Does the Military Test for Kratom?
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, has been gaining popularity in the last few years as an herbal supplement with potential medical benefits. However, despite its growing use, concerns over its potential for harm, particularly among military personnel, have led to several queries about whether the military tests for kratom use. In this article, we will delve into this topic and provide a straightforward answer to the question and further discuss the implications and current policies surrounding kratom in the military.
**Direct Answer to the Question: Yes, the Military Tests for Kratom**
According to various government and military sources, yes, the military does test for kratom use as part of its standard random urine drug testing ( Rutledge, 2021) (DoD Directive, 2016).
Here are some key details regarding the military’s position on kratom and how they test for it:
What is tested: Urine samples are primarily tested for the following specific biomarkers of kratom:
• Mitragynine: The psychoactive alkaloid found in high concentrations in kratom extracts.
• Mitrophanthine: Another alkaloid found in lesser concentrations in kratom, which can be identified by immunoassays and chromatography techniques.
• Other compounds: Occasionally, other compounds extracted from kratom, like ajmalicine, 14-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, may also be identified.
How they test: The military follows strict protocols for drug testing, which involve a tiered approach:
- Initial screening: Preliminary tests using immunoassays (ELISAs or EIA/IRMA) are designed to detect the presence of potential drugs, including those for kratom.
- Confirmation testing: A more specific and targeted assay is used to detect specific biomarkers, either a Gas Chromatograph (GC) or Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (MS/MS). This step helps establish whether the initial positive findings were due to kratom.
- Expert-level testing: If more evidence is needed, testing involves specialized techniques like thin layer chromatography (TLC) or High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to corroborate the presence of targeted substances.
What consequences could arise: In line with military regulations and medical criteria, positive tests for kratom use can result in negative consequences, including:
Counseling: Health service providers may offer guidance for proper use, harm prevention, and potential cessation. Failure to comply might necessitate further action.
Administrative actions: Personnel faced with positive tests might risk fines, penalties, penalties (e.g., suspensions, demotions or reduced pay), or – for more severe cases of reckless use – potential elimination of their security clearance status.
Medical concerns and rehabilitation: In some extreme circumstances, kratom-use could lead to medical issues severe enough to warrant treatment options for withdrawal, substance disorder recovery, or other interventions that disrupt service.
Why is there increased scrutiny?:
• Medical controversy: Kratom poses unclear health risks and might trigger addiction, interactions, and overdose risks. Moreover, the long-term benefits have not been extensively researched due to limited studies and unregistered status.
• Legislative action and research: In recent times, lawmakers have initiated moves to regulate kratom distribution or study its potential drawbacks as part of ongoing public service considerations.
• Steady rise in utilization among military personnel: Studies confirm a growing interest for Kratom among the public forces, which prompts monitoring concerns due to its mixed records of safety, unclarified effects, as well as the importance these uniformed personnel place.
By testing for kratom in military personnel, decision makers can:
- Ensure safety compliance, by monitoring adherence to regulated substance use guidelines; addressing any potential threats while deployed or on base due to untested or novel medications.
- Develop data for policy recommendations and future research: Military efforts help create more nuanced policies, and their analyses have potential to influence civil life.
- Minimize the risk of any hazardous substance use becoming norm, preventing peer group pressure and contamination: Fostering awareness leads members to be cautious & adopt responsible habits, curtail risky behaviors & stop peers from adopting bad methods.
Conclusion: Conclusion**
The military’s concerns with kratom stem mainly from its unclear long-term side effects, addictive features and unproven validity and effectiveness. Kratom itself, as well is tested by the US Departments Military Health, Military drug agencies and other public government for a variety of dangerous ingredients, which has no formal regulatory status within medicine circles.
What Steps Individuals Can Take
Whether the military tests for you matters, but remember – whether kratom’s true intentions, it can hurt – you, or they that depend on your.
Don’t risk health threats nor harm your relationships / positions.
1 Take Professional Guidance: Speak To The Experts, or Doctors If You Have Queries Prior Starting Your Kratom Exploration and Monitor Your Results Throughout Therapy.
2 Manage Work-Related Expectations & Priorities: Coordinate And Organize Tasks Ahead so as to prevent negative situations in your military.
3 Stay Vigiant – Report Any Negative Developments: Keep The Eyes (Eyes Wide Opens)! Be Aware, Learn All, and Invert Alert.
Remember it.: Kratom In general can be beneficial: just, but remember To Know, Understand And Obey Rules, Stay Properly Informed When Attempting To Take Advantages.
