Hair Follicle Drug Test: Key Facts and How to Prepare

Image Credit: Shutter Stock

Hair follicle drug tests have become increasingly common in workplace screenings and legal proceedings. This method of drug detection has gained popularity due to its ability to detect substance use over a longer period compared to urine or blood tests. As more employers and institutions adopt this testing method, it’s crucial to understand its process, accuracy, and implications.

This article delves into the key aspects of hair follicle drug testing, providing essential information for those who may encounter such tests. We’ll explore what a hair follicle drug test involves, how it works, and its detection time frame. Additionally, we’ll discuss the test’s accuracy, potential limitations, and factors that can influence results. Whether you’re curious about where to get a hair follicle drug test or wondering about its cost, this guide aims to answer your questions and help you prepare for this increasingly common screening method.

What is a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

A hair follicle drug test is a screening method used to detect evidence of drug use or misuse in a sample of a person’s hair. This type of test has gained popularity due to its ability to show a longer history of drug exposure compared to other testing methods. It’s important to note that despite its name, the test doesn’t actually examine the hair follicle but rather the hair strands themselves.

How it works

The process begins with the collection of a small hair sample, typically about 100 milligrams or 90 to 120 strands, cut close to the scalp. As the body breaks down the drug, it and its metabolites become incorporated into the hair matrix through the bloodstream, sweat glands, and oil glands on the scalp. These substances remain in the hair as it grows, which occurs at a rate of about one-half inch each month.

The hair sample undergoes a two-step testing process:

1. An initial screening using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test
2. If positive, a confirmatory test using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)

This two-step process helps to ensure accuracy and guard against false-positive results.

Also Visit: Foods that reduce nervous tension

Drugs detected

A hair follicle drug test can identify a wide range of substances, including:

• Amphetamines (including methamphetamine and ecstasy)
• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Opioids (such as heroin, codeine, and morphine)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Alcohol (ethanol)
• Nicotine and cotinine

Some tests focus on detecting a single specific drug, while others use a panel to screen for multiple substances simultaneously. A common hair follicle drug panel tests for five drug classes: marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, PCP, and opioids.

Detection window

One of the key advantages of hair follicle drug testing is its extended detection window. While drugs may not appear in the hair until 7 to 10 days after use, they can remain detectable for weeks, months, or even years once incorporated into the hair. Typically, a 1.5-inch hair sample can detect drug use up to 90 days prior to testing. This makes hair follicle tests particularly useful for identifying patterns of chronic drug use or misuse and confirming periods of abstinence.

The Testing Process

Sample Collection

Hair follicle drug tests begin with the collection of a small hair sample, typically from the crown of the head. A trained professional usually performs this process to prevent tampering, contamination, or substitution. The collector cuts approximately 100-120 strands of hair, about the thickness of a pencil, as close to the scalp as possible. This provides information about recent drug use.

The standard sample length is around 1.5 inches, though longer samples may be collected for a more extended history of drug use.

To ensure proper collection:

1. The collector confirms the donor’s identity using photo identification.
2. They clean the scissors with an alcohol wipe in the donor’s presence.
3. The hair is cut from several areas across the crown to avoid creating bald spots.

Also Visit: What Should You Look for in a Lifeguard Class?

Laboratory Analysis

Once collected, the hair sample is packaged according to instructions in the collection kit and sent to a laboratory for testing. Upon receipt, the laboratory may wash the sample to remove external contaminants, dirt, and grease from the hair’s surface. This washing process does not affect drugs inside the hair.

The testing process typically involves two steps:

1. Initial screening: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test is performed.
2. Confirmatory testing: If the initial screening is positive, a more detailed analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography is conducted.

These methods detect the presence of specific drug metabolites in the hair sample. The laboratory analyzes the sample for various substances, including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP.

Interpreting Results

Results of hair follicle drug testing are generally available within a few business days after the laboratory receives the sample. The results are typically reported as positive, negative, or inconclusive:

• Negative: No drug metabolites were detected in the hair sample, or after a positive ELISA screening, the laboratory was unable to confirm the results with GC/MS.
• Positive: The laboratory confirmed the presence of specific drug metabolites in the hair sample through both initial and confirmatory testing.
• Inconclusive: This result may occur if the hair sample is contaminated or if something goes wrong during testing. In such cases, a new hair sample may be required.

