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A negative result indicates the absence or trace amounts of tested drugs or their metabolites in the hair sample, signifying no recent drug use within the typical 90-day detection window. It is typically viewed favorably, especially in contexts like employment or legal matters, suggesting compliance with drug-free policies. At-home collection kits allow users to collect hair samples and mail them to a laboratory for analysis. At-home hair follicle drug test kits are available for purchase online and over-the-counter at a variety of retailers.
Can hair collected from a brush be used?
Laboratories have increased the menu of panels available for hair testing beyond the typical 5 panel hair test that was previously the only available test for hair. When a person ingests a drug, it enters into the bloodstream while the body simultaneously metabolizes the drug, causing those metabolites to circulate through the blood as well. Urine drug tests can only identify drug use for approximately a week into an individual’s recent past. For that reason, hair drug or hair alcohol EtG tests are better suited to detect binge or chronic drug usage over a more extended period of time.
How soon after drug use can a drug be detected in hair?
A person may need to undergo drug testing for employment, legal, or medical purposes. The cost of a hair follicle drug test can vary, depending on the kind of hair follicle test ordered (the number of drugs in a screen can differ), where you go for testing, and who ordered the test. A negative result means no drugs or metabolites were found in the sample. The test can detect metabolites of drugs, which are substances made from the breakdown of drugs.
California Drug Testing Locations
Even though these tests are commonly referred to as “hair follicle tests,” hair follicles are not used in the test and hair does not need to be plucked to be tested. Instead, a sample of strands of hair are cut or shaved and those strands are tested. There is a growing interest in hair follicle testing because drug metabolites can remain present in hair from a person’s scalp for up to 3 months. There is a range of different home kits for hair follicle drug testing on the market. People can purchase these kits either directly through the company’s website, from pharmacies, or from online retailers.
What drugs are included in a standard hair drug test?
Always contact your healthcare provider directly with any questions you may have regarding your health or specific medical advice. Blood tests are usually performed at every routine medical checkup, but many times, the results can be... Lab tests are routinely performed by doctors to detect changes in your health.
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DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Services in California
We also see different labs quoting different quantities of hair required for hair drug testing so standardization will be very important. Several hair testing laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics, Omega Laboratories, Psychemedics and US Drug Testing Labs offer hair collection instructional brochures or short web-based video training. It is clear that additional training for collectors is needed as too many specimens are still getting rejected. Often called a hair follicle test, this is not the correct terminology. Testing a hair follicle would involve plucking hair out of the scalp.
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The Future Of Hair Drug Testing
In instances where donors lack the necessary amount of hair on the head for collection, the protocol calls for gathering body hair instead. You can combine hair from multiple areas of the body, such as arms, legs, chest, underarms, and hair below the jawline. It can be collected using collection shears if the hair is of sufficient length, or with a single-use disposable razor.
Role of Supervised Testing
If an initial screening yields non-negative results, then they will undergo additional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmation testing. This allows individuals that may be legitimately taking prescription medication a chance to provide authorized proof to our doctors. As long as the individual takes the medication in accordance with the prescribed dosage, then the final report will list the result as a “negative”. There are several types of hair drug test panels available, depending on the substances you want to test for. The most common tests ordered are 5-panel and 12-panel tests; however, you can find comprehensive testing for any and all combinations of drug and alcohol use. Most hair drug tests can detect heavy or regular use of certain illicit substances over the past three months.

Other affiliates operated under the Quest® brand, such as Quest Consumer Inc., do not provide HIPAA covered services. Quest Diagnostics standard screen usually requires a cosmetically undetectable lock of hair preferably snipped from the back of the head, just below the crown. In general, the amount needed equates to a single row of hairs approximately one (1) centimeter wide. The content provided here and elsewhere on the Solv Health site or mobile app is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as, and Solv Health, Inc. does not provide, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Unlike other drug tests, hair follicle drug tests are not recommended for testing occasional use. Instead, hair drug testing can provide a rough timeline of drug use over an extended period. These tests can help detect chronic substance use and help track the duration of drug use, and they can also indicate periods of abstinence. Marijuana can be detected in a hair follicle drug test for an extended period, typically up to 90 days or even longer after use. This prolonged detection window is due to the deposition of hair tests for THC metabolites into hair follicles as hair grows, making it a reliable method for identifying past marijuana use over several months.

Following is the comprehensive table describing specific drugs and substances that a hair follicle drug test is typically designed to detect. Hair follicle drug tests have become increasingly popular for their reliability in detecting drug use. Shampoos and other products marketed to beat hair drug tests are largely ineffective. Unlike urine tests, which can be tampered with by dilution, substitution, or adulteration, hair tests are difficult to manipulate because the sample is collected under direct supervision. Additionally, according to the University of Richmond, hair follicle tests may come back positive for people who may have been exposed to certain drugs without actually using them.
The hair sample drug test is an ideal procedure both for regular workplace screening and especially for pre-employment screening. For EtG hair testing and for 12 or more drug panels, additional hair is needed 150 mg is recommended. Hair can be collected from several body locations (excluding pubic areas) and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. For body hair, collect at least 100mg of hair and more if the test is for EtG hair testing and if testing for 12 or more drugs.
Drug testing is becoming an increasingly important component of safety, security and operations across many industries. For professional and commercial transport, it’s an especially crucial component, as both the safety of passengers and/or cargo are now also a part of the equation. Drug use for drivers, pilots and other vehicle operators can have tremendously negative effects on the road, the rail, or even in the air. In workplaces, drug use doesn’t just affect the individual user, it has a domino effect on work and the co-workers in the environment, affecting relationships and efficiency. By understanding an individual’s past substance use, employers can gain a fuller picture of their potential hires or even current employee drug use.
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