While kratom is not an opiate, it can sometimes lead to false positive results for other opioids on certain drug tests.
Understanding Kratom vs. Opiates/Opioids
It's crucial to distinguish between kratom and traditional opiates or opioids:
- Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain unique alkaloids like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects that can be stimulating at low doses and sedative at higher doses. However, kratom's chemical structure is distinct from that of poppy-derived opiates.
- Opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy (e.g., morphine, codeine).
- Opioids is a broader term encompassing both natural opiates and synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs that mimic their effects (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, fentanyl, methadone).
Despite some similar pharmacological effects due to receptor interaction, kratom is not chemically classified as an opiate or opioid.
Kratom Detection in Drug Tests
Most standard drug tests, such as typical 5-panel or 10-panel urine screens, are designed to detect common illicit drugs and prescription medications, not specifically kratom.
Here's how kratom detection typically works:
- Standard Drug Panels: These tests usually screen for substances like cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). Kratom alkaloids are generally not included in these routine screens.
- Specialized Kratom Tests: Specific urine or blood tests designed to detect mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (kratom's primary alkaloids) do exist. However, these tests are much less common and must be explicitly requested by the employer or probation officer.
- Hair Follicle Tests: While these can detect substances for longer periods, they are also not routinely used to screen for kratom unless specifically ordered.
The Nuance: False Positives for Opioids
Even though standard tests don't target kratom, there's a possibility of a false positive result for other opioids:
- Cross-Reactivity: It is possible that high concentrations of kratom or its metabolites may trigger false positives for other opioids, such as methadone. This happens because some screening tests use antibodies that might react with chemically similar compounds, even if they aren't the target drug.
- Metabolite Interference: The way kratom is broken down by the body can produce metabolites that, to a less specific drug screen, might appear similar to those of other opioids.
- Test Sensitivity: Less precise initial screening tests are more susceptible to false positives compared to highly accurate confirmatory tests.
What Happens After a Positive Screen?
If an initial drug screening test yields a positive result for an opioid after kratom use, a confirmatory test is critical. These advanced laboratory tests, such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), are highly specific and can accurately differentiate between kratom alkaloids and actual opioid compounds. Confirmatory tests can distinguish whether the positive screen was due to kratom or a true opioid.
Summary of Detection & False Positives
| Test Type | Common Detection for Kratom? | Risk of False Positive for Opioids? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Urine Panel | No | Possible (especially high doses) |
| Specialized Kratom Test | Yes | Not applicable (designed for kratom) |
| Confirmatory Lab Test (GC-MS/LC-MS) | Yes (if specifically ordered) | Very Low (highly accurate) |
In essence, while kratom itself is not an opiate, and standard drug tests typically don't look for it, its unique chemical makeup can occasionally lead to an incorrect positive result for other opioids on initial screening tests, necessitating further, more precise laboratory confirmation.
