7 Facts About a 7 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Test

When it comes to drug testing, the 7 panel hair follicle drug test is gaining popularity as a more comprehensive and reliable screening method. Unlike traditional urine tests that only detect recent substance use, hair follicle testing can reveal a much wider window of past drug exposure. If you’re facing an upcoming 7 panel hair follicle drug test, here are seven key facts you should know:

1. What gets tested?

The standard 7 panel hair follicle drug test screens for seven specific substances: marijuana, cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine, amphetamines, PCP, and ecstasy/MDMA. This diverse panel helps employers and others identify the use of some of the most commonly abused illegal and prescription drugs.

2. How far back does it detect?

One of the major advantages of a 7 panel hair follicle drug test is its wide detection window. Most labs can reliably test for drug use going back approximately 90 days from the time the hair sample was collected. This extended window makes it very difficult for an individual to abstain briefly and still pass the test.

3. What kind of sample is required?

For a standard hair follicle analysis, the collector will snip a small sample of hair (approximately 100-120 strands) from the crown of the head. Body hair can also be used if head hair is insufficient, but head hair testing is preferable. About 1.5 inches of hair growth is needed for the 90-day window.

4. How are samples analyzed?

Hair samples are first washed and treated to remove any potential external contamination or residue. The hair strands are then dissolved using harsh solvents and chemicals to extract any ingested drug compounds. Immunoassay screenings and advanced GC/MS confirmation tests can then detect even trace amounts of illicit substances present in the hair shaft.

5. How accurate is it?

When collected and tested properly by a certified lab, the accuracy rate of a 7 panel hair follicle drug test is estimated to be over 99%. There is virtually no way for an individual to substitute or adulterate a hair sample, making this testing method highly reliable compared to other biological specimens like urine or oral fluid.

6. What about second-hand exposure?

Since hair follicle testing requires drugs to have been ingested and metabolized within the body, external smoke or casual contact is generally not an issue. However, there are very few studies on the impacts of extreme secondhand exposure over long periods of time.

7. How long do results take?

Testing turnaround times tend to be slower with hair than instant urine screens since hair analysis requires extensive sample preparation and handling. Most labs can provide negative results for a 7 panel hair follicle drug test within 3-5 business days, while positive results may take up to 10 days or more to confirm.

While a 7 panel hair follicle drug test may seem more invasive than a standard urine analysis, the extended detection window and unparalleled accuracy have made this technique increasingly popular – especially for employers, courts, and others with a zero-tolerance policy. Understanding the facts about how it works is essential for anyone preparing to face this comprehensive drug screening.