Hair Follicle Drug Testing Services

What is a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

A hair follicle drug test is a drug screening method that uses a hair sample to detect the presence of illegal drugs and their metabolites in an individual's system. With its ability to provide accurate results, it's the go-to option for many employers who prioritize workplace safety and productivity.

The hair follicle test for drugs, including substances like THC, is particularly suited for pre-employment drug tests and random drug tests due to its accuracy, the difficulty in tampering with the results, and its resilience against short-term drug abuse, such as marijuana or methamphetamine.

Why Choose Hair Testing Over Other Methods?

There are several reasons why hair testing for drugs is favorable for Employers:

• Long Detection Window: The hair test offers a long detection window, often covering a span of up to 90 days, much longer than other testing methods like urine and saliva tests. This ensures that potential employees are not just clean in the short term but have maintained a drug-free lifestyle for an extended period.
• Less Invasive: There's no need for restroom breaks or handling of bodily fluids. A small hair sample is all that's needed.
• Harder to Tamper: Even if an employee were to show up bald in an attempt to avoid the test, testers could collect hair samples from arms, legs, and other body parts, ensuring the hair follicle home drug test's integrity remains uncompromised.
• Comprehensive Results: The test can detect a wide range of drugs, including cocaine, opiates, marijuana, benzoylecgonine, methamphetamine, and more.

What does a Hair Drug Test measure?

Here are the drugs that a hair follicle drug test can measure

• Marijuana (THC) including cannabis and hashish.
• Cocaine metabolites including benzoylecgonine.
• Opiates include heroin, morphine, codeine, and oxycodone.
• Amphetamines and Methamphetamines.
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Benzodiazepines like Xanaxm, Valium, and Ativan.
• Barbiturates
• Synthetic Cannabinoids
• Synthetic Stimulants such as cathionones
• Synthetic Opioids like fentanyl and other drugs.
• Ketamine and Propoxyphene

Are Hair Drug Tests Accurate?

Hair drug tests, recognized for their precision, are an industry gold standard in identifying drug use. Their reliability stems from several key factors:

• Elimination of False Positives: Advanced testing techniques significantly reduce the chances of false-positive results.
• Detection Window: These tests are especially adept at identifying drug use over an extended period, distinguishing them from other tests that often capture just recent drug use.
• Laboratory Protocols: Premium laboratories, like those at US Health Testing, have measures in place to account for potential contamination, further enhancing the test's accuracy.
• Environmental Exposures: While hair can absorb drugs from environmental exposures, such as secondhand smoke, the testing procedures are designed to differentiate between actual drug use and mere environmental contamination.
• Hair Color and Composition: Though some drugs may bind more readily to certain hair types, the testing accounts for these variances, ensuring that results remain unbiased.
• Hair Treatments: Hair treatments might influence drug concentrations in samples. However, advanced testing methods can factor in these treatments, ensuring results reflect true drug use and not external influences.

However, as with all tests, there are challenges:

• Standardization: The industry is still working on standardizing cutoff values for drug concentrations in hair samples.
• Interpretation Complexity: Various factors can affect results, sometimes making them more challenging to interpret.
• Low-level Use Detection: Occasional or minimal drug use might be more challenging to detect through hair samples.

Despite these challenges, the reliability and comprehensive nature of hair drug tests makes them a top choice for employers. If you're an employer keen on ensuring a drug-free workspace and are seeking reliable results, consider the hair drug test. Enhance workplace safety and productivity with US Health Testing!

When can Employers conduct Hair Follicle Drug Tests?

Employers can conduct hair follicle drug tests at various stages of the pre-employment and during an employee's tenure. Here are some common scenarios where an employer can conduct a hair follicle drug screening.

• Pre-Employment Screening
• Random Drug Testing
• Post-Accident Investigation
• Reasonable Suspicion Testing
• Return-to-Duty Testing

Note that the drug testing scenario may vary from one company to another based on the drug testing policy. If you do not have a drug testing policy in place, craft a drug testing policy based on the federal and state drug testing laws in the USA.

Hair Follicle Drug Test Results

Hair drug test results are renowned for their high accuracy. When the drug levels are below the cut-off levels (SAMHSA prescribed), your employee might get negative results. But, when a result comes out positive, it strongly indicates that the respective employee or individual has consumed drugs. The chance of receiving inconclusive, false positive, or false negative results is minimal.

As an employer, interpreting the hair drug test results should be done holistically. Consider other relevant information, such as observed behavior, medical history, and other drug test results, if available. For substances like marijuana, THC, cocaine, or methamphetamines, understanding the intricacies of the test is crucial.

It is imperative for employers to follow their company's drug testing policies.It is crucial to engage with our MRO (Medical Review Officer) services, especially when faced with positive or inconclusive hair drug test results. Our MRO expertise ensures a precise interpretation of the results, aiding in informed decision-making.

Note:

Maintaining trust and privacy is paramount. Employers should ensure confidentiality and proper handling of test results throughout the entire screening process to uphold these values.

Hair Follicle Drug Test Price Range

The cost of a hair follicle drug test can differ based on several factors, chiefly the panels and the specific drugs you're screening for. A standard 5-panel hair drug test, which is a common choice for many employers, typically has a starting price of $64.95 (5-panel+Exp OPI).

While the price may vary based on the specifics of the test, US Health Testing ensures transparency in our pricing. Whether it's a 5-panel or a 9-panel hair follicle test, our rates are competitive, ensuring you get value for every penny spent.

If you've been searching for ''hair follicle drug test near me'' or related queries like ''hair laboratories near me,'' you're in the right place. Our tests are extensive, covering a wide range of substances, making them the preferred choice for many employers and individuals. Order your Hair follicle drug test NOW!

Note:

It's essential for employers to understand that the value of the test isn't just in the price. The broader goal is to ensure a safe and productive workplace. Therefore, while being budget-conscious is important, decisions should be guided more by the company's drug testing policies and the specific requirements of the role rather than solely by the hair follicle drug test cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why hair drug testing?

Hair drug testing is effective for longer drug detection (90 days), provides a comprehensive drug use history and it is ideal for chronic drug use detection in various settings.

How does hair drug testing work?

Hair drug testing requires a small hair sample from the crown region to identify drug metabolites, which are deposited in the hair shaft as hair grows. This will provide insights into an individual's drug use over an extended period.

How long do hair follicles test positive for drugs?

Hair follicles can test positive for drugs for up to 90 days or longer, depending on the length of the hair sample and the individual's drug use patterns.

What drugs are tested with hair testing?

Hair testing can detect drugs including THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and more.

How much hair is needed for a follicle test?

For a hair drug test, the tester may typically need about 100-120 strands of hair (equivalent to a pencil's thickness) for a hair follicle test, with a length of 1.5 inches from the scalp.

How long is a hair drug test effective?

Hair drug tests are effective in detecting drug use for the length of the hair sample, which usually covers a period of up to 90 days or longer.

Can a hair follicle test go back 12 months?

In most cases, hair follicle tests may cover a detection window of up to 90 days, but when it comes to specialized testing, it may extend the window for certain drugs.

Is hair testing and hair follicle testing the same?

Hair testing and hair follicle testing refer to the same method of drug testing, analyzing drug metabolites in the hair shaft to detect drug use history.

Can certain hair treatments affect hair drug test results?

Hair treatments like bleaching or coloring may not affect hair drug test results, as the drugs are incorporated into the hair shaft during drug use.

Is hair drug testing more accurate than other forms of drug testing?

Hair drug testing is generally considered more accurate than other forms of testing due to its longer detection window and resistance to sample adulteration.