While hair has been used to detect metals and poisons in the human body for nearly 200 years, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the first known hair follicle drug testing was conducted. Its use slowly gained transaction and by the 2000s hair follicle drug testing was being widely used and valued for its ability to provide a longer window of detection, compared with traditional drug testing methods.
Now, Integrity Sampling is providing hair follicle drug testing as a service for its clients. To introduce the service, we’ll take a closer look at hair testing, how is it conducted, why it is used and how you can take advantage of this valuable service.
An introduction to hair follicle drug testing
Hair follicle drug testing is a method used to detect drug use by analysing a small sample of hair follicles from the scalp or body. Unlike traditional drug tests that rely on urine or saliva samples, hair follicle testing offers a longer window of detection, making it ideal for identifying habitual drug use over an extended period.
The process of hair follicle drug testing begins with collecting a sample of hair follicles from the individual's scalp or body. Around 100 milligrams of hair is needed, specifically the first section of the root end. To give you an idea of how much hair this is, for hair longer than 10 cms about 120 strands are required, equivalent to the circumference of a pencil. While body hair can be used, typically the sample is obtained by using scalp hair.
The collected hair sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, the hair sample undergoes a series of tests to detect the presence of drug metabolites, which are substances produced when the body breaks down drugs. These metabolites become embedded in the hair follicle as the hair grows, providing a record of drug use over time.
The most common drugs detected through hair follicle testing include alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine and opiates. Integrity Sampling’s hair follicle drug testing can detect over 60 drugs.
Why choose hair follicle drug testing?
While urine and saliva drug testing can detect more recent use of drugs, the advantage of using hair follicles is that it provides a much longer window of detection, typically ranging from 1 to 3 months depending on the length of the hair sample. This extended detection period allows for the identification of chronic drug use patterns and can help assess long-term drug abstinence efforts.
Hair follicle drug testing is commonly used in a variety of settings, including workplace drug testing programs, legal proceedings, and rehabilitation programs.
In the workplace, employers can use hair follicle drug testing as part of their drug and alcohol policy and procedures.
In legal proceedings, hair follicle drug testing may be used, for example, in child custody cases or probation monitoring, to verify drug abstinence. It can also be used for forensic testing.
Furthermore, hair follicle testing can be a valuable tool in drug rehabilitation programs, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor patients' progress and detect any relapses or ongoing drug use. By providing objective evidence of drug use patterns, hair follicle testing can help inform treatment decisions and support individuals in their recovery journey.
Common misconceptions of hair follicle drug testing
There are several common misunderstandings associated with hair follicle drug testing. Some of the more common ones include:
- That hair follicle drug testing can detect drug use immediately after ingestion. In reality, it takes time for drugs to metabolise and become incorporated into the hair follicle – around 7 to 10 days. Therefore, hair follicle testing does not provide real-time results and typically detects drug use within a window of several days to weeks, depending on the length of the hair sample.
- Some people believe that external contamination, such as exposure to secondhand smoke or environmental contamination, can significantly affect the results of hair follicle testing. While external contamination is possible, reputable laboratories can differentiate between this contamination and actual drug use.
- Some mistakenly believe that hair color and texture can influence the accuracy of hair follicle drug testing. While it is true that certain hair treatments or dyes may affect the outer layer of the hair shaft, the drug metabolites are typically present within the inner layers of the hair follicle, where they are less susceptible to external influences.
- There is a misconception that shaving one's head or bleaching the hair can effectively evade detection in hair follicle drug testing. While shaving the head may temporarily remove the detectable portion of the hair, drug metabolites remain present in the hair follicle below the surface of the scalp. Similarly, bleaching the hair may alter the outer appearance of the hair shaft but does not eliminate drug metabolites from the hair follicle.
- Some question the accuracy of hair follicle drug testing, but it is widely recognised as a reliable method for detecting drug use. It’s not without limitations, however, which is why using a professional hair follicle drug testing service and reputable laboratory analysis is vital for accurate results.
Find out more about hair follicle drug testing
To find out more about hair follicle drug testing, or to book a test, contact Integrity Sampling today.
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Find out more about hair follicle drug testing in this guide from Integrity Sampling. Credit Tamara Bellis https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-with-braid-hair-ZvPoZtY-0ng
When conducted by a professional hair follicle drug testing service, using reputable laboratory analysis, hair follicle drug testing is a reliable and accurate method of providing a long-term look at a person’s drug use. Credit Drew Hays (image modified) https://unsplash.com/photos/person-holding-round-clear-container-tGYrlchfObE
