A hair strand test is a method to detect the presence of substances in the system of a person using a small sample of hair. Accordingly, the process begins with the collection of hair samples. Then, the conductor will forward it to a laboratory for analysis. Furthermore, hair follicle testing offers the most extended detection window. It can detect substances for up to 90 days. Nevertheless, this window of detection provides a more comprehensive overview of the substance use history.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a severe issue that affects millions. It may be due to drug usage or excessive alcohol consumption. Hence, drug and alcohol testing is becoming popular in various industries and organisations. There are multiple types of tests. It may include urine tests, saliva testing, and blood tests. However, hair analysis is becoming a preferred method due to its long detection window. This article will present hair testing, how it works, and its detection window.

What is a Hair Strand Test?

A hair strand test is a precise method to detect substances in the body of a person by analysing a small sample of hair. It can identify drug classes (illegal drugs and prescription drugs) and alcohol. Nevertheless, this approach is grounded in the fact that when someone consumes drugs or alcohol, traces of these substances enter the bloodstream. Accordingly, they are embedded in the hair stands.

Professionals often use strand testing in various settings for its accuracy and the long window of detection. Employers might implement hair drug testing. It may be as part of pre-employment testing or random testing. Furthermore, child welfare and legal testing frequently rely on hair follicle drug tests. It is during court cases to establish evidence of drug use in matters such as drug-related offences.

Rehabilitation centres also use hair follicle tests to monitor the progress of individuals in substance abuse recovery programs. It provides clear evidence of abstinence or their commitment to sobriety. Furthermore, healthcare professionals utilise hair follicle drug testing to assess if a person has substance abuse issues. The testing can provide information that helps practitioners create treatment plans.

Advantages of Hair Testing

The following are the advantages of hair testing from urine, blood, and oral fluid tests:

• Extended Detection Period: Hair testing stands outs for its ability to detect alcohol and drug usage over a much longer window, up to 90 days.
• Difficult to Cheat: Since the collection of hair samples are directly observe, it reduces the chances of tampering or substituting samples.
• Low Invasiveness: Collecting a hair sample is considerably less invasive.
• High Accuracy: Hair sample testing is highly accurate and can provide quantitative information.
• Useful Historical Analysis: Hair drug tests are beneficial for identifying patterns of substance use over time.

How Does a Hair Strand Test Work?

A hair strand test works by leveraging the fact that when someone consumes drugs or alcohol, these substances enter the bloodstream. Eventually, it reaches the hair follicles, and as the hair grows, it incorporates these substances. Nevertheless, the process begins when a conductor collects a small segment of hair. It is usually a head hair, typically around 90 to 120 hair strands.

Accordingly, the conductor sends the sample to a laboratory for testing. Initially, professionals clean the specimen to remove external contaminants. Technicians extract any substances from the hair sample using a chemical process. Afterwards, the specimens undergo testing. Professionals may use immunoassay (initial screening) and mass spectrometry (confirmatory testing).

Experts review the test results to determine which substances are present and in what quantities. Since the hair grows approximately half an inch per month, the analysis can approximate when the substance use occurred within the detection window. Finally, the laboratory compiles and summarises the test results. They will forward the report back to the requesting entity or party.

Detectable Substances

Hair follicle drug tests can detect the presence of illicit drugs. It may include cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy. These substances are illegal and may cause significant impairment. In addition, the testing method can identify the presence of prescription medications. It can be crucial for monitoring compliance in treatment programs. Among these medications, the test can identify codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines.

The test can also detect ethanol. It is the main alcohol component found in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits. Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly impair motor and cognitive skills.

Window of Detection for Hair Strand Test

A hair strand test serves as a powerful tool for detecting substance use over an extended period. Unlike tests using blood or urine, which primarily catch recent substance intake, a hair analysis offers a broader detection window. It reveals alcohol or drug usage for up to 90 days. This significant span is due to the slow growth of hair, approximately half an inch per month, which incorporates traces of substances.

When someone consumes drugs or alcohol, the substances circulate through the bloodstream. Because hair follicles receive nourishment from the blood, they also capture and store any circulating substances. Nevertheless, these substances become locked in the hair strands as the hair grows.

The window of detection begins roughly a week after substance use. It is the time it takes for the hair to grow above the scalp and for substances to be detectable. It is essential to note that while the test can trace substance use back up to three months, the exact time frame may vary depending on the hair growth rate. Several factors can also affect the window of detection.

Factors that May Affect the Detection Window

Foremost, hair colour and type can impact the detection process. Studies suggest that drugs or alcohol may bind more readily to melanin, a pigment found in dark hair. Secondly, chemical treatments such as hair dyes and other hair products can alter the structure of hair. It can lead to a possible underestimation.

Additionally, environmental contamination or exposure to drugs could theoretically lead to trace amounts of drugs being absorbed into the hair. Although less common, it underscores the importance of considering all possible sources of substance exposure, not just intentional use. Furthermore, the hair growth rate is the most crucial in the detection window.

Conclusion

In summary, the hair strand test is a valuable tool to detect the presence of substances in the system of a person. Professionals, such as employers, legal authorities, and medical practitioners, often utilise the method. Accordingly, hair testing presents numerous advantages. It has an extended detection period, is difficult to cheat, is less invasive, is highly accurate, and provides historical analysis. The test can also detect substances like cannabis, cocaine, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and ethanol.

Furthermore, hair testing works by leveraging that when a person consumes drugs or alcohol, it enters the bloodstream. Subsequently, these substances reach and embed in the hair. The testing process begins with the hair collection procedure. Then, the conductor sends the sample to a testing facility. At the lab, the specimen undergoes a series of testing. Moreover, a hair test has the most extended detection window of about 90 days. However, knowing the factors that can influence is crucial.