I am taking a hair follicle test soon as part of a drug screening for my local PD. However, at the time of the test it will have been 88 days since I ingested one 10mg Adderall XR. It is the one and only time I have ever taken it. Two months ago I had a long drive and without thinking I took it so that I would remain awake for the drive. The drug company being used is psychemedics and they state they use guidelines similar to SAMHSA. Similar labs use those guidelines which leads me to believe that the cutoff levels will be 300 pg/mg for methamphetamines. The only place I have hair long enough to cut for this 90 day test is on my leg, so I know it's coming from there. I'm also aware that hair from this part grows much slower than on my head, plus there is the 10 or so days it takes to show up in the follicle. So, I'm sure my use will be in that window. Also, my hair is brown which I believe also works against me.


My questions are: At a growth rate of .3mm of hair on the day of use and a cutoff level of 300 pg/mg, will my one time use of Adderall 10mg XR be enough to fail? Is there a formula I can use to calculate any of this? Even though the metabolites are locked in the follicle, after 2 months and regular washing does the hair deteriorate? Some of what I have read also states that there is also a percentage that is digested and excreted by the body and therefore won't make it to hair growth. Is this true?


Before just asking the internet I did want to do some research but some of what I have read is just too technical, and a lot of the other posts I have read have someone saying "it will be fine." and an immediate contradicting post that says "it will show up forever." Plus, most post authors don't share the results.

I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. But from a case study once years ago I believe to be detectable in a hair test you would have needed to take several more doses than one and for a longer period. Washing or not washing makes no difference because I believe the test is the inside of your hair. But for the sake of friends and family keep washing.

Having said that why the worry. Regardless of how much worrying you do, the results will be what the results will be. You took a pill and you're going to be tested. Those cards will fall where they may regardless of how much you worry about it.

Thanks for the response. You are correct, worrying won't help me at this point. I have no choice but to stay the course and what happens can not change. But since I am taking the test tomorrow I can't help but dwell on it. Likely until I receive the results. It's my nature. It's important because it also affects my career path. The fact that a single stupid decision could potentially harm my future also sucks. Again, thank you for the response. I do appreciate your time.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. One pill 88 days ago doesn't seem measurable to me. If memory serves me correctly, I think the measuring stick was for every inch of hair they can go back 30 days. So I doubt leg hair will get them to 90 days.

But regardless whatever happens don't beat yourself up over it or anything else for that matter. Life is a bunch of learning experiences. If this door closes then kick a new door open.

Good luck and let us know.

Don't over analyze it. A hair drug test is meant to show consistent use over time. A 1.5 inch sample, cut at the scalp line, will go back 90 days. As far as body hair goes we stopped putting time frames on the hair drug test result sheet. Body hair has a lot different growing cycle than head hair so it has what I would call an "indeterminate" time frame. I use to tell people it was about 9-12 months. Also a one time use will not show up so I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.