What is a hair follicle drug test
What Is a Hair Follicle Drug Test and How It Provides Long-Term Drug Detection
What is a hair follicle drug test? It is a laboratory analysis that detects drug use by examining a small sample of hair, revealing substance use over a period of up to 90 days. This test is highly accurate and used by employers, courts, and probation agencies. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule a test or get more information.
What is a hair follicle drug test?
A hair follicle drug test is a type of drug screening that analyzes a small sample of hair to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites. Unlike urine or saliva tests that detect recent use, hair testing can identify drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days.
Hair follicle drug tests are commonly used by employers, courts, probation officers, and individuals who need reliable long-term drug detection. The test involves collecting a small hair sample, usually from the scalp, which is then sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.
How does hair follicle testing work?
Hair follicle testing works by detecting drug metabolites that enter the hair shaft from the bloodstream after drug consumption. As hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, the test can reveal drug use over several months by analyzing the length of the hair sample.
The collection process involves cutting a small amount of hair close to the scalp, typically about 1.5 inches, which corresponds to roughly a 90-day detection window. The sample is then sent to one of five national labs for analysis. Every non-negative result is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and proper interpretation.
What do hair follicle drug tests test for?
Hair follicle drug tests screen for a range of commonly abused substances. The specific drugs tested depend on the panel ordered but typically include:
Testing can detect drugs and their metabolites incorporated into the hair shaft, providing evidence of use over weeks to months. The tests do not detect alcohol use but can identify drugs such as opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabinoids, and more.
What are the limitations of hair follicle testing?
Hair follicle drug tests offer a long detection window but have limitations. They do not detect very recent drug use within the past 5 to 7 days because the hair containing the drug metabolites has not yet grown above the scalp.
Additionally, hair color, texture, and cosmetic treatments can affect test results but laboratories use scientifically validated methods to minimize these impacts. Passive exposure to drugs in the environment is unlikely to cause a positive result due to the metabolites needing to be incorporated internally through the bloodstream.
Schedule Your Hair Follicle Drug Test Today
Call (877) 731-6362 to arrange your hair follicle drug test at a nearby collection site. AMH Nationwide will provide the lab order and guide you through the process.
Who uses hair follicle drug testing?
Hair follicle drug tests are used by employers for pre-employment and random drug screening, especially when long-term drug use history is relevant. Courts and probation agencies use these tests to monitor compliance with drug-free mandates.
Individuals may also request hair drug testing for personal reasons such as family safety or legal cases. DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing does not use hair testing; it requires federally certified urine testing under 49 CFR Part 40.
How do I get a hair follicle drug test?
AMH Nationwide facilitates hair follicle drug testing by providing the laboratory order and directing you to one of over 20,000 nationwide collection sites. There is no online ordering; you must call to arrange testing.
The collected hair sample is sent to one of five national labs: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox. Results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer before reporting. Pricing varies by test panel and detection window. Call (877) 731-6362 for scheduling or more information.
Common Questions
Hair follicle drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days prior to the test by analyzing hair growth containing drug metabolites.
No, hair follicle tests generally cannot detect drug use within the past 5 to 7 days because the hair containing metabolites has not yet emerged from the scalp.
Hair follicle drug tests do not detect alcohol consumption. Other tests like blood or urine are used to assess alcohol use.
Cosmetic treatments like bleaching or dyeing may impact results, but certified labs use validated methods to minimize these effects.
No, DOT-regulated safety-sensitive testing requires federally certified urine testing under 49 CFR Part 40. Hair testing is for non-DOT roles.
All non-negative hair follicle drug test results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and proper interpretation.
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.