TL;DR – Kratom is NOT detectable on many standard drug tests, such as a 5-panel drug test, but is detectable when using a 10-panel drug test (and 12-panel/16-panel drug tests); the substance can be detected for up to 7 days after use.
Kratom comes from a tree that grows in Asia and is related to the plants that produce coffee. The people in the region are grown to consume the leaves that create a mild stimulant effect. This increases energy and physical productivity. Other people use Kratom to relieve pain or for other medicinal purposes. Nowadays, Kratom can be purchased in many forms in the US, like capsules, powder, or leaf form to be brewed into a tea. When Kratom is consumed in lower doses, it acts as a stimulant, but when consumed in higher quantities, the effects mimic opiates and cause sedation and pain relief.
While the DEA does not classify Kratom as a controlled substance at this time, it is considered a concern in our country. In 2016, the DEA sought to make Kratom a Schedule 1 substance, stating that it offered zero medical benefits and was highly likely to abuse. However, after multiple complaints, the DEA chose to reverse their decision, and this substance remains legal in the United States today.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Urine Test?
Kratom is not detectable on many standard drug tests, such as a 5-panel drug test, but some kratom alkaloids can be identified on specific drug tests that involve urine or blood. There is also a drug test that tests explicitly for Kratom. It is known as a 10-panel drug test. When using a 10-panel drug test (and 12-panel/16-panel drug tests), the substance can be detected for up to 7 days after use, but many variables can influence how long the drug can be detected in a person’s system, including:
- Fat percentage and body weight: Kratom is known to stay longer in the system of someone with a heavier bodyweight.
- A person’s age: Older people metabolize drugs more slowly than younger people.
- Metabolic rate
- The amount of Kratom used
- Other substances that may have been consumed: Combining drugs affects the rate they eliminate from your body.
- Health problems
- Liver function: A person with liver disease may metabolize substances more slowly.
Often Kratom is used to help people wean themselves off of the opioids they are abusing. It is also used purely as a recreational drug. Unfortunately, due to lack of research, there is not much known about the long-term effects of using this drug, but it is possible to abuse it due to the impact it produces in small and large doses.
Kratom abuse and addiction should be treated just as seriously as addiction to any other substance. Getting help for this is just as crucial, and that is what we are here for. We offer many different treatment options that best fit your needs. They provide therapeutic education and guidance for every individual in our care. With the help of our therapists and staff, we can offer you one-on-one, group therapy, and other specialized options depending on a person’s needs.
What drug tests do they use in court?
Treatment for Kratom Dependency
Addiction treatment requires a multi-layered approach to obtain maximum success, which is why we treat a person as a whole and not just their addiction problems. We want to ensure you have every tool you need to be successful when you return to your normal life. You do not have to go on this journey alone. Our admissions counselors are available at any time. We are ready to help you or your loved one overcome this disease. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.