Drug testing is sometimes the only obstacle that hinders the success of people who are actually physically and mentally healthy. Drug test results can prevent qualified job applicants from getting jobs or can add to existing legal problems. If you suspect there will be a hair follicle test, don't panic. With the following information available to you, you stand a chance of avoiding the worrying “positive” test result.
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Part 1 of 4: Estimating Your Chances
Step 1. Know when you will have a drug test
Laws regarding drug testing vary by state and city. Job applicants usually have to undergo a drug test as part of the job application process, particularly for low-level or entry-level jobs. In the United States, federal agencies that require drug testing follow drug testing procedures established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Private employers are usually more liberal when it comes to their drug testing procedures. However, the laws vary by state.
- In the United States, companies that hire commercial drivers must have a drug testing program in place.
- Certain employers may require you to undergo a drug test even after you are hired. An impromptu drug test may be included in the terms of employment, or you may be required to take a drug test if you are involved in an accident at work. Make sure you understand the company's rules regarding drug testing before you accept a job offer.
- Check your local laws if you're not sure whether a particular activity or job requires a drug test.
Step 2. Know what types of drugs are tested most often
In the United States, employers following the SAMHSA drug testing guidelines typically test for five specific types of drugs. The types of drugs are:
- Amphetamine (methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA))
- Cocaine (Powder and "crack"/crystal form)
- THC (marijuana, hash, edible cannabis products)
- Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust / angel powder)
- Alcohol is sometimes also tested as well as the types of drugs above.
Step 3. Know which types of drugs the employer may test
Private employers are not required to take the SAMHSA drug test. Many have chosen to expand drug testing to also detect additional drugs. The most common additions include:
- Barbiturates (phenobarbital, butalbital, secobarbital, sedatives)
- Benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium, Xanax)
- Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
- Methadone (drug used to treat heroin addiction)
- Propoxyphene (Darvon compound)
- Nicotine (and the nicotine product, cotinine)
Step 4. Know what medications aren't usually tested
The following drugs are usually detected on a hair test, but are very rarely detected on purpose.
- Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms, mescaline, peyote)
- Inhalants / suction drugs
- Anabolic steroids
- Hydrocodone (Oxycodone, Vicodin)
Step 5. Understand how the hair test works
Once you take any medication, the active chemicals in the drug will circulate in your body. These chemicals, or certain other chemicals that are produced when your body processes the drug (called metabolites), can accumulate in your hair follicles. As a strand of hair grows in length, its follicles accumulate these chemicals in them. A hair test looks for these chemicals in a small sample of your hair.
Step 6. Learn how your hair is processed
Hair test cutting a small amount of your hair for a sample (usually 1-3 clumps, about 50 strands each). Most haircut samples are taken from the hair at the back of the head so as not to spoil your hairstyle.
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The standard detection time period for the hair test is 90 days.
Since hair grows about 3.8 cm in 90 days, hair with a length of about 3.8 cm is targeted for cutting. Longer hair will provide a longer detection time period. For example, a 15cm strand of hair could potentially reveal drug use a year ago. However, 90 days is the most common detection time period, so long hair is usually cut to 3.8 cm before testing.
- Depending on the type of drug and the specific testing process, a hair test may or may not detect whether drug use has stopped. For example, opiates are tightly bound to the hair shaft, whereas cocaine can travel along the hair shaft. In this case, certain tests can detect the approximate time of use of the opiate based on its position on the hair shaft, whereas this is impossible for cocaine.
- If no hair is available on your head (you are bald or your head is shaved bald), hair from other parts of the body may be used for the test.
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Notes: Because it can take up to a week for drug-affected hair to grow on the scalp, hair tests may miss drug use in the very near future.
Therefore, some employers also require urine tests, which can detect most drug use in the near future. Know which type of test you will be taking.
Step 7. Stop drug use immediately
As soon as you know that you are going to have to take a drug test, stop using drugs. If possible, stop using drugs before you even start looking for work. Hair tests can detect use of some types of drugs, such as marijuana, up to 90 days after the time of use. Therefore, it is best to stop using drugs three months before the day you plan to start looking for work.
Step 8. If your situation is urgent, try home remedies
If you've used drugs frequently in the last 90 days and you need to have a hair test at the end of the week, you might consider using a commercially available product or a self-administered home treatment method to increase your chances of passing your test. These methods have not been scientifically proven to work.
These methods are only supported by unverified individual success stories.
Part 2 of 4: Home Treatment with Vinegar Solution
Step 1. At home, before you have the test, start by wetting your hair with white vinegar
It might make you nauseous, but it's worth it! Gently rinse the vinegar through your hair, over 10 minutes so that the hair is completely wetted.
Step 2. Leave it for 15-20 minutes
Don't wash. This will give the vinegar time to soak into your hair and scalp.
