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Hair drug testing

Hair drug testing for drugs and substances of abuse

Our hair drug testing service is an effective and reliable type of testing that offers both an overview and monthly segmented analysis.

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Why Lextox?

Legally defensible analysis results and expert reports accepted in every UK family court.
An ISO 17025 UKAS Accredited Testing Laboratory (No. 7516). Please refer to our Service Level Agreement for details of our accreditation 
Analysis in accordance with the Society of Hair Testing’s internationally agreed standards.
Direct contact with our Lextox experts, with over 100 years’ combined experience.
Competitive pricing in accordance with LAA codified rates.
Dedicated client managers who will manage your case from start to finish.

Hair strand drug testing explained

Scalp hair grows at an average rate of one cm per month. This means we can perform a hair strand drug test and analyse it for drug use as far back as the hair strand allows. For example, if a three-month retrospective analysis is required, a three cm section of scalp hair will be used. 

When a drug enters the body, it is transported via the blood stream and incorporated into the hair follicle. As the hair grows, it incorporates trace amounts of drugs into the hair strand and so we analyse the hair strand for these drug traces. 

Month by month or overview analysis

Depending on your needs, our hair strand test analysis can provide a month-by-month analysis or overview analysis. The segmental analysis can determine trends such as an increase or decrease in use or help to highlight low level instances. 

An overview analysis will cover a whole section and identify drug use within that growth period. For example, a three cm section of hair can show usage over a three-month period. 

If using a body hair sample for drug testing, it is unsuitable for sectional month by month analysis. 

Please click on the drop-down below to view the full range of drugs we can test for:

Lextox drug detection list
DrugClassDescription
Antidepressants Used to treat depression and anxiety. A hair drug test for the antidepressants drug group includes fluoxetine (Prozac), trazadone and clozapine.
Anti-Epileptics (incl. Pregablin and Gabapentin) Available in capsule, tablet or liquid form. Both drugs are used to treat seizures and nerve pain. Pregablin can also be used to treat anxiety.
BenzodiazepinesCPrescribed to reduce anxiety, our hair strand test is able to detect desmethyldiazepam, diazepam (Valium), oxazepam, temazepam, nitrazepam and flunitrazepam (Rohypnol).
BuprenorphineBBuprenorphine (Subutex) is used in the treatment of heroin addiction. A synthetic opiate, it is commonly prescribed in a tablet form, however, can be crushed to be injected or inhaled.
CannabisBA naturally occurring drug made from parts of the cannabis plant. The main active compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Our test for cannabis looks for THC as well as two metabolites: 11 Nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-THC and 11-Hydroxy-delta-9-THC.
CathinoneCCathinone (Khat), the active ingredient of the Khat plant, is a stimulant with similar effects to amphetamine. Long term use may cause insomnia, anorexia, anxiety, depression and paranoia.
Cocaine (incl. Crack Cocaine)AObtained from the leaves of the coca plant, cocaine is a stimulant drug of the central nervous system. High doses can cause respiratory or heart failure. Our hair test for cocaine will also look for Benzoylecgonine, AEME and Cocaethylene.
Ecstasy (MDMA)AEcstasy is a white crystalline powder known to chemists as MDMA; most commonly sold in a tablet form. Side effects can include paranoia and psychotic states. Our hair strand test looks for MDMA as well as its metabolite MDA, which is used to show direct usage.
FentanylAFentanyl is a synthetic opioid which mimics the body’s natural painkillers, blocking pain messages to the brain. A psychoactive drug, covered by the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act, means it’s illegal to give away or sell.
KetamineBKetamine is a strong anaesthetic drug used during operations on humans and animals. If high enough doses are taken, the aesthetic properties of Ketamine can come into effect causing unconsciousness or even death.
LSDAA hallucinogenic drug derived from the fungus ergot, LSD is often in a liquid form that is dropped onto paper sheets or sugar cubes. The effects are dose dependent, can last up to 12 hours and the user will not know how strong it is until it is taken.
Mephedrone (M-Cat)BMephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is derived from cathinone (the same chemical found in the plant Khat). It can cause anxiety, paranoia and risk of over stimulating the heart.
MethadoneAA synthetic opiate used medically in the treatment of heroin dependence. Our hair drug test for methadone also includes its metabolite EDDP.
Methamphetamine (incl. Amphetamine)BMethamphetamine (crystal meth) is a stimulant of the central nervous system with a high potential for misuse and dependence. It is a synthetic drug, chemically similar to amphetamine (speed). Amphetamine is a stimulant drug that increases alertness, concentration and the energy of the user.
Opiates (incl. Heroin)AOpiates are a group of drugs that contain constituents derived from the opium poppy plant. A hair test for the opiates drug group will look for 6-MAM (a heroin specific metabolite used to show heroin use), morphine, codeine and dihydrocodeine (found in over the counter pain relief remedies).
PethidineAPethidine is a synthetic substance, which is more sedative, has a more rapid onset and a shorter duration of action than morphine.
Psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’)VariousTaken for their euphoric effects, these drugs are often sold as ‘research chemicals’, ‘bath salts’ or ‘not for human consumption’. Controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act, we can detect 38 different compounds that may be present in Psychoactive Substances.
SteroidsCSteroids are drugs that mimic certain natural hormones in the body that regulate and control how the body works and develops. There are two main groups of natural steroids – anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids are available as tablets or as a liquid for injection.
Spice (synthetic cannabinoids)VariousSpice is a group of synthetic cannabis compounds which mimic the effects of cannabis. These compounds do not produce positive results for drugs and metabolites within the Lextox cannabis drug group. We currently test for nine spice compounds.
TramadolCTramadol is a prescribed synthetic drug that is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain relief.
Zolpidem (hypnotics)CUsed to promote sleep and aid in the treatment of insomnia. The drug group includes zolpidem. They are not a benzodiazepine, however, act on the same areas of the brain.

Click here to download our drug list as a PDF