What Is Kratom and Why Are Organizations Paying Attention?
Kratom may not be as familiar as THC, fentanyl, or opioids, but it is increasingly part of conversations around substance use and drug screening.
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Its primary active compounds include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom products are sold in several forms, including powders, capsules, extracts, and beverages.
One reason kratom can be confusing is that its effects can vary depending on the product, amount consumed, and other factors. People report using kratom for reasons ranging from energy and mood to managing discomfort or opioid withdrawal. However, kratom can also carry risks, including dependence and adverse effects.
For employers, treatment and recovery programs, and other organizations that conduct drug screening, another important distinction is often overlooked: kratom is not the same as a traditional opioid, even though its active compounds interact with opioid receptors.
That matters when discussing drug testing.
Seeing "opioids" or "opiates" listed on a drug testing panel does not necessarily mean the test is designed to detect kratom. Understanding what a test actually screens for is more important than relying on the panel number or general drug category.
We'll explore that distinction in Part 2.
Fact Friday takeaway:
Kratom is a distinct substance with its own active compounds, making it important to understand separately when evaluating drug screening needs.
Using a credible resource for drug screening supplies helps support consistency and reliability across your program.
