How common are hair drug tests
Understanding How Common Hair Drug Tests Are and Their Benefits
How common are hair drug tests? Hair drug tests are increasingly used by employers and legal entities because they detect drug use over a 90-day period and are difficult to alter. Hair follicle drug testing is less common than urine testing but valued for its extended detection window. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule testing or learn more.
How common are hair drug tests in workplace and legal settings?
Hair drug tests are less common than urine drug screens but are frequently used in specific scenarios where long-term drug use history is important. Employers in safety-sensitive industries and legal authorities often order hair follicle drug tests for their ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior.
Hair follicle drug testing is common in industries requiring thorough background screening, including transportation, construction, and government contractors. It is also used in probation and child custody cases where a longer detection window is necessary.
How is hair follicle drug testing conducted and processed?
Hair follicle drug tests involve collecting a small sample of hair, typically 1.5 inches from the scalp, which represents approximately 90 days of drug use history. The sample is sent to one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox.
All non-negative results undergo review by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) to ensure accuracy and proper interpretation. AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and directs individuals to authorized collection sites. There is no online ordering available.
Are hair follicle drug tests common compared to urine or saliva tests?
Hair follicle drug tests are less common than urine and saliva tests overall but are preferred when a longer detection window is required. Urine tests detect recent drug use within days, while hair tests detect drug metabolites deposited in hair over months.
Saliva testing is usually for immediate detection within 24-48 hours and is less invasive. Hair testing is chosen when employers or courts need evidence of drug use over extended periods rather than recent use.
| Test Type | Typical Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Urine Drug Test | 1-7 days |
| Hair Follicle Drug Test | Up to 90 days |
| Saliva Drug Test | 24-48 hours |
Who typically orders hair follicle drug testing?
Hair follicle drug tests are ordered by employers in safety-sensitive industries, legal professionals in probation or custody cases, and individuals seeking comprehensive drug use history. It is not commonly used for random workplace testing due to cost and collection requirements.
Employers require hair testing when they need a reliable, tamper-resistant method to evaluate long-term drug use. Courts may order hair tests as part of monitoring conditions or verifying compliance with drug-related mandates.
Schedule Your Hair Follicle Drug Test Today
AMH Nationwide coordinates hair follicle drug testing through top national labs with certified MRO review. Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange testing or get answers to your questions.
How long can hair follicle drug tests detect drug use?
Hair follicle drug testing detects drug metabolites incorporated into hair shafts as they grow, providing a detection window of up to 90 days. This makes it effective for identifying patterns of drug use rather than recent or single-use events.
The detection window depends on hair length; typically, 1.5 inches of hair represents about three months. Drugs cannot be detected if hair is too short or absent, but alternative specimen types may be used when hair testing is not feasible.
How reliable and accurate are hair drug tests?
Hair follicle drug tests are highly reliable when collected and processed correctly through certified labs. The involvement of a Medical Review Officer ensures non-negative results are thoroughly evaluated to confirm accuracy and rule out false positives.
Hair testing is less susceptible to adulteration or substitution compared to urine tests. However, hair color, cosmetic treatments, and environmental exposure may affect results, and labs account for these factors during analysis.
Common Questions
Hair drug tests detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days, but a single use may be harder to identify depending on timing and hair growth. They are better at detecting patterns of repeated use.
Yes, hair color and cosmetic treatments can influence test results. Certified labs use methods to minimize these effects and ensure accurate interpretation.
Hair tests primarily detect drug metabolites incorporated internally, so passive exposure is unlikely to cause a positive result.
No, DOT testing requires federally certified urine protocols under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair testing is used for non-DOT safety-sensitive roles or other purposes.
Call (877) 731-6362 to have AMH Nationwide provide the lab order and direct you to a nearby collection site. There is no online ordering available.
Yes, pricing depends on the specific drug panel and detection window requested. Contact AMH Nationwide at (877) 731-6362 for a detailed quote.
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.