Hair Follicle Drug Test: Complete Guide | AMH Nationwide
Hair Follicle Drug Test Guide for Reliable Long-Term Drug Screening
The hair follicle drug test guide covers how this test detects drug use over up to 90 days by analyzing hair samples. It is widely used for employment, legal, and forensic purposes. Collection is simple and non-invasive at national lab sites. Call (877) 731-6362 to start your hair follicle drug test today.
What is a hair follicle drug test?
A hair follicle drug test is a laboratory analysis that detects drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft. It identifies drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days, by examining a small sample of hair usually taken from the scalp.
This test provides a longer detection window than urine or saliva tests, making it valuable for screening past drug use rather than recent consumption.
Who orders hair follicle drug tests?
Hair follicle drug tests are commonly ordered by employers, legal agencies, probation officers, and rehabilitation programs. They are often used for pre-employment screening, random drug testing, and compliance monitoring.
Because of its extended detection window, it is preferred when long-term drug use history is relevant. It is not used for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing, which requires urine testing under federal protocols.
What is the detection window for hair follicle drug tests?
Hair follicle drug tests detect drug use from approximately 7 days after use up to 90 days prior. Hair grows about half an inch per month, and a 1.5-inch sample is typically analyzed to cover this 3-month period.
Drugs detected include cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, marijuana, PCP, and others depending on the panel ordered.
How is the hair follicle drug test collected?
Collection involves cutting a small sample of hair close to the scalp, usually from the crown of the head. The sample size is about 100-120 strands or the width of a pencil.
The process is quick, painless, and non-invasive. The collected hair is sealed and sent to one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox for analysis.
No online ordering is available; AMH provides the lab order and directs the requester to an approved collection site.
Ready to Schedule Your Hair Follicle Drug Test?
Call (877) 731-6362 to get your lab order and find a collection site near you. Our team will guide you through the process.
What happens after hair follicle collection?
After collection, the hair sample is sent to the designated national laboratory for testing. The laboratory extracts drug metabolites from the hair and performs a screening test.
If the initial screen is positive, a confirmatory test using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is performed.
Every non-negative result is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) to ensure accuracy and interpret findings.
How do I get started with a hair follicle drug test?
To start a hair follicle drug test, contact AMH Nationwide by calling (877) 731-6362. Our staff will provide the lab order and direct you to a nearby collection site within one of the five national lab networks.
Pricing varies depending on the drug panel and detection window required. Call for a quote and to schedule your collection appointment. AMH does not offer online ordering.
Common Questions
Hair follicle drug tests generally cannot detect drug use within the past 7 days because it takes time for metabolites to be incorporated into growing hair.
Chemical treatments like bleaching or dyeing can reduce metabolite levels in hair but usually do not prevent detection. Laboratories account for this during analysis.
Yes, body hair can be used as an alternative; however, detection windows may vary and are less precise than scalp hair samples.
Results typically take 3 to 5 business days after the lab receives the hair sample, depending on the lab’s workload.
No, AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and directs you to authorized collection sites within the five national lab networks.
No, DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing requires urine testing under the federally certified protocol per 49 CFR Part 40. Hair follicle tests are used for non-DOT roles.
Ready to get started?
AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and arranges collection nationwide. Every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 or contact us.