What is hair drug testing?
Since hair growth is fed by the bloodstream, the ingestion of drugs of abuse is revealed by analyzing a small sample of hair. The testing method measures the drug molecules embedded inside the hairshaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive test result. Hair testing results cannot be altered with shampoos or other external chemicals.
What drugs are included in a standard hair drug test?
Cocaine, marijuana, opiates (Codeine, Morphine, and Heroin), methamphetamine, amphetamine, Ecstasy, and phencyclidine (PCP). These five drug classes are mandated for testing by the Federal Government. An extended opiate panel can be conducted on request. This test will identify hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hycodan, and Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
What time period does a standard test cover?
A standard screen covers a period of approximately 90 days. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible and the most recent 1.5 inches of hair are tested.
How does hair testing compare to urinalysis?
The primary differences are:
1) wider window of detection
2) inability to tamper with the test
Cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and PCP are rapidly excreted and usually undetectable in urine 72 hours after use. The detection period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days for a standard screen.
At this time there are no known adulterants for hair tests. Since hair tests analyze the drugs inside the hairshaft, external contaminants/chemicals have no effect.
Additional advantages include non-intrusive collection procedures and the virtual elimination of test evasion.
The combination of an increased window of detection and resistance to evasion makes hair testing far more effective than urinalysis in correctly identifying drug users.
How long does it take to get the results?
In most cases, an appointment can be made with Paymer Associates to have a sample collected within 48 hours. Once the sample is collected test results are often returned within 24-48 hours. At most, results will be returned within 4 working days.
Does hair color affect results?
Hair color is determined by the amount of melanin in the hair. It has been shown experimentally, through actual hair samples, as well as determined in court, that hair color has NO basis in fact.
How fast does head hair grow?
Studies indicate that head hair grows on the average approximately 1.3 cm (or 1/2 inch) per month. This growth rate varies slightly (estimated at ± .2 cm per month), consequently there is some (± 1 week) time variation possible.
How much hair is needed?
A standard screen with GC/MS confirmation requires 60+ milligrams of hair or approximately 90 to 120 strands. This is equivalent to the circumference of a straw or pencil. The thickness of different types of head hair (thick coarse vs. thinning fine) is the reason for this variation.
Can tests be run on people with little or no hair?
Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. In addition, body hair may be used as a substitute to head hair. In the rare case where no hair is collectable, complete urine/adulteration testing may be utilized.
Does body hair give the same type of results as head hair?
Yes, body hair can be used to test for the five standard drug classes, though body hair growth patterns are different than head hair. Most body hair is replaced within approximately one year. This means a test done with body hair will be reported as drug usage during approximately a one year timeframe.
Can hair collected from a brush be used?
Yes, but the test will be reported as having an "anonymous" donor. We cannot attribute the sample to any specific person and we cannot determine the timeframe of the test, so the test result is not legally defensible. The test will only report that the sample submitted had the reported drug metabolite components.
Will Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation be utilized for all positive hair results?
Confirmation tests utilizing GC/MS for all specimens that screen positive (opiates, PCP, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana) are performed.
How effective is hair testing in detecting drug users?
In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug testing has uncovered significantly more drug use. In two independent studies hair drug testing uncovered 4 to 8 times as many drug users as urinalysis.
Does external exposure to certain drugs, like marijuana or crack smoke, affect the hair test results?
To rule out the possibility of external contamination, testing (where appropriate) looks for both parent & metabolite (bi-product) of drug usage. For marijuana analyses, the metabolite (THC-COOH) is detected . This metabolite is only produced by the body and cannot be an environmental contaminant.
How long are test reports kept on file?
Test reports are retained for a period of two years or as mandated by law.
What other drugs are available to be tested in hair analysis?
Currently, nicotine, methadone, simple benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants assays and mescaline have been detected in hair. However, many details such as cutoff levels and dose response relationships have not yet been established for these compounds. Currently these assays are in the Research and Development process. For the detection of the above referenced drugs, complete urine/adulteration testing may be utilized. Source: Omega Laboratories, Mogadore, Ohio
