I might have to take a hair folicle and urine analysis in the next couple weeks. I smoked two hits of marijuana from a bong a week ago. They weren't big hits they were relatively small. And before that I have not smoked in a year. I work outside and workout 4 times a week, so my metabolism somewhat high. Will I pass my tests?

A hair test (HDT) is not going to detect that level of use. The time span is unimportant as is your metabolism. THC and COOH, the metabolites tested for, are simply not readily incorporated into hair. Require multiple and sustained use to show up in HDT.

A hair test (HDT) is not going to detect that level of use. The time span is unimportant as is your metabolism. THC and COOH, the metabolites tested for, are simply not readily incorporated into hair. Require multiple and sustained use to show up in HDT.

Thanks for your quick response. Will it make a difference if they take body hair? Because my hair is most likely to short for a test sample.

Thanks for your quick response. Will it make a difference if they take body hair? because my hair is most likely to short for a test sample.

Here is the problem. The incorporation rate into hair is about the same. Chest hair will measure the same as head hair, under arm a little less than head hair, but pubic hair could measure a lot higher. While the amount absorbed may be nearly equivalent the growth rate varies. So my worry would be that there is a greater chance for detection of the use from a year ago in these alternative sites. Of course that depends on how heavily you used a year ago and it probably an outside chance of detection. Except for pubic hair.

Here is the problem. The incorporation rate into hair is about the same. Chest hair will measure the same as head hair, under arm a little less than head hair, but pubic hair could measure a lot higher. While the amount absorbed may be nearly equivalent the growth rate varies. So my worry would be that there is a greater chance for detection of the use from a year ago in these alternative sites. Of course that depends on how heavily you used a year ago and it probably an outside chance of detection. Except for pubic hair.

I was not a heavy user a year ago just occasionally. Maybe 10 times a month. And I do not think my pubic hair is long enough for a sample either. So what would be the best place for them to test?

They usually go for axillary (under arm) and that is even less likely than head hair to show THC. It's not terribly important as regardless of site chosen hair is a poor medium for THC. Regardless of substance tested for always avoid pubic hair. That usually isn't an issue.

They usually go for axillary (under arm) and that is even less likely than head hair to show THC. It's not terribly important as regardless of site chosen hair is a poor medium for THC. Regardless of substance tested for always avoid pubic hair. That usually isn't an issue.

So, in your opinion do you think I have a good chance to test negative?

It would be exceptional if you did not.

Keep us posted with the result.

It would be exceptional if you did not.

Keep us posted with the result.

I will thank you for the advice.

A couple more questions. How do you think I will fare on the urine analysis? And would it be to my benefit to prolong the test as long as possible or would it make a difference?

THC is more easily detected in urine than hair. In hair they are looking for only one metabolite, COOH, where in urine screen any of the many cannabinoids or combination thereof will show up. While the amount smoked is unlikely to result in a positive, the nature of the metabolites are somewhat unpredictable and I wouldn't be entirely comfortable at a one week interval... just to be safe.

While I can't advise you on a specific action I can tell you that time is your best friend in any type of drug testing.

THC is more easily detected in urine than hair. In hair they are looking for only one metabolite, COOH, where in urine screen any of the many cannabinoids or combination thereof will show up. While the amount smoked is unlikely to result in a positive, the nature of the metabolites are somewhat unpredictable and I wouldn't be entirely comfortable at a one week interval...just to be safe.

While I can't advise you on a specific action I can tell you that time is your best friend in any type of drug testing.

How long before you would be comfortable taking the test?

Based on the amount smoked I doubt that THC was detectable for more than a few hours, in other words at peak. I see that you say that you are to test in the next couple weeks and that should be more than adequate.

Did you get the result back on your test? I have a hair test coming up. I am an extremely infrequent smoker - maybe 2-3 times at 2-3 hits in the last 3 months, but this is a pre-employment screen for a dream job, so I'm freaking out, naturally.

Did you get the result back on your test? I have a hair test coming up. I am an extremely infrequent smoker - maybe 2-3 times at 2-3 hits in the last 3 months, but this is a pre-employment screen for a dream job, so I'm freaking out, naturally.

Following are three (3) recent results from this site:

LINK 1 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/addictions/question-drbill-infrequent-user-marijuana-hair-drug-test-646940.html)

LINK 2 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/addictions/hair-drug-test-680223-2.html)

LINK 3 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/addictions/how-often-do-you-have-smoke-marijuana-show-up-hair-test-657780.html)

I have not Taken my test yet I'm sure it is coming soon

I passed my test - I knew research was in my favor, but I was still nervous.

Like I said, I'm an infrequent smoker, but have smoked a few times in the past few months leading up to my hair test. I have long blonde hair (naturally it's probably light brown) and I wasn't about to cut it.

I didn't really do anything extravagant to prepare for the hair test, but I did buy a detox shampoo (Magnum Detox Purifying Shampoo) and I followed the directions the night before I took the test, just for extra peace of mind.

I take adderall every day, at least 20mg, and that didn't show up in the hair test either. Just in case anyone is worried about that.

But yeah, thank you Dr Bill for providing lots of articles and other posts to help ease my mind! Hopefully this is helpful to other people, too!

