Hair Follicle Drug Test FAQ: Drug Testing Information

When it comes to reading hair follicle drug test information, it is important to take note of the guidelines that are being followed by drug testing laboratories. Understanding and remembering these guidelines can help you pass this type of drug test by educating you on how the procedure is done and what protocols are being followed. Here are some of these guidelines.

What kind of drugs does it detect?

As mandated by the federal government, a hair drug test is designed to detect phencyclidine (PCP), methamphetamine (Ecstasy), opiates (morphine, codeine), marijuana and cocaine. This drug test can detect these types of drugs as long as they are ingested within 90 days.

How do laboratories obtain hair samples?

A sample is directly cut from the person's head using a non-contaminated scissor and is always cut as close to the scalp as possible. Though the length of the sample may depend on the policies of the laboratory, many facilities gather 90-120 hair strands that are 1.5 inches long. Hair samples from other sources such as a brush are not accepted by laboratories to ensure that the samples are not tampered in any way.

What is the protocol for people with little or no hair?

For people with limited or short hair, samples are collected from different head location in order to obtain the necessary amount. In the event that there is not enough hair in the head, body hair will be collected. Urine and other types of drug tests are ordered for people who cannot supply the required amount of hair.

Is it Possible to Pass a Drug Test?

Drug testing today is quite common, and perhaps soon it will even be mandatory. If you are applying for a job, you might be asked to take a drug test. Of course, you are under no obligation to submit to one, unless you were working in safety or transportation. However, the employer is not obliged to hire you either. If you do not take drugs, then you do not have to worry about it. Even if your test triggered a false positive, then you can always take another test. However, what if you do have something to be worried about? What is you occasionally take drugs and got called for a testing? What can you do?

If you have some time, then you may not have to be worried. You might be able to allow you body to naturally metabolize and get rid of the drug traces. You could help it out and drink liquids and exercise to sweat. However, if you needto pass a hair follicle drug test, it might be difficult. To pass a hair follicle drug test, you need to remove all traces of drugs from your hair. You might be able to use a special shampoo, but if you use frequently, you might have to actually shave your hair.

How Does a Hair Drug Test Work?

Drug testing is starting to become a normal part of getting employment nowadays. Right now, it’s normal for people who work in safety, transportation, and most government projects to be tested for drug use, after all, most of these jobs have big consequences. That said, you should probably know how these drug tests work. A drug test goes on the principle that when you take drugs, come traces are left in the body. The tester then took some sample from the body, like urine, blood, hair etc., and mixes special chemicals, which then react if there is traces left in the sample.

Most labs use urine testing, because this is the cheapest and least invasive. However, these tests were easy to beat which is why more sophisticated tests were developed. One such test is hair follicle drug testing. How does this work? Much like the other types of testing, hair follicle drug testing was used to find traces of drug use in the hair. The tester takes a sample of hair and then adds chemicals to it to find out if you have been taking drugs. Hair drug tests are difficult to beat because it’s hard to remove traces of drugs from the hair.

What Can I Do to Pass a Drug Test?

Many agencies these days require drug tests especially if you are looking for a job, and if legislators had their way, they would make drug tests in many ways. While some may say these tests infringe on our freedoms, it does make sense for people in safety and transportation to be tested regularly. If you have to take a drug test and perhaps you did not mean to take drugs, then you must find a way to pass your drug test. Passing a drug test depends on what kind of drug test will be given.

The urine drug test is perhaps the easiest to pass. If you are a light user then the drug traces should leave the body in 72 hours. All you have to do is stop and wait. Passing a hair follicle drug test is hard. Some people may say that passing hair follicle drug test is impossible. If you are not a heavy user and you’ve only used it once or twice then you may be able to use special shampoos to get rid of the traces of drugs. If you are a regular user, then the only way to pass a hair drug test is by shaving off all your hair and letting it regrow.

Types of Drug Tests

Many organizations these days do drug testing on their employees. These are also used regularly for people who may be on probation or parole. There are different types of drug tests today.

The first and most common type is perhaps the urine drug test. This type of tests uses the urine from the subject and drugs or metabolites are screened using different methods. For example, the cheapest type is called the EMIT or Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique is used. However, it is not that accurate, and if any drug is detected, then a second, more accurate test should be done, like Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. Other urine drug tests include RIA and FPI, which are more expensive, but also more sensitive.

A hair follicle drug test is another type of popular drug testing. It is non-invasive, and you can also verify the sample since it is taken directly from the subject in plain view of other people (unlike urine which can be difficult). Usually, when drug metabolites go into the blood, they can also go into the blood vessels in the scalp and filtered through the hair. The traces are then left in the hair follicles. Usually around 50 to 80 strands of hair are needed from the scalp and then placed into various solvents, which can be analyzed to check for drug use.

What is a Pre-Employment Drug Test?

Many companies these days use drug screening as part of their tools for hiring new workers. For businesses where safety is an issue, it is not only smart but is usually mandated by law that all potential employees pass a drug test before working for that company. Considering that businesses lose about 75 billion dollars a year because of drug abusers in the work place, this is a small price to pay. 

A pre-employment drug test is simply a type of test used by employees to screen for drug use before a candidate is hired. These tests are usually done when the candidate has passed certain qualifications and interviews and are almost ready to be hired. Many large companies these days use drug screening. 

For those who are worried about their upcoming test – don’t worry. As long as you are not a habitual user of drugs, it’s quite easy to pass a test. If you have used drugs in the past but don’t do so anymore, it’s unlikely to show up on the drug test. Many companies use the standard Urine screening test which looks for the more popular drugs today like cannabis, barbiturates, cocaine, amphetamines etc. If you are doing a urine test and are not a habitual user and you haven’t used any drugs in at least 2 weeks, then you have nothing to worry about. If you have an upcoming drug test hair sample and you have recently used drugs, then you can try to delay the test. However if the company is using a hair drug test, it may be more difficult as hair drug tests can show the history of usage for up to 90 days.

Beating a Hair Drug Test

Many companies and corporations today are quite strict when it comes to their employees. They want to be able to cover themselves in the case of legal action from customers, and so they want to make sure everything is strictly enforced at work. That’s why many companies now require drug testing and many simply have a strict policy and will not tolerate any drug use. While we all have our indiscretions, it’s important to note that not all drug use is bad. If you’re taking a certain drug that you need and may set off a false positive, immediately tell your employer or the tester. If you have taken drugs and need to pass the test, there may be some things you can do to remove drug traces from your body. If you are an occasional or first time user, then all you may need is a few hours or days to remove the drug trace from your system.

beat hair follicle drug test

 
If you need to pass a hair drug test, you may need more careful planning. It is possible to beat hair follicle drug tests, but you will need time. First, you may want to shave. Removing the hair from the body ensures you will take out the traces of past drug use. The thing is, you can beat a hair follicle drug test and show you didn’t take any drug for the last 2 weeks, but if the tester were to look closer, older hair will show the history. It’s best to remove your head and body hair and allow it to grow for 2 weeks before going in for a test.