[jobseeker2013]

Hi I've recently been offered employment and in order to pass the medical I may have to pass a hair follicle drug test.

By the time I take the test it will be around 7 weeks since I took MDMA in powder form. It was the only use of drugs within the 90 day period and was a single small dose, less than a normal pill of ecstasy would be (just a single dab).

I realise that I'm within the 90 day detection period but am hoping that the small dose would not show up in my hair. I read that the detection limit is 500pg/mg but don't know what that equates to.

I have no intention of doing drugs again if I'm employed here but would be gutted if I miss out because of a single drunken night out.

If it is likely that the small amount will be detected, what would you advise me to do? Is there a way of removing the drug traces from my hair?

Thanks

[JudyKayTee]

I am reading it can be detected for 90 days. There is no measurement, so I don't know what a "dab" would be.

No, you cannot remove drugs from your hair follicle. That's why people shave their heads and testing has to be done on other body hair.

[jobseeker2013]

Thanks for the reply. A dab would be less than 1/2 an average ecstasy pill. Not sure if you know what the cut off limits are. I already understand I'm within the 90 day detection period, it's just the levels of dosage that can be detected that I'm interested in.

[dontknownuthin]

I am wondering if anyone knows whether this particular substance is among those that are tested for? I remember reading the protocol for hair follicle testing a couple years ago when it came up in a family law case I was working on - I don't remember this being on the panel but it could have been that I didn't know the scientific name.

[JudyKayTee]

I looked it up and don't recall the name of the panel BUT it said it's the #1 recreational drug (amazed me, by the way) and so tests are being performed.

Of course, tests vary.

And my concern, as always, is that once you use and pass... do you use again?

[jobseeker2013]

I think it shows up as amphetamines

[JudyKayTee]

The question is what type of panel, whether it's a common panel (and that depends on the employer and job), not how it shows up.

[jobseeker2013]

The question is what type of panel, whether or not it's a common panel (and that depends on the employer and job), not how it shows up.

The original question is what levels of the drug would show up in a hair folicle test.

As stated I've read it is 500pg/mg, but not sure what this means in terms of an isolated instance or prolonged continual use etc.

I know its difficult to predict with regards to peoples individual, sizes, metabolisms, etc. but was hoping for a guide along the lines of 3 pills within 90 days will show up
But 1/2 a pill within 90 days will not.

Does anyone have a rule of thumb guideline like this?

[JudyKayTee]

Sorry. I read the question to be: "If it is likely that the small amount will be detected, what would you advise me to do? Is there a way of removing the drug traces from my hair?"

Yes, I said it is likely. This is hair follicle testing, not urine, where the drug passes through your body. It attaches itself (in layman's terms) to the hair and stays there until it grows out. The amount does not matter from what I am reading. I am assuming I am reading what everyone else is reading, nothing new there. Heavier usage = a higher test result.

As far as advising you what to do AMHD does not allow anyone to help anyone circumvent the legal/testing system.

[mydogfifi]

A hair follicle drug test is meant to show consistent use over time. A 1.5 inch sample taken from the scalp will go back 90 days. MDMA is tested under the amphetamine category. Since you did not take much of the drug you should be good to pass. Also it will be to your advantage that they are using the higher cutoff level of 500.