--- title: "What drugs show up in a hair test" description: "Learn what drugs show up in a hair test with accurate detection info from AMH Nationwide. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing guidance and lab locations." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["what drugs show up in a hair test", "what drugs show up in a hair test | what shows up in a hair follicle test | what shows up on hair follicle test | what drugs show up in a hair follicle test | what drugs show up in hair follicle test | what drugs show up on a hair follicle test | what drugs show up on hair follicle test | what shows up in a hair follicle drug test | what shows up in hair follicle drug test | what shows up on a hair drug test"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/what-drugs-show-up-in-a-hair-test/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # What drugs show up in a hair test **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Learn what drugs show up in a hair test with accurate detection info from AMH Nationwide. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing guidance and lab locations. --- 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](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-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](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), 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](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-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](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) 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. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) 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. AMH Reviewed & Maintained By 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](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing)-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 You May Also Need [Nail Drug TestingNo head or body hair available? A 5-panel fingernail test covers a similar look-back window.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-fingernail-drug-test/)[ChildGuard: Environmental ExposureConcerned about a child or loved one? ChildGuard screens for exposure to drugs in their environment.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-hair-drug-test-environmental-exposure-childguard/)[Shorten the Detection WindowShortened options like 30 and 60 day hair panels are also available, useful when a urine test’s 1-3 day window is too short.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/30-day-hair-drug-test/)[Hair ETG Alcohol TestAlso need alcohol testing? The hair ETG test screens for alcohol use, and can be added to the same collection.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/etg-and-peth/) 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](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40). 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. Sources • [SAMHSA – Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing) • [U.S. DOT – 49 CFR Part 40 – Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40) • [CDC – National Center for Health Statistics – Drug Use FastStats](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use.htm) • [Quest Diagnostics – Employer Solutions, Hair Testing Methodology](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/) • [LabCorp – Occupational Testing Services](https://www.labcorp.com/) ## 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. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) --- **Need a drug, alcohol, HIV or STD test?** AMH Nationwide is a national lab testing agency operating since 2004, with more than 20,000 collection sites across the United States. Hair, urine, fingernail and blood testing, panels from 5 through 19, for individuals and employers. - Call: (877) 731-6377 - Find a collection site: https://amhnationwide.com/locations/ - Full page: https://amhnationwide.com/what-drugs-show-up-in-a-hair-test/