Hair Testing
Observed. Non-invasive.
When someone uses drugs, the drug gets metabolized or absorbed into the user’s bloodstream. Humans have millions of hair follicles throughout the head and body. Each hair follicle has a blood vessel that feeds the growth of the hair strand. The metabolized drugs, after use, are carried from the blood into the hair follicle. Traces of drugs can then be detected within the length of the hair strand.
Collection
Hair testing requires cutting approximately 90 to 120 strands of hair. Hair samples cannot be provided from a brush or another unverifiable source – it must be taken directly from the donor’s head or another area of the body. Since hair samples are obtained under direct observation, in full view of the collector, the process nearly eliminates the likelihood of sample adulteration or specimen substitution.
Detection
Hair testing is popular for detecting long-term drug use, however it should not be utilized to detect recent drug use, as this method is unable to detect use within the last three to seven days. Hair testing is slightly more expensive than other testing methods