Hair Follicle Drug Test – What You Need to Know

Ron Kilgarlin

December 30, 2022

A Hair Follicle drug test is a common method for detecting a wide range of drugs for up to 90 days. However, there are many questions about the process, including how long the hair follicle needs to grow before it can be detected and the legality of using hair follicles for testing. Here’s what you need to know about this type of testing.

Paying for a hair follicle drug test

A hair follicle drug test is a type of testing that measures the pattern of illegal and prescription drug use over a long period. It is used to determine whether a person has a history of drug abuse and to prevent relapse.

Hair follicles can contain evidence of drug use for up to 90 days. However, hair follicle testing is less accurate than other types of tests. This means that positive results are more challenging to interpret.

While hair follicle drug testing can be useful for workplace testing, it can also be used in forensic and legal testing. The results may be more accurate in these cases than blood and urine tests. The detection window depends on the amount of drug consumed, how long it has been since the drug was last used, and the route of administration.

Some employers, including healthcare providers and rehabilitation centers, use hair follicle testing to determine if a worker is using drugs. Others conduct periodic tests to monitor recovery.

Detecting drug use for up to 90 days

Hair follicle drug tests are a non-invasive method for detecting drug use for up to 90 days. This is because the drugs in your bloodstream are absorbed into your hair and become a part of the cells.

Hair follicles grow at about a half-inch per month. A sample of about 1.5 inches from your head can provide a complete history of drug use over 90 days.

Some employers may request a hair follicle drug test if you’re a potential employee or applicant. The drug tests can be performed at home or in a laboratory. In addition, hair can be collected from other parts of the body so you can get a longer history of drug use.

You can also use a hair follicle drug test to identify prescription drugs, illicit substances, and alcohol misuse. Drugs such as cocaine, PCP, amphetamines, and opiates are common targets.

Hair follicle tests are an alternative to urine and blood tests. They can be used to monitor at-risk individuals and ensure that a person is progressing toward recovery. Unlike urine or blood tests, a hair follicle test can pick up on metabolites of drugs, which are produced when the body breaks down the substance.

Interpreting the results

Hair Follicle Drug Testing is a method that measures patterns of illegal and prescription drug use over the last 90 days. It is used in forensic testing and legal cases.

A hair sample can be taken in a medical setting or at a laboratory. A small patch of hair, around 1.5 inches long, is collected.

The hair follicle test is commonly used to detect opiates, amphetamines, PCP, cocaine, and THC. These are metabolites of drugs the body produces as the drug breaks down. Some drugs bind more easily to the melanin of darker hair than other hair.

Hair follicle tests may be a good way to catch people who have used drugs for a long time. However, the test is not 100% accurate. Several factors can make it difficult to interpret the results.

Hair follicle drug testing is not as common as urine or blood tests. Some states don’t allow it. Employers, courts, and healthcare professionals use this method to screen employees for substance abuse.

Legality

The hair follicle drug test is a type of test designed to detect illegal and prescription drugs. The test takes a small sample of hair and looks for the presence of metabolites of the drug. In many cases, the test can identify several substances at once.

Drug metabolites can remain in the hair from the scalp for up to three months. The test is not 100% accurate, but it can provide a complete picture of a person’s overall drug use.

Hair follicle drug tests can be performed at home or in a medical setting. A trained professional will collect the sample and prevent tampering.

The hair follicle test can provide a detailed look at a person’s pattern of drug use. However, it can also be difficult to interpret. Detecting only one drug at a time can be more challenging than a urine or blood test.

Test results can vary depending on several factors, including environmental conditions and medications. If you’ve recently taken any medications, supplements, or treatments, tell your doctor so that they can update the test.