It’s important to note that a positive hair test does not necessarily indicate current drug use, as drug metabolites can remain in the hair for up to a year, depending on the sample length.

Accuracy and Limitations

Hair follicle drug tests have gained popularity due to their ability to detect drug use over an extended period. However, like any testing method, they have both strengths and limitations in terms of accuracy.

Factors affecting accuracy

Several factors can influence the accuracy of hair follicle drug tests:

1. Hair color: Studies have shown that drug metabolites attach more readily to darker hair pigments. This means individuals with dark brown hair may show higher traces of drug use compared to those with light blonde hair, even if they’ve consumed the same amount.
2. Hair treatments: Chemically treating hair can remove 40-80% of drug use indicators, depending on the drug type. Certain hair dyes contain substances like hemp that could lead to false positive results.
3. Hair growth rate: The average hair growth rate is one centimeter per month, but it can range from 0.5 to 2cm. This variation can affect the accuracy of time-based assessments.
4. Sample collection area: Guidelines typically recommend taking hair from the crown or nape of the head. Testing hair from different areas can result in up to 20% variation in results.

Also Visit: Establishing Healthy Limits in New Relationships

False positives

False positive results can occur due to various reasons:

1. Environmental contamination: Being in proximity to drugs, such as cocaine, can cause molecules to bind to hair, potentially leading to a false positive even without personal use.
2. Prescription medications: Some cold remedies, decongestants, and hay fever medicines may show up as amphetamines in tests.
3. Food consumption: Certain foods, like poppy seeds, can result in false positives for opiates.

To minimize false positives, hair samples undergo a two-step testing process. An initial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test is followed by a confirmatory test using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) if the initial result is positive.

Comparison to other drug tests

When compared to urine tests, hair follicle drug tests have distinct advantages and limitations:

1. Detection window: Hair tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests typically only cover the past 2-3 days.
2. Efficacy for specific drugs: Hair testing has shown to be more effective in detecting cocaine and oxycodone use, while urine testing is better for detecting cannabis, heroin/opioids, benzodiazepines, and methadone.
3. Recent use detection: Urine tests are more suitable for detecting very recent drug use, as it takes about 7-10 days for drugs to show up in hair.
4. Tampering resistance: Hair samples are harder to tamper with compared to urine samples, giving hair tests an advantage in laboratory settings.

While hair follicle drug tests have their strengths, they are not infallible. Research has shown that they correctly identified only 52.3% of reported cannabis use, 65.2% of cocaine use, 24.2% of amphetamine use, and 2.9% of opioid use. These findings suggest that hair follicle tests may not provide entirely reliable information about drug use in the general population.

Also Visit: Symptoms Decoded: Recognizing the Signs of a Kidney Infection

Conclusion

Hair follicle drug testing has a significant impact on workplace screenings and legal proceedings. Its ability to detect substance use over an extended period gives it an edge over other testing methods. However, it’s crucial to remember that this method isn’t foolproof. Factors like hair color, treatments, and environmental contamination can affect the results, potentially leading to false positives or negatives.

To sum up, while hair follicle drug tests offer valuable insights into long-term drug use patterns, they should be used in conjunction with other testing methods for a more comprehensive assessment. As this testing method continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about its strengths and limitations. This knowledge can help individuals and organizations make well-informed decisions when it comes to drug testing policies and practices.

FAQs

What factors can interfere with the accuracy of a hair follicle drug test?
Various hair treatments such as shampooing, dyeing, relaxing, and bleaching can alter the concentration of drugs and their metabolites found during a hair follicle drug test.

What should you understand about hair follicle drug testing?
A hair follicle drug test, or hair drug test, is a method used to detect drugs in a person’s body by analyzing a small hair sample taken near the scalp. This test can determine drug use over a period of up to 90 days.

What does a 10-panel hair follicle test screen for?
A 10-panel hair follicle test is designed to detect ten types of illegal and commonly misused drugs. This test is frequently employed in scenarios such as pre-employment screenings, periodic employee tests, or after an incident in the workplace.

Which medications might lead to a false positive in a hair follicle drug test?
Certain medications can result in false positives on a hair follicle drug test. These include opioids and opiates, quinoline antibiotics such as levofloxacin (Levaquin) and ofloxacin, antipsychotic medications like quetiapine (Seroquel), over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and even poppy seeds.