What Does A 9 Panel Hair Follicle Test Screen For?

A hair drug screening, or hair follicle test, is a way for employers to test whether an individual has a history of drug abuse. Many employers conduct random drug tests throughout employment, or following a workplace accident to determine if drug use was the cause of the accident. You may even be asked to participate in a pre-employment drug screening before you start a new job. Such drug tests can detect the use of a variety of substances, including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, opiates, phencyclidine, and propoxyphene within the past 90 days.

A 9 panel hair follicle test can give the employer information that can establish whether an employee has used drugs within the past 90 days. A hair follicle test is considered more effective than urine screening because it can detect more drugs in the system over a wider window of time. Hair screenings are also considered more secure than urine screenings, since they are nearly impossible to cheat.

The hair follicle test can detect whether a person has used any of the following drugs in the past 90 days:

• Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepine
• Cocaine
• Marijuana (THC)
• Methadone
• Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Hydrocodone, etc.)
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Propoxyphene

If you are asked to provide a hair sample as part of a pre-employment screening, you may be sent to a third-party laboratory for the testing. You may need to make your own appointment at the testing facility within a specific window of time.

The hair follicle test is a quick, simple procedure. The technician cuts a small section of hair (up to about 100 strands) measuring about 1.5 inches from the root. The procedure is painless and noninvasive, and takes just moments to perform. If you are bald or have very short hair, hair samples can be taken from armpit hair, leg hair, chest hair, or beard hair. For people with no hair on their body, it is impossible to perform a hair follicle drug test.

After the collection, the hair sample is sent to a lab for screening, where tests can detect the presence of drug molecules within the strands of hair. A 9-panel hair follicle drug test will show the presence of trace amounts of drugs, indicating whether or not there is a history of drug use or painkiller abuse. This includes drugs that fall into nine categories of street and prescription drugs. These include drugs such as Ecstasy or Molly (MDMA), Heroin, Codeine, Morphine, Angel Dust (PCP), Xanax, Valium, and more.

It is a myth that certain shampoos can remove traces of drugs from hair. Also, it is incorrect that secondhand smoke can produce a false positive result. Hair follicle screenings are performed by drug analysis laboratories staffed by medical professionals. In many cases, the laboratory will notify you of any non-negative results, to allow you an opportunity to disclose any valid prescription medications you may be taking.

If you would like more information regarding 9 panel hair follicle tests, contact The Sedona Group in Austin, TX.

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