Hair Drug Testing Facts

Hair drug test is a technical analysis ofhair, to identify and determine thepresence or absence of specific parentdrugs or metabolites thereof. This kind ofdrug test is generally performed to detectthe use of performance-enhancing drugsand steroids by athletes and sports-persons as well as to detect the consumption of illegal drugs such as Cocaine, Cannabis, Heroin,Opium, etc. Nowadays, random drug testing in the workplace is conducted quite often to exposeemployees who are inconspicuous drug abusers and enroll them in drug rehab programs. Thefollowing discussion is sure to open up a world of astounding information relating to drug abuse andhow a hair sample can betray the same!

Before jumping directly to the said facts, let us, first, take a brief glance at what exactly hair follicledrug test is. In a hair follicle drug test, a small sample of hair, either from the head or any other partof the body (excluding pubic regions), are examined to identify specific drugs used by the subjectover a period of time. The test measures the drug molecules and their specific metabolites, traceamounts of which are found in the hair follicles. Let us see how the drug metabolites get depositedin the hair follicles. After a substance reaches the human digestive system, it undergoes all themetabolic processes and releases nutrients and/or by-products (metabolites in case of drugs) thatare carried by the blood to different parts of the body. As the blood circulates to all body parts,including hair, it deposits these metabolites in hair follicles which find their way to individual hairstrands, thereby, making their presence conspicuous. Now, let us get to the facts about hair follicledrug testing.

Some Hair Drug Testing Facts

Hair Drug Test Accuracy: Hair follicle drug test information is found to be far more accurate thanurine sample analysis when testing for presence of drugs such as cocaine, PCP, opiates andmethamphetamine and is considered more effective for detecting low level drug use over a longperiod of time as compared to urine and saliva tests. This is because, the drug metabolites areflushed out of the blood stream every three to seven days whereas they can remain trapped in hairfollicles for years! Detecting low level use of marijuana through hair follicle test is comparativelyless sensitive than detecting cocaine and opiates but is considered equally, if not more, effective asurine test.

Hair Drug Test Cost: One of the most encouraging facts is that it costs lesser than most otherconventional drug test methods. Besides, it is also the least invasive method and allows for testing ofa large number of potentially interacting toxic or narcotic elements at one time.

Drugs Detected: The drugs that are detected by this test include Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine,Marijuana, Opiates (such as Codeine, Morphine and Heroin), Methamphetamine, Amphetamine,Ecstasy, Phencyclidine, etc.

Measurable Amount: Another among interesting facts is the minimum level of metabolites that needto be present in hair follicles to be detected for screening and confirmation. The table below givesyou an idea:-

Drug

Minimum Qty Required For Detection

Cocaine

100 pg/mg

Opiates

100 pg/mg

Phencyclidine

100 pg/mg

Ecstasy

100 pg/mg

Amphetamines

100 pg/mg

Marijuana

0.10 pg/mg

Methamphetamines

100 pg/mg

Quantity of Hair Sample: Approximately 50-80 hair strands at least 2 inches long, i.e. around 45 mgof sample is required for this test. The quantity required may vary slightly depending upon thethickness, color and texture of hair. Also, hair collected from comb and brush cannot be used, andsample is always taken live from the subject by cutting hair strands from as close to the scalp aspossible.

Time Period of Test: The time period covered by these tests is approximately 90 days but may vary,depending upon individual hair growth rate. The sample hair is cut very close to the scalp and thelatest 2 inches of growth are examined.

Hair Treatment, Color and Test Results: If you think you can get away and pass the drug test by useof hair coloring products to mask the presence of narcotic metabolites, you couldn't be further fromthe truth! Chemical treatment and hair color, whether natural or artificial, has no role in testing fordrugs using hair samples. In fact, chemical treatments such as washing of hair is helpful in removingexternal contaminants and gives clarity to test results! Bleaching and coloring can only affect test

results significantly, if the protein matrix of the hair is damaged to the point of inducing breakage!

Ever imagined that something as simple as a few strands of hair can betray something as serious asdrug abuse? Well, you have the hair drug testing facts right here! You may pass a urine drug test ifyou are a very low level abuser but your hair preserves the history of your substance abuse foryears! Almost all US states have many local drug testing centers that offer hair follicle drug testingfacilities. You can also take advantage of home drug testing kits, most of which can be orderedonline. All said and done, the bottom line is that if not for health, at least for your reputation's sake,stay away from abusing drugs and illegal substances. In case of a random test, your own hair wouldtestify against you!