Step 3. Next, wet your hair with salicylic acid which is usually used to treat acne
Use concentrated salicylic acid 2%. Again, pour in slowly and allow the liquid to soak into your hair. Leave the vinegar and salicylic acid on your hair for about 30 minutes.
Step 4. Wet your hair with one bottle cap of liquid detergent
Do not wash the vinegar and salicylic acid from your hair before doing this.
Step 5. Add a little water to 1 tablespoon of powdered detergent to make a paste
Rinse the paste on your scalp and hair. Leave this mixture on your hair for about 20-30 minutes.
If possible, focus these products more on the back of your head as samples are most often taken from this area
Step 6. Wash all product off your hair
Do not use shampoo or conditioner.
Step 7. Color your hair using a regular hair dye kit that can be purchased at stores
Clean wash. Use the conditioner that is usually included in the hair dye kit.
Step 8. Repeat if needed
Instructions for this method vary - some recommend repeating this method once a day for four or five days before your test, while others recommend doing this method only once.
Part 3 of 4: Commercial Solution
Step 1. Find and buy hair care products
A quick search online will usually find a range of commercially available shampoos and care products that claim to get you through a hair test for drug detection. These treatments can be very expensive, so look for one that is well-reviewed and has a reasonable price.
Beware of false reviews and testimonies. It's easy for bad companies to pay people to give positive reviews or even fake those reviews entirely
Step 2. Research your product
Don't rely on testimonials on sites that sell the product - look for forum posts or other free online discussions. Often, if a product doesn't work, you'll find complaints or angry cursing in online discussions/forums.
Choose a product that offers a money back guarantee. This seems obvious, but it deserves another mention. Since these products can be quite expensive, you will want to protect your money if you end up losing your job
Step 3. Use the product you purchased according to the instructions
Keep in mind that, because these products are not scientifically verified, your success is not guaranteed.
Part 4 of 4: Dealing with Test Results
Step 1. Hire an attorney
You will most likely not be hired if you take the test as part of the job application process. However, if you are tested after an accident or for parole/probation, you may be subject to criminal sanctions. A lawyer can help you debate test results and suggest how to act.
Step 2. Consider playing a race card
Popular ideas about drug use can be linked to racial stereotypes. If you are a racial minority, you may have the slightest opportunity to prove discrimination during the test process. If you are tested and another job applicant is not, for example, you can claim discrimination.
Thick hair and strange styles are sometimes claimed to be the cause of false positive results on drug tests. While scientific research has yet to prove this, you may be able to fool an uninformed employer
Step 3. Try to get a chance to get a re-test
Dispute the results of the first test in any way you can to get a second test chance. One way to do this is to claim that the failed test result was the result of you consuming something legitimate that caused a false positive result. Some of the things that can result in a false positive on a drug test include:
- Poppy seeds. Because opiates come from the poppy plant, muffins or bagels containing poppy seeds can cause false positives.
- Adderall / ADHD. Medications prescribed for the treatment of ADHD are usually from the amphetamine class of drugs.
- Certain cold/flu medicines. Over-the-counter cold medicines may contain the active ingredient pseudoephedrine, which is the amphetamine used in the manufacture of methamphetamine (meth.)
- Nicotine replacement therapy products, such as chewing gums such as Nicorette, patches such as Nicoderm CQ, prescription nicotine inhalers, and other nicotine-based products used to help quit smoking will lead to positive results for nicotine and cotinine.
- Severe exposure to second-hand smoke (‘passive smoking’) can also lead to a positive nicotine/cotinine test result, even if you have never used nicotine or tobacco yourself.
- More and more employers are testing employees and job applicants for nicotine/cotinine, and a positive result could result in you losing your job or having your job application rejected, even if you are on a smoking cessation program that prescribes drugs, and even if you are not a smoker but just live in a smoking household.
Step 4. Accept any treatment options required
Sometimes, instead of firing an employee who fails a drug test, the employer will require the employee to undergo a treatment program or recommend that they seek help/treatment on their own. For employers, caring for employees is cheaper than paying severance pay. If so, do not refuse treatment, even if you are a responsible user - otherwise you may be fired and lose your pension or other benefits.
Tips
- The term "hair follicle test" is a bit of a misnomer. Hair follicles are not taken or tested - only the part of the hair above the skin is tested. So, don't worry, your hair won't be pulled out.
- The best way to pass any drug test is, of course, simply to avoid using drugs.
Warning
- If you try the vinegar solution method, be aware of any allergies you may have to the ingredients used in the vinegar solution method.
- Using detergents and acne medications on the scalp can dry out your skin. Be careful - if you show up for your test with a visibly irritated scalp, your examiner may suspect that you are trying to manipulate the test results.
- This statement deserves to be repeated in particular: Home care is not guaranteed success.
