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When facing a looming hair follicle drug test, it’s only natural to feel worry and stress. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, it is possible to pass this type of drug screen. This in-depth guide will explore hair follicle testing procedures and cover evidence-based strategies to effectively detoxify your hair of drug toxins. Table of Contents Understanding the Hair Follicle Drug Test A hair follicle drug test examines hair strands for traces of drug metabolites that become trapped in the hair as it grows out of the scalp. Hair grows at an average rate of 1-1.5 inches per month, so a hair sample longer than 1.5 inches indicates drug use within the past 90 days. Different sections of the hair strand can reveal a timeline of substance use over several months prior to the test. How the Hair Follicle Test Works During the test, several strands of hair are collected, usually from the scalp or other body hair like arm or leg follicles. An initial screen is done by an immunoassay, then positive samples undergo Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for confirmation. The GC/MS method can detect drug use within the past 3 months for marijuana, 6 months for cocaine, and up to 90 days for other substances like opiates, PCP and amphetamines.
How Long Does Weed Stay in A Hair Follicle THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, is fat-soluble and can remain in the body for extended periods. Hair follicle tests have the ability to detect THC up to 90 days after use. Even occasional or one-time marijuana use could trigger a positive result depending on the cutoff levels of the specific drug test. Regular or heavy cannabis smokers may even test positive for over 6 months, as THC stays in the body’s fatty tissues. What the Hair Follicle Drug Test Examines Unlike urine tests that only show recent drug use within the past 3 days, hair follicle drug screens offer a longer detection window into substance abuse patterns over several months prior: – Marijuana – up to 90 days – Cocaine – up to 90 days – Opiates – up to 90 days – PCP – up to 90 days – Amphetamines – up to 90 days – Methamphetamines – up to 90 days – MDMA/Molly – up to 90 days Scenarios of People Having to Pass a Hair Drug Test Some common scenarios where individuals may need to pass a hair follicle drug test include: – Court-ordered drug testing as part of probation – Pre-employment screening for safety sensitive jobs – Random workplace drug testing programs – Child custody disputes requiring parents to be drug-free – Athletes subject to anti-doping regulations
Hair Follicle Drug Test Procedures The standard hair drug testing procedure involves: 1. A certified technician collects 30-50 strands of hair, typically from the back or side of the scalp for greater follicle yield. 2. The sample is tested via immunoassay, either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). 3. If the initial screen is positive, a confirmation test using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is required due to the more precise results it provides. 4. Results are reported to the entity requiring the drug screening, such as a probation officer or employer’s medical review officer. Role of Supervised Testing Most pre-employment and legal hair drug tests are directly observed or monitored collections to ensure sample authenticity and prevent tampering or substitution. The collector watches and verifies that the individual actually removed their own hair sample without any outside help or products that could alter results. Interpreting Drug Test Results After laboratory analysis, hair test results will typically be reported as either: – Negative – No drugs or metabolite levels above the cutoff threshold detected. – Positive – Drugs or metabolite concentrations exceed the specified cutoff limit. – Diluted, adulterated or substituted – Attempt made to alter the sample.