[anthonyvthc]

The hair kind.
I have a friend who took a hair test today. I would hardly describe him as a drug user, but he's smoked pot like 5 times in the past few months. He's worried about passing (it's for a job). Anybody have any clue if this is enough to come up positive? The web isn't really helping us out here (every website talks about like habitual users).

[jersey]

i had always heard, and been told (by friends who were/are habitual users) that it stays in the follicle for a very very very long time. however i thought i had heard that hair tests were illegal for any job other than a govt. position. however i could be wrong.

[clod]

http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabi..._testing.shtml

It says that the detection period is usually around 90 days.

[OH-N'omac]

Pot is not usually the chief concern of people giving drug tests. They will check for THC, but minor amounts of it may not be enough to sway a decision not to hire...especially because second-hand smoke can cause a false-positive for this type of test.

[anthonyvthc]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm still looking for something a little more specific to the detection of pot in a RARE user. For example, is there a certain number of times it could be used before it shows up?

[mikellanes]

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm still looking for something a little more specific to the detection of pot in a RARE user. For example, is there a certain number of times it could be used before it shows up?

It only takes one time, stays for 3 months AT MOST, Would you mind saying what company? We had recurring drug tests at a grocery store and when people failed they had to watch a video about quitting and stuff.

[anthonyvthc]

Originally posted by mikellanes:
It only takes one time, stays for 3 months AT MOST, Would you mind saying what company? We had recurring drug tests at a grocery store and when people failed they had to watch a video about quitting and stuff.

Thanks for the reply. Can't say the company name, but it's a casino.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
The hair kind.
I have a friend who took a hair test today. I would hardly describe him as a drug user, but he's smoked pot like 5 times in the past few months. He's worried about passing (it's for a job). Anybody have any clue if this is enough to come up positive? The web isn't really helping us out here (every website talks about like habitual users).

So what you're saying is:
YOU applied for a job and are worried to get in trouble

-t

[SamuraiDL]

right on, hope your gambling is better than your lying...

[anthonyvthc]

Alright, you guys are more clever than I thought. Just don't want to get that pothead label, as I hardly ever used it in the past and probably won't use it again.
However, if anyone does have any insight for my "friend," let's hear it.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
Alright, you guys are more clever than I thought. Just don't want to get that pothead label, as I hardly ever used it in the past and probably won't use it again.
However, if anyone does have any insight for my "friend," let's hear it.

It really depends on the job and the company.
Where I work, you'd be in trouble because many workers have to use machinery. So they figure, if you're smoking, you might f*** up the job...

I dunno about the job you applied for...

-t

[sideus]

Simple. Don't do drugs. Problem solved.

[anthonyvthc]

Originally posted by sideus:
Simple. Don't do drugs. Problem solved.

Thank you, very helpful.

[sideus]

Happy to be of assistance.

[Malt Magics]

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
The hair kind.
I have a friend who took a hair test today. I would hardly describe him as a drug user, but he's smoked pot like 5 times in the past few months. He's worried about passing (it's for a job). Anybody have any clue if this is enough to come up positive? The web isn't really helping us out here (every website talks about like habitual users).

it all depends on when the most recent time was and how fast his hair was growing.

[OB1]

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
Alright, you guys are more clever than I thought. Just don't want to get that pothead label, as I hardly ever used it in the past and probably won't use it again.
However, if anyone does have any insight for my "friend," let's hear it.

Don't worry about being labeled a pothead, there are loads of potheads here.

My understanding of the hair test is that it isn't like a regular drug test (urine, blood), where if you don't use anything for a month your test will be clean. From a strand of hair they can tell what drug you've done, and when, for an indefinite amount of time . But, Cannabis is a bit of a grey area. Apparently, just being in the same room with pot smoke can give a positive result, so unless you're a REAL pothead (wake+bake) you should be in the clear.

Except now you'll being going to work for some backwards, conservative company and living in fear of the Nazis in charge finding out about that harmless joint you smoked after last Friday night....

What an absurd waste of everyones time and money.

[Peter]

Originally posted by OB1:
Don't worry about being labeled a pothead, there are loads of potheads here.

oh really?

[OB1]

Originally posted by Peter:
oh really?

umm, yeah, really.

[juanvaldes]

Originally posted by Peter:
oh really?

no, they all go into hiding when you come out.

