Truck drivers are responsible for carrying large vehicles over long distances, often traveling regional or national routes and staying on roads for days or even weeks. Any impairment due to drugs can increase the accident risks, putting the driver’s and others’ lives in danger.
Despite the high risks, drug drivers may turn to drug on off time or weekends to meet strict deadlines. Drug usage is more common on rest stops and during long weekends. However, under federal law, truck drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. This means even occasional drugs use can have severe consequences.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand how to pass a hair follicle test for truck drivers to maintain your livelihood as a trucker.
What is a Hair Follicle Test for Truck Drivers?
Hair follicle drug tests for truckers are an effort to keep the roads and highways safe for all drivers. This is because carrying large and heavy vehicle over long distances is extremely dangerous, particularly when they are in the wrong hands. That’s why carrier companies have made passing hair drug tests essential to ensure they hire drug-free drivers.
This test can detect drug consumption for up to 90 days or three months. It analyzes a small sample of hair to identify traces of drug. A hair follicle test is preferred over a urine test for drivers because the former can detect regular and long-term drug use, while the latter can only identify recent drug use.
Truck drivers are commonly detected for the following drugs with a hair follicle test:
- Cocaine
- Marijuana (THC)
- Amphetamines
- Alcohol
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Benzodiazepines
- Opiates (heroin, codeine, morphine)
The testing process starts with collecting hair samples from the head. If head hair is not available, the sample can be collected from any part of the body. It’s then sent to the laboratory, where specific drugs are identified after rigorous testing.
Importance of Hair Follicle Tests for Truck Drivers
The weight of large trucks and heavy loads calls for strict safety and preventive practices. But when these responsibilities are topped with drug abuse, the consequences can be deadly. If it’s not the truck driver himself, life-threatening injuries occur to the people in the other vehicle during truck accidents.
That said, testing drivers for drugs is essential as these substances impair judgment and affect cognitive function. With hair follicle tests having a detection window of up to 90 days, companies can get a comprehensive view of a driver substance use history.
In many cases, hair follicle tests outperform urinalysis. Even a study by UCA concluded that testing hair resulted in 825% more frequent identification of drugs than with the urine test.
Dietary Adjustments for Truck Drivers
Unfortunately, no magic diet guarantees to pass a hair drug screening. Since hair follicle drugs detect past drug use, it’s not possible to remove toxins from the body merely with dietary adjustment.
However, a healthy diet significantly helps in detoxification by flushing out toxins from the body. Consider opting for the following diet practices:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Consume antioxidant-rich foods, like leafy green and citrus fruits.
- Avoid processed food as it hinders detoxification.
- Have regular meals with a balance of all nutrients.
- Include healthy fats in your diet (nuts, seeds, avocadoes).
How to Clear a Hair Drug Test
There’s no doubt that passing a hair drug test is super daunting for drivers. For instance, hair drug test shampoo easily removes drug metabolites from the hair shaft. Similarly, altering the hair chemically using bleach or hair dye can reduce the concentration of drug metabolite.
While bleaching can severely damage your hair, using detox shampoo for drug tests is a good method. The section below covers the details of how you can use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hair is needed for a hair follicle test?
A hair drug test with initial screens requires 90 to 120 strands of hair that makes approximately 100 milligrams.
How long can a hair follicle test detect drugs?
The detection time is the longest in hair. Drugs remain detectable in hair for approximately 90 days.
How long does it take to find out the results of a hair follicle drug test?
The negative test results are usually available within 2-3 days, while positive drug tests can take more than a week to confirm.
