Hair Drug Testing Facts & Drugs Detection!

Drug tests are mostly done for legal purposes, for instance test for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, testing as part of legal probation, employment condition where drug use is either illegal or dangerous, and athletes who may use performance-enhancing drugs.

Drugs Detection of Hair Drug Testing

Hair drug test detects the presence of drugs and their metabolites in the hair specimen collected from a donor.

Drugs detectable in hair:

Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Cocaine
Methadone
Meperidine
Opiates
PCP
Oxycodone
Propoxyphene
Cannabinoids
Tramadol
Fentanyl
Sufentanil

Hair Drug Testing Facts

Hair drug testing method allows detection of substances that have been frequently or infrequently used over a longer period of time (up to 90 days).
About 100 gram sample of hair (100 to 120 strands) is cut close to the scalp by the collector. The collected sample is sent to a sophisticated laboratory where the hair samples are screened for any illicit substances. The results are available within 1 to 5 working days.
The hair specimens are usually cleansed of any external contamination (powders, smoke, etc.) by washing them with special shampoos before screening. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology is utilized to detect the presence of any illicit parent drugs or their metabolites.
If the samples test positive, a second screening of the samples are done by subjecting them to Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry or Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry confirmation testing.
The hair testing method is the hardest drug test to beat and reduces the risk of adulteration or substitution since the sample is collected in full view of the lab personnel.
There are chemical adulterants commercially available like shampoos, dyes, bleaches, etc., but the effectiveness of these products is not established.
It takes a couple of days (between 5–10 days) after the last use for the substance to be detectable in hair. There are more advanced hair drug tests that can detect prescription drug abuse.
This is the least form of intrusive testing and more expensive than other drug testing methods, but provides very accurate results.

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