Dr. Bill,

I am writing to you this evening because I have a follicle drug test for a company that uses Psychemedics in two days. Now, I rarely smoke. I did, however, smoke a few times over the weekend of August 4, 2012. I took maybe 8 to 10 hits over a two day period. Prior to that, I had not smoked in about 8 months. I'm freaking out here because I desperately want this job and I don't consider myself a stoner, I just happened to make a few bad decisions while I was drunk. Any suggestions or advice you would have for me would be extremely grateful.

Thank you!

Dr. Bill,

I am writing to you this evening because I have a follicle drug test for a company that uses Psychemedics in two days. Now, I rarely smoke. I did, however, smoke a few times over the weekend of August 4, 2012. I took maybe 8 to 10 hits over a two day period. Prior to that, I had not smoked in about 8 months. I'm freaking out here because I desperately want this job and I don't consider myself a stoner, I just happened to make a few bad decisions while I was drunk. Any suggestions or advice you would have for me would be extremely greatful.

Thank you!

Given the usage that you describe THC-COOH will not be in your hair. In order for this metabolite to rise to the level of detection requires sustained use across a period. “In contrast to other illicit drugs, hair analysis lacks the sensitivity to act as a detector for cannabinoids” according to Musshoff and many other researchers.

DuPont 2008 (http://www.preventionnotpunishment.org/pdfs/RandomStudentDrugTests9608.pdf), Random Student Drug Tests Are They Effective for Identifying Occasional Drug Users? p. 8

Musshoff F, Madea B. (2006) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16628124) Review of biologic matrices (urine, blood, hair) as indicators of recent or ongoing cannabis use. There Drug Monit. Apr 2006;28(2):155-63

Thank you, Dr. Bill. I appreciate your response and keeping me somewhat at ease. Although I am still very worried and freaked out, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Btw, what's the best body part to keep tested? Hair? Arm? Legs?

I'll keep you posted of if I pass or not.

I took the rest on Monday and it's now been three days. Should I be more or less worried? How many days does this whole thing normally take?

Lab turnaround time is 48-72 hours. That's after the sample arrives.

Passed my test and got the job offer a few days ago! Thanks, Dr. Bill for all your knowledge! Respect.

Thank you, Dr. Bill. I appreciate your response and keeping me somewhat at ease. Although I am still very worried and freaked out, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Btw, what's the best body part to keep tested? Hair? Arm? Legs?

I'll keep you posted of if I pass or not.

That is actually a two-part question. 1) Is THC likely to incorporate into body or head hair perferentially? Not likely. If the cumulative dose is sufficient to infuse into head hair it is likely to make it into all body hair. The vast majority of research deals with head hair however and the incorporation rate (ICR) into other sites is poorly elucidated.

Nonetheless, is it well established that THC only becomes detectable in hair after continued exposure.

Item 2 relates to detection time. Also poorly researched but relates to growth rate of hair in alternative sites. Unquestionably body hair (arm pit, legs, pubic) grow at slower and variable rates. That would mean that if THC reached the level of detection it would be detectable over a longer period in body hair than in head hair.

The only site that invariably tests higher (for all drugs) is pubic hair. The reason for this has yet to be explained.

Passed my test and got the job offer a few days ago! Thanks, Dr. Bill for all your knowledge! Respect.

Good luck on your new job.

I smoke 2 or 3 times in the last month will I pass a htc?

Hi Doc,

Recovering addict with 3 years clean until I relapsed on Nov. 3rd in a big way. My addiction has always been with pain pills but I tried Heroin on Nov 3rd because I'm an addict.

Here is the question: I did heroin on Nov 3rd. It was a half CC of I don't know. The guy who gave it to me told me it was a weak dose or what he would call half a hit. I also took three Loratab 10's on the 4th. I've been clean since then and have started hitting my NA meetings after 1 year of not going.

I have a possible hair follicle test coming on Nov. 28th in a child custody case. I know THC is not very detectable but I don't know if opiates/single use of heroin will show up on the test... I'm just an idiot.

I don't know... I've read bleaching your hair/re-dye will lower concentration levels but I just need some oppionion as to what you think my chances are... Being dumb like I am I guess I deserve what I get.

A hair test (HDT) is not going to detect that level of use. The time span is unimportant as is your metabolism. THC and COOH, the metabolites tested for, are simply not readily incorporated into hair. Require multiple and sustained use to show up in HDT.

Dr Bill,
Can you please advise.. I have just applied for a new job.. Great pay great benefits.. I had to take two drug screenings. One was urine and one was 5 panel expanded op hair test.

I have taken Vicodin and Percocet in the past three months. I think it was about 15 pills total. I have back issues from a car accident and had a really bad cold a friend told me to take Vicodin to help with cough. For my back I take them occasionally only one and at night. Not all the time just occasionally.
I think the most I ever took at one time was one pill each night for three nights when I was really sick coughing and then nothing for up to a week. My father gave these to me thinking he was helping me I cannot afford to go the doctor with my current job. I don't make enough to make ends meet. He will be sick if I do not pass.
I haven't taken any for the past two weeks. I was unaware that I would need to have a hair follicle test. I do not use cocaine or marijuana at all. I am really afraid I am not going to pass the hair follicle test and am sick to my stomach.

I did do the shampoo things listed on the internet regarding stripping the hair.. Not sure if that does any good. I used baking soda, vinegar, acne cleanser and tide.. I am surprised I even have hair left.

Any help is greatly appreciated!