Hair follicle drug/alcohol testing is a method used to detect the presence of various illicit and prescription drugs and alcohol in an individual's system. Here's a breakdown of what it entails:

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Detected Substances

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Hair follicle tests can identify a range of substances including:

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• Amphetamine type stimulants (e.g. Speed, Ice and Ecstasy)

• Benzodiazepines (e.g. Sleeping Tablets and Relaxants)

• Cannabis (Marijuana and THC)

• Cocaine

• Opiates (e.g. Heroin, Codeine and Morphine)

• Alcohol

 

Sample Collection

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A hair sample of around 200mg is typically collected from the back of the

scalp, near the vertex. If scalp hair is insufficient or too short (less than 1 cm),

beard hair may be used as an alternative. However, this can make it challenging

to determine the time frame covered by the sample.

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Benefits

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Hair follicle testing offers several advantages:

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• Extended detection window - Hair tests can detect drug use over a longer period (up to 90 days) compared to other methods like urine or saliva testing.

• Resistance to adulteration - Hair testing is highly resistant to tampering or manipulation of the sample, making it a reliable method for detecting drug or alcohol use.

• Monitoring long term drug and alcohol use: Hair testing is useful for tracking long term or chronic drug and alcohol use patterns, providing insights into an individual's drug/alcohol habits over an extended period.

• Reliability in safety critical environments - Hair testing is commonly used in workplaces, family law proceedings, and other safety-critical environments where reliable compliance is crucial.

 

Limitations

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While hair follicle drug/alcohol testing has its benefits, it's essential to acknowledge its limitations:

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• Inability to detect recent drug use - Hair tests may not detect recent drug use within the last week or so, as it takes around 10 - 14 days for drugs to show up in the hair follicle.

• Limited detection of infrequent drug use - Hair testing may not be sensitive enough to detect sporadic or occasional drug use, especially if the drug concentrations are low or if the hair sample is short.

• Invasive collection process - While hair collection is generally non-invasive, it still requires the removal of a hair sample, which some individuals may find uncomfortable or objectionable.

 

Overall, hair drug and alcohol testing is a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring drug/alcohol use, particularly in situations where a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug/alcohol history is necessary. However, it's crucial to consider its limitations and potential applications.

 

Turn around time for results is usually 2 weeks.