How to Pass a Drug Test Through Hair Follicles

Drug tests can sometimes be a barrier, even for sober and healthy individuals, preventing them from passing. It could cost a qualified candidate their job opportunity or complicate legal matters. Don't worry if you're about to undergo a hair follicle drug test. If you make use of the information below, you'll have a chance to avoid the dreaded 'positive' result.

Know when you may be required to take a drug test. Each state and county has different drug testing laws. The recruitment process often requires candidates to undergo drug tests, especially for lower-level positions or new employees. In the U.S., federal agencies conducting drug tests follow the process outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Private businesses usually have more freedom with their drug testing processes. However, state laws vary.

• In the U.S., companies hiring truck drivers for goods transport are required to implement drug testing programs.
• Some employers may even request a drug test after you've been hired. They may include random drug testing clauses in employment contracts or request a test if you're involved in a workplace accident. It's important to understand the company's drug testing policy before accepting a job offer.
• Research local laws if you're unsure whether a certain activity or job requires a drug test.

Learn about the most commonly tested drugs. In the United States, companies following SAMHSA guidelines typically test for five main drug groups:

• Amphetamines (methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA))
• Cocaine (powder and crack cocaine)
• THC (dried cannabis flowers, resin, cannabis edibles)
• Opioids (heroin, codeine, morphine)
• Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)
• Alcohol is occasionally tested alongside these drugs.

Know the other drugs that companies might test for. Private companies are not required to conduct the basic SAMHSA tests. Many companies opt for expanded testing to detect additional drugs. The most commonly chosen drugs for extended screening include:

• Barbiturates (phenobarbital, butalbital, secobarbital, painkillers)
• Benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium, Xanax)
• Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
• Methadone (used for heroin addiction treatment)
• Propoxyphene (Darvon Compound)
• Nicotine (and its intermediate product, cotinine)

Understand which drugs are rarely tested for. These substances may be detectable in hair tests, but they are seldom tested for:

• Hallucinogens (LSD, magic mushrooms, mescaline, peyote)
• Inhalants
• Anabolic steroids
• Hydrocodone (Oxycodone, Vicodin)

Grasp the principle behind hair testing. Once you use a drug, its active compounds circulate throughout your body. These compounds, or their metabolites released during the digestion process, may accumulate in hair follicles. As your hair grows, the follicle retains these chemicals. A hair test detects these substances in a small hair sample.

Understand the handling of hair samples. A small hair sample (usually 1-3 locks, each containing around 50 strands) is taken, often from the back of the head to avoid damaging your hairstyle.

• The standard detection window for hair testing is 90 days. Since hair grows at a rate of about 3.8 cm in 90 days, the sample is usually taken from areas with approximately 4 cm of hair. Longer hair allows for a longer detection period. For example, a 15 cm segment of hair could detect drug use from a year ago. However, 90 days is the most common detection window, so longer segments are often trimmed to 3.8 cm before testing.
• Depending on the type of drug and specifics of the testing process, hair tests may or may not reveal ongoing drug use. For example, opiates bind tightly to the hair shaft, while cocaine can move along the shaft. In such cases, some tests can detect opiate use based on its location along the shaft, but cocaine is not detectable in the same way.
• If you have no hair (due to balding or shaving your head), body hair from other areas may be used for testing.
• Note: Since it takes about a week for hair affected by drugs to grow out of the scalp, hair tests may not detect recent drug use. For this reason, some companies also require urine tests to detect drug use from the previous few days. Be sure to check what tests are required.

Stop using any drugs immediately. Cease drug use as soon as you know you'll be taking a drug test. If possible, stop using all drugs before you start your job search. Hair tests can detect certain drugs, like marijuana, up to 90 days prior. For this reason, you should stop using drugs about three months before starting your job search.

If you're in an urgent situation, try using home methods. If you have been using drugs regularly within the last 90 days and need to take a hair test this weekend, you might consider using commercial products or home methods to improve your chances of passing the test. These methods have not been scientifically proven to be effective. Some people claim success, but there is no verified evidence.

Before taking the test, thoroughly wet your hair with white vinegar. It may be unpleasant, but it’s worth trying! Slowly apply the vinegar to your entire head of hair for about 10 minutes to allow it to absorb as much as possible.

Leave the vinegar on your hair for about 15-20 minutes. Do not rinse it out with water. This is the time for the vinegar to penetrate your hair and scalp.

