How does hair follicle drug testing work




















When you call us, a Clinical Advisor can provide details about this service. Our laboratory is UKAS accredited. As a result, all test reports can be used for legal and court purposes. There is a reason why this test is ideal for the above. It offers a longer and more accurate detection window than urine and saliva drug testing.

But If you do need an analysis that covers a short period of time, consider these alternative drug tests:. In addition, we can take extra hair samples for alcohol testing. For instance, we can undertake a Hair Alcohol test in combination with a Blood Alcohol test.

As a result, this will also provide an accurate analysis of past alcohol consumption. Hair Drug Testing is also suitable for the workplace. For example, for specialist agencies or in circumstances that need evidence of abstinence. Or to challenge positive urine drug test results for employment tribunals. For example, this can provide more detailed information about a result. We identify each donor at the appointment, using photographic identification.

Next, we collect the hair sample. This is then sealed and bar coded. The entire collection process follows strict chain of custody procedures. For instance, you will need to sign consent to have your hair sample tested. Also, you will witness the sample collector tamper proofing your hair sample.

We cut the hair samples using scissors. Or a razor for body hair samples. We can take this from anywhere on the head or body. But we do recommend the use of head hair due to biological factors that influence the hair growth rate. You can speak to a Clinical Advisor to understand the limitations for some types of hair. Regardless of the hair origin, we only need a small amount of hair for the analysis. The first step involves an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA test, which is a rapid screening method.

If the ELISA test produces a positive result for a particular substance, a technician will retest the hair sample using confirmatory chromatographic testing, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS , to rule out false positives. People can order at-home hair follicle testing kits through online providers. These kits include an instruction manual and a pre-paid envelop for mailing the hair sample to the laboratory.

A person can usually access their test results by calling a toll-free number or going online and using the unique identification number that comes with the kit. A negative result means that the laboratory did not detect the presence of any drug metabolites in the hair sample, or after having a positive ELISA screening, the laboratory was unable to confirm the results with GC-MS.

If the hair sample is contaminated or something goes wrong during the testing, the laboratory may declare the result to be inconclusive. In these cases, a person may need to provide a new hair sample to the laboratory. Hair follicle drug tests can determine whether a person has been using certain substances within the past 3 months.

However, these tests cannot pinpoint the exact date of drug use because hair growth rates can vary widely among different people. In , researchers at the Friends Research Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, conducted a study examining the effectiveness of hair follicle drug tests. The researchers compared self-reported drug use with hair follicle test results from adults at risk for moderate drug use. In a study , researchers compared the results of hair follicle drug tests with self-reported drug use from participants.

Due to the study results, the researchers concluded that hair follicle tests do not provide reliable information regarding drug use in the general population.

There is a range of different home kits for hair follicle drug testing on the market. Some drug testing kits are available for a flat fee that includes laboratory testing and all shipping costs.

For other kits, a person pays a basic price for the actual kit and an additional amount depending on which drugs the laboratory tests for. Some health insurance companies cover the cost of hair follicle drug testing for medical purposes. Hair samples can come from the armpit or face, so people who do not have hair on their heads can still take a hair follicle drug test.

A person with shorter hair may need to supply more hair for the sample. Body hair vs. Head Hair? Although similar, there are a few differences. Here are the facts: 1. If head hair it too short, body hair can be used. Although there is no released research or tests, it is suspected that the body hair test can be detected much further back, as far back as a year.

The results will not and can not detect the specific day of drug use. The test involves a small number of hair strands being cut from your head close to the scalp. Then, your hair sample is tested by a lab to determine if there has been any drug use for the last 90 days.

In a hair follicle drug test, the sample hair is used, usually from the root or close to it, to screen for drug use. When you use drugs, they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Within each hair follicle, there is a blood vessel that feeds hair growth cells. If you have used any substances, those drugs are carried into the hair follicle via the blood vessel. Hair follicle drug tests can screen for various types of drugs, both prescription and illegal.

Some of the drugs tested for include:. When you go to have a hair follicle drug test, the hair sample that is taken must be directly from your head. You cannot use hair from a brush or other sources. The sample has to include enough strands to equal about the thickness of a pencil, and it needs to be at least one and a half inches long.

Usually, hair drug tests take place in a lab or other medical setting. Some workplaces may cut the hair themselves and send it in to a laboratory using a kit. Additionally, hair testing kits can be purchased online for at-home use.



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