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What drugs show up in a hair test

What Drugs Show Up in a Hair Test and How It Benefits Accurate Screening

What drugs show up in a hair test includes common substances such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Hair follicle testing offers a detection window of up to 90 days, making it suitable for employer, court, or probation drug screening. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule a collection at a nearby site.

DRUGS DETECTED

What drugs show up in a hair follicle test?

What drugs show up in a hair follicle test are typically the most commonly abused substances including marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates (codeine, morphine, heroin), amphetamines (including methamphetamine), and phencyclidine (PCP).

Hair drug testing can also detect synthetic cannabinoids and benzodiazepines depending on the panel selected by the requester. The test identifies drug metabolites deposited in the hair shaft from bloodstream exposure.

Marijuana (THC metabolites)
Cocaine and its metabolites
Opiates: morphine, codeine, heroin
Amphetamines and methamphetamine
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Optional: synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines
TESTING DETAILS

What shows up in a hair follicle drug test timeframe-wise?

What shows up in a hair follicle drug test typically reflects drug use within the past 90 days. Hair grows approximately half an inch per month, and standard tests analyze about 1.5 inches of hair closest to the scalp.

This long detection window makes hair testing useful for identifying patterns of drug use rather than recent or one-time use. Drugs ingested days before the test may not appear, whereas use weeks earlier is detectable.

Detection window: up to 90 days
Standard sample length: 1.5 inches of hair
Growth rate: about 0.5 inches per month
Detects repeated or chronic drug use
TESTING PROCESS

How does the hair follicle test detect drugs?

What shows up on a hair follicle test is determined by analyzing the hair shaft for drug metabolites incorporated from the bloodstream during hair growth. This process captures a timeline of drug exposure.

At AMH Nationwide, hair samples are collected at authorized sites and routed to one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. All non-negative results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer.

USAGE AND PURPOSE

Who orders hair follicle drug tests and why?

Employers, courts, probation officers, and individuals use hair follicle drug tests to detect long-term drug use patterns. The test is especially valuable when recent drug use information is insufficient.

Hair testing is not used for Department of Transportation (DOT) safety-sensitive positions, which require urine tests under federally certified protocols. Hair tests are preferred for non-DOT roles or when a longer detection window is needed.

Employers screening for workplace drug use
Court and probation drug monitoring
Individuals seeking drug use history verification
Non-DOT regulated positions

Schedule a Hair Follicle Drug Test Today

Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange a hair drug test at a collection site near you. AMH Nationwide coordinates with top labs and ensures certified review of all results.

TESTING LIMITATIONS

Can hair follicle drug tests detect one-time or passive drug exposure?

Hair follicle drug tests are less sensitive to single-use or very recent drug exposure due to the time needed for drugs to incorporate into hair. Passive exposure is unlikely to produce a positive result at standard cutoff levels.

The test is designed to identify consistent or repeated drug use rather than isolated incidents. The 90-day detection window reflects habitual use rather than immediate consumption.

ORDERING INFORMATION

How do I get a hair follicle drug test through AMH Nationwide?

AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering. To obtain a hair follicle drug test, contact AMH by calling (877) 731-6362 to discuss your testing needs and receive a lab order.

You will be directed to a nearby collection site within the nationwide network. Pricing varies depending on the drug panel and detection window requested. Every test is processed through one of five national lab networks with Medical Review Officer oversight.

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AMH Nationwide Customer Service

AMH Nationwide is BBB A+ accredited and routes every order through Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox, all of which use multiple lab certification agencies and standards such as SAMHSA-aligned laboratory protocols, the ANSI National Accreditation Board for forensic testing and calibration, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Every non-negative screen is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing before a result is released, and chain-of-custody documentation is maintained on every collection. This page does not constitute medical or legal advice.

Last updated: July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Hair follicle tests detect marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, PCP, and sometimes synthetic cannabinoids and benzodiazepines depending on the panel.

Hair testing can detect drug use up to 90 days after ingestion, reflecting long-term patterns rather than recent use.

No. DOT safety-sensitive testing requires federally certified urine tests under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair tests are for non-DOT roles.

Passive exposure rarely causes positive results because hair tests use cutoff levels that minimize false positives from environmental contact.

A small sample of hair, typically 1.5 inches from the scalp, is cut from the head or body at an authorized collection site and sent to a certified lab.

No. AMH Nationwide requires callers to contact (877) 731-6362 to obtain a lab order and be directed to a collection site.

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.

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