Next, apply a salicylic acid acne treatment product. Use an acne treatment that contains 2% salicylic acid. Slowly pour this solution onto your hair so that the liquid can fully soak in. Leave the vinegar and acne treatment on your hair for about 30 minutes.

Evenly distribute one capful of liquid laundry detergent onto your hair. Do not rinse the vinegar and acid out of your hair before performing this step.

Add a little water to one capful of laundry powder to make a solution. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for about 20-30 minutes.

• If possible, focus on applying these products to the back of your head, as hair samples are mostly taken from this area.

Rinse your hair thoroughly with water. Do not use shampoo or conditioner.

Dye your hair using a standard hair dye kit. Rinse your hair with water. Use the conditioner that usually comes with the hair dye kit.

Repeat if necessary. The instructions for this method are inconsistent - some people recommend repeating it once daily for 4-5 days before the test, while others suggest doing it just once.

Look for hair treatment products. With just a few quick searches online, you'll find many shampoos and commercial products claiming to help beat a drug test. Many of these products are quite expensive, so try to find one that is reasonably priced and has positive user reviews.

• Be cautious of fake reviews and certifications. Unethical companies can easily pay for good reviews or even fabricate them.

Research the product. Don’t just trust the testimonials on the product's sales page – check out forum posts and honest discussions online. If a product is ineffective, you’ll typically find many angry complaints or harsh criticisms.

• Choose a product that offers a money-back guarantee. While this might seem obvious, it’s worth mentioning. Given that these products are often expensive, you’ll likely want to protect your investment in case you lose your job.

Use the product according to the instructions. Remember, since this product isn’t scientifically verified, there’s no guarantee of success.

Hire a lawyer. It's unlikely you'll be hired if a drug test is part of the application process. However, if you are tested after an accident or as part of a probation program, you may face criminal penalties. A lawyer can assist you in challenging the test results and advise you on the next steps.

Consider playing the racial discrimination card. The common perception of drug use can be influenced by racial biases. If you belong to a minority group, there may be a small chance to prove discrimination during the testing process. For example, if you are tested while other candidates are not, you could file a discrimination complaint.

• Sometimes it is believed that thick or curly hair can result in false positive drug test results. Although scientific studies haven't confirmed this, you might be able to deceive an uninformed employer.

Try requesting a second test. Dispute the results by any means to request a retest. You could claim that the test failed because you accidentally consumed something harmless that caused a false positive. Some foods that might cause a false positive include:

• Poppy seeds. Since opiates are derived from the poppy plant, poppy seed bagels and muffins can cause a false positive result.
• Adderall, a medication for ADHD. This prescription drug often contains amphetamines.
• Some cold and flu medications. Over-the-counter cold medicines may contain pseudoephedrine, an amphetamine used in methamphetamine production.
• Nicotine replacement therapies, such as Nicorette gum, Nicoderm CQ patches, and prescription nicotine inhalers, will cause a positive result for nicotine and cotinine.
• Frequent exposure to second-hand smoke (passive smoking) can also result in a positive nicotine/cotinine test, even if you don't use nicotine or smoke yourself.
• Many companies test for nicotine/cotinine in their employees and candidates, and a positive result can lead to termination or disqualification, even if you are in a medically supervised smoking cessation program or if you don't smoke but live in a household with smokers.

Accept any treatment solution offered. Instead of firing employees who test positive, some companies require them to enter treatment programs or recommend they seek support on their own. The cost of treatment is much lower for the company compared to offering a costly severance package. In such cases, don't refuse treatment even if you are a responsible drug user – you might be terminated and lose your pension or other benefits.

• The term "hair follicle drug test" is somewhat misleading. In reality, it's not the hair follicles that are tested, but rather a hair sample taken from your scalp. Don't worry about anyone pulling your hair out.
• Of course, the best way to pass a drug test is to avoid using drugs altogether.

• If you try the vinegar hair wash method, be cautious if you have allergies to any of its ingredients.
• Applying laundry soap and acne medication to your scalp may dry out your skin. Be careful – if you show up at the testing facility with obvious scalp irritation, the test staff might suspect you're trying to cheat the test.
• Therefore, you must remember: home remedies are not guaranteed to succeed.

• 7.5 liters of white vinegar
• 1 box of hair dye
• 1 scoop of laundry detergent powder
• 1 cap of liquid laundry soap
• 1 bottle of salicylic acid acne treatment; you should purchase a liquid product like Noxzema containing 2% salicylic acid.