Drug Test Hair Analysis
A drug test hair analysis uses a sample of hair to determine whether drugs have been used by measuring drug molecules. The test is capable of measuring the small molecules produced by the body after a drug has been introduced to the system and enter the bloodstream. Once these molecules have entered the bloodstream, they will show up in the hair.
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Types of Drugs
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Drug hair test analysis can be used to screen for several types of drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines and phencyclidine. The federal government mandates that all five drug classes be tested for when submitting a sample.
Analysis Time
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The hair method tests for drugs for a longer time than other methods. It can normally detect drugs in the system for 90 days before the hair sample was acquired.
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Hair Needed
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For accuracy, it is important to cut the hair as close to the scalp as possible and it should be about 1.5 inches long. If it is necessary to go back further than 90 days, more hair is needed, but it is important to still cut from the scalp as it will show the most recent results. The normal amount needed for detecting drug usage is about 50 to 70 strands.
Hair Source
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Scalp hair is normally preferred for drug test analysis. However, if hair from the scalp is not available because hair is too short, hair from other areas of the body can be submitted for testing. Body hair can accumulate toxins and cause a false positive. Body hair is normally not the best source for a drug test. Pubic hair is not an allowable source for testing.
Alternatives
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If no hair is available, labs normally allow for an alternate source, such as urine, saliva, blood, sweat or fingernails for testing. If this is not a possibility, it may be required that you grow your hair out so a sample can be taken from your body.
Considerations
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Depending on the reason for the hair sample, it is possible to collect a sample or to submit hair in person. If it is court mandated or for employment, hair samples normally need to be submitted in person at a local lab, hospital or similar company. Parents can also take samples of their children and send it to a lab via mail.
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