Asian nations. Historically, people in regions where this plant grows have chewed on its leaves or brewed it into teas due to its stimulant- and opioid-like properties.
In the United States, kratom is often sold as an herbal supplement. Though kratom has not yet been prohibited by the federal government, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public about its dangers, noting that it is “not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement” and is “an unsafe food additive.”
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Generally speaking, drug screens are differentiated in two ways: by the samples they analyze and by the drugs they’re designed to detect. To answer the question, does kratom show up on a drug test, we need to take both of these characteristics into account.
Types of drug tests
If you have to complete a standard drug screen for your job, you’ll most likely be given a five-panel test. As its name suggests, this type of test is designed to detect five kinds of substances:
- Cannabis (marijuana)
- Cocaine (powder and crack)
- Opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, and morphine
- Amphetamines including crystal meth
- Phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust)
Another common type of drug screen is a 10-panel test. These tests look for the five substances above as well as:
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Propoxyphene.
There are also 7-, 12-, and 14-panel tests. The 7-panel option adds barbiturates and benzodiazepines to the 5-panel list, while the 12- and 14- panel versions may add various substances to the 10-panel list.
Kratom is unlikely to show up on a standard 5-, 7-, or 10-panel test, because those screens aren’t set up to detect it. But it may show up on some 12- or 14-panel tests, as well as other screens that have been created for that purpose.
Types of samples
Even if you’re taking a test that has been specifically designed to find evidence of kratom use, and you’ve used the drug, that still doesn’t guarantee that you will test positive. Your risk of a positive result can depend on how long ago you last used kratom and what type of sample you’re required to provide (urine, saliva, blood, or hair follicles):
- Urine: The detection window for a urine test is around three to five days after the last time you used kratom.
- Saliva: Kratom will usually only be detectable in saliva for about 24-48 hours (one to two days) after your most recent use of the drug.
- Blood: Blood tests will typically be able find evidence of kratom use for 24-72 hours (or up to three days) after you stopped using the drug.
- Hair: Though hair tests aren’t common, they can return a positive for a much longer time than screens based on other samples. When your body breaks down kratom to prepare it for elimination, the process creates byproducts called metabolites. Some kratom metabolites are absorbed into hair follicles, where they can be detected for up to 90 days (three months).
Other influences
The type of screen you take and the sample you provide are the two most influential factors in determining if kratom will show up on a drug test. But they’re not the only ones. The length of time that kratom is detectable in your system can also vary depending on:
- Your age, gender, and metabolism
- How long you’ve been using kratom and how much you’ve used
- If you have also been taking certain prescription medications or using certain other recreational substances
- If you have any medical problems that could interfere with your metabolism, such as kidney or liver damage
Can You Get Kratom Out of Your System More Quickly?
Once you’ve used kratom, there’s not much you can do to speed up the internal processes that break the drug into component parts and prepare it for elimination. In other words, you just have to wait and let nature take its course.
If you’re concerned about kratom showing up on a drug test, the best advice is to stop using it immediately and never start using it again. If you’ve only used it a few times, that shouldn’t be much of a problem. But if you have been ingesting kratom for a while now, you may have developed an addiction to the drug, which can complicate your efforts to stop using it.
Signs of addiction
Potential warning signs that you’ve become addicted to kratom include:
- Using kratom in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than you intended
- Failing to take care of your responsibilities at home, in school, or at work because of your kratom use
- Lying or otherwise deceiving friends and family about the amount and frequency of your kratom use
- Reducing or ending your participation in important activities because of your kratom use
- Continuing to use kratom after experiencing some type of physical, psychological, or social damage that was caused or worsened by your prior use of the drug
- Developing tolerance, which means that you need to use more kratom than you used to in order to experience the same effects
- Having withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using kratom
Withdrawal symptoms
When you’ve used kratom long enough, and your body has adapted to the continued presence of the drug, abruptly stopping can throw your system into temporary imbalance. As your body works to regain full control of the internal functions that had been altered by your kratom use, you may experience considerable physical and psychological discomfort.
According to a 2020 article in the journal Current Drug Targets, the physical symptoms of kratom withdrawal may involve:
- Fever and chills
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Muscle pain
- Generalized body aches
- Appetite loss
- Diarrhea
- Itchiness
- Tics and tremors
- Insomnia
From a psychological perspective, kratom withdrawal can trigger:
- Powerful cravings or urges
- Anxiety and irritability
- Restlessness
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
Find Kratom Addiction Treatment in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Recovery Center offers personalized outpatient treatment at the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels. We serve adults whose lives have been disrupted by addictions to kratom and other drugs, as well as those who also have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.
For specifics about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
