As more and more states legalize the recreational use of marijuana, drug tests have become very common in the workplace. In some companies, it is an important part of their recruitment process which means potential employees also have something to worry about. These tests are usually random because announcing them beforehand gives employees time to cleanse their bodies of any unwanted toxins.
Although some employees claim that marijuana makes them more productive, most employers seem not to think so. As a result, like we mentioned above, even companies in states where the use of weed is legalized organize drug tests for their employees. Click here to know more about the legality of marijuana use in each state.
The result of drug examinations can determine if an employee gets to keep their job or if a potential employee gets the job for which they are applying. For most people that have nothing to do with marijuana or any other drug, there is hardly anything to worry about. However, for regular users, the results will most probably come out positive if nothing is done to rid the body of those unwanted toxins.
Hair Follicle Drug Tests
Hair follicle drug testing is just as effective as urine analysis in detecting usage from a while back. However, this technique takes that to a whole new level as it can pick up on drug metabolites that were introduced into the body up to 120 days ago. Although this is impressive, it can be a big problem for light users who only consume drugs like marijuana occasionally.
This is a problem because, although it can detect usage from far back, it does not exactly say when the drug was used. This means that results from subjects who may have abstained for a few months may still come back positive.
Hair follicle analysis is effective in detecting PCP, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamines. As you may have already guessed, the test samples are hair retrieved from the body of the subject. That said, hair samples are primarily taken from the crown of your head and only from other parts of your body when there is not adequate hair on the head.
Results from this test are heavily contested by employees because even after months of abstinence, they come back positive. We should also mention that compared to other techniques; hair follicle test results typically take longer to come out. As a result, many employers now favor urine and blood analysis.
Do Detox Shampoos Work?
There are several methods people employ to increase their chances of passing a hair follicle drug test. That said, of all the remedies circulating online, detox shampoos appear to be the most effective. Others sound legit but a little probe into what their success rate looks like will reveal that they are not worth anyone’s time.
For instance, some sites say subjects should go bald before the examination. However, if you go bald several days before you are tested, you’re simply letting your employer know that the results are very likely to come out positive. In truth, if you cannot provide some other legitimate reason for shaving all your hair off, you will probably get fired.
If we analyze this remedy even further, we will find that it is not at all viable. As mentioned earlier, samples can as well be collected from other parts of the body which can put subjects in an uncomfortable position. That said, except you are willing to shave every strand of hair from the body, this remedy should be kicked out the window.
Another common ineffective method is abstinence. Well, it is not entirely ineffective as any traces of drug could be eradicated from the body if one abstains long enough. But since these tests are mostly random, employees cannot be sure just when and how long they are to abstain.
Detox shampoos are the most unfailing remedy for this type of examination. The shampoos are manufactured with powerful ingredients that can get rid of unwanted toxins in hair follicles and the scalps. The success rate with detox shampoos is high and there are many reviews online about different brands that make these products. You can check out the Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo review to learn more.
Other Types of Drug Tests
There are four main types of drug tests that employees may be subjected to. We have looked at the hair follicle drug test and the others include:
- Urine Analysis: This is the most widely used technique and it involves testing of fresh urine samples. In a urine analysis, several indicators such as color, pH, temperature, and creatinine are examined. Urine analysis is effective in detecting substances like opioids, marijuana, methamphetamines, and alcohol, and can detect usage from as far back as 30 days.
- Blood Drug Test: This technique is considered the most invasive as it usually involves poking the arm with a needle to retrieve blood samples. That said, it produces the most accurate results and is also capable of precisely revealing the levels of intoxication. Because of the invasive nature of this technique, many labs now make use of the volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS®) technology. This technique is a lot less invasive as it involves the use of a device called the Mitra device. Rather than poking the arm with a needle, with this device, the fingertip is pricked to collect a few drops of blood. Visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096637419300589 to learn more about the (VAMS®) technology.
- Saliva: Saliva drug tests are mostly used to detect recent drug use. For substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and opiates, it can detect usages from a few days ago. For weed, however, only use within the last 4 to 10 hours can be detected.
Final Thoughts
For heavy users who want to try this remedy, it is recommended that they wash their hair 2-3 times per day. For light users, just one thorough wash could get the job done. We should mention that following the instructions for use is also very important if the desired results are to be achieved. Finally, choose quality over cost when shopping for detox shampoos as the costlier ones are usually the most effective.
