Hair Follicle Drug Testing

[stevemurphy80]

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[pathologyDO]

First off... that is ridiculous, why would they go to such great lengths? I think if they drug test it would be urinary analysis.

On another note, sorry to be that guy, but you obviously have done drugs maybe not in the recent weeks but within the last year I would bet considering your concerns. If you seriously want to be a part of the medical profession, you had better get your act together and keep clean!

that is all.

 

[cliquesh]

Howdy,
New to the forum, and please no douchebag flame responses from holier than thous.
I am aware that some schools require drug testing prior to acceptance to schools (before 1st year, not before clinicals start), and I have no problem with that, but has anyone ever been hair follicle tested? Or heard of anyone getting hair follicle tested? Also, when they do the test, is it at orientation usually or at the interview? Thanks for the help.

My school didn't drug test us before we started. However, some clinical rotations sites did, including hair and urine.

They won't test you at the interview. You may be required to get tested before school starts, though.

I'd stop doing drugs today just to be safe. No reason to jeopardize your future.

 

[stevemurphy80]

Thanks for your help (both of you), and yes, I know that when you are a doctor, you cannot do any drugs for both legal and (more importantly) moral reasons, and while a student you can't do it because you won't have A) the time B) the money. I never did drugs that regularly, and I have been clean for a while now (as I said urine test is no problem), but without sounding vain I like having my hair long (4 or 5 inches), and I would prefer not to cut it, but I will if I think there is even a chance that they will hair test as a precondition for getting in. Any more responses on experience of type of test, time of test, etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deleted480308]

Just stop and you'll be fine

 

[drdre4]

a

 

[touchpause13]

How long ago does a hair follicle pick up on?

how do you know whether or not a site requires that type of test?

 

[drdre4]

a

 

[touchpause13]

i wanna say 6 months or so but dont even know where i heard that from so could be complete BS. She found out when doing all the clearance she needed to begin residency and be allowed in the hospital. It was part of the physical provided by the hospital

Oh ok. I've heard it picks up years but I thought that doesn't make logical sense.

 

[ChrisGriffen]

No school would ever screen everyone with hair tests, because $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[JHUpartyologist]

So when I got hired at a pediatrics clinic I had to get drug tested. It was a urine test and I had smoked 13 days prior to taking the test. I bought a detox drink and flushed my system with water and I passed. My friend got a job offer at a car dealership. They hair tested him by shaving a patch of his leg hair and putting it in a bag and sending it to a lab. He hadn't smoked for around 3 months prior to this and failed. In my experience a urine test can be beat with about 10 days of sobriety; a hair test obviously takes months.

 

[QualityProcess]

I wish I had thought of those "flushing" drinks. UAs test dilution by measuring levels of creatinine and a few other metabolites. The drinks dilute your urine to the point where THC is below their positive threshold, then overload you with measurables. $40 a pop for some B12 and other cheap crap mixed in tap water.

 

[Apterous]

I have not heard of any schools doing hair tests, but there are a number that do urine drug screens. Usually before you start first year and before you start 3rd year clinical rotations. Certain hospitals require this before you rotate with them so I believe the schools are just trying to secure their investment with you. Im a 4th year at DMU and I have not had to do any drug screening. Hope this helps.