[Randman]

Casinos can be pretty strict on hiring, especially with a positive drug test.

[Eriamjh]

Tell him to get a f*cking hair cut and wax his body!

[DoGoodDrugs]

id just like to say, that your pretty much screwed. THC stays in your hair for a very long time, even if you only encountered a small amount.

first question, where did they take the hair from?

specifically when did you smoke?

and last thing is, you already took the test, theres no point now, if you fail a drug test your not gonna get the job, and your not gonna get a second chance. if you would have asked before the test there are hair cleaners that take the THC out of your hair, but too late now, sorry.

Do the good drugs, you did the wrong one in your case.

[djohnson]

Originally posted by DoGoodDrugs:
Do the good drugs, you did the wrong one in your case.

Good drugs???

[turtle777]

Originally posted by Eriamjh:
Tell him to get a f*cking hair cut and wax his body!

He didn't say it was a gay casino

-t

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by djohnson:
Good drugs???

Good point.

I think he meant "worse, but legal", i.e. alcohol and nicotine.

-s*

[itistoday]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Good point.

I think he meant "worse, but legal", i.e. alcohol and nicotine.

-s*

Uh... nicotine is wayyyy worse than most drugs, legal or not. It is more addictive than crack, cocaine, heroin, etc.

[djohnson]

Originally posted by itistoday:
Uh... nicotine is wayyyy worse than most drugs, legal or not. It is more addictive than crack, cocaine, heroin, etc.

As is caffeine. I was basically passed out for 2 days when I went cold turkey from caffeine. I was drinking 10+ cups of coke a day... Now I only drink iced tea from time to time.

[itistoday]

Originally posted by djohnson:
As is caffeine. I was basically passed out for 2 days when I went cold turkey from caffeine. I was drinking 10+ cups of coke a day... Now I only drink iced tea from time to time.

Caffine, unlike nicotine, isn't associated with tobacco and various other products that have a high risk of leading to cancer, bronchitis, etc. But I didn't know caffeine was that addictive... I certainly haven't found it to be

[turtle777]

Originally posted by itistoday:
But I didn't know caffeine was that addictive... I certainly haven't found it to be

ANYTHING can become an addiction.
Chocolate, ice-cream, Dunkin Donuts, MacNN...

-t

[itistoday]

Originally posted by turtle777:
ANYTHING can become an addiction.
Chocolate, ice-cream, Dunkin Donuts, MacNN...

-t

Anything can become a psychological addiction, however there is a difference between that an a physical addiction, as with nicotine.

djohnson: are you sure caffine is that physically addictive??

[turtle777]

Originally posted by itistoday:
Anything can become a psychological addiction, however there is a difference between that an a physical addiction, as with nicotine.

djohnson: are you sure caffine is that physically addictive??

You are right, there are two sorts of addiction.
But still, they are both addictions and may sooner or later ruin people's lives...

-t

[DoGoodDrugs]

first of all, good drugs are different drugs for different people, my drug of choice is life, of course. marijuana can be one of the worst drugs, especially when trying to pass a drugs test because of how long it stays in your system. ie: if you had done cocaine a couple of times you wouldnt have any problem passing a drug test.

second, marijuana is not physically addicting, no one has ever died from it, and macnn is much more mentally addicting. believe me i can smoke one week, and then not again for a while, but i looked at macnn once and now i cant leave it alone.

i had to pass a DT to get the job im at right now, i didnt have any problem staying away from all drugs, of course i dont do many drugs, ie: i dont eat candy, caffeine, prescription drugs (even when prescribed, all that does is make your immune system weak), and of couse no over the counter drugs which are just as bad if not worse than anything else. once you start taking that advil for your head ache everytime you have one you'll need it, and you'll be feeding into a death trap.

sorry for my rant, deal.
DGD

[waxcrash]

Originally posted by DoGoodDrugs:
specifically when did you smoke?

It's not just when, but what. There's a difference between ditch weed and the good stuff.

[Oisín]

Originally posted by DoGoodDrugs:
i had to pass a DT to get the job im at right now, i didnt have any problem staying away from all drugs, of course i dont do many drugs, ie: i dont eat candy, caffeine, prescription drugs (even when prescribed, all that does is make your immune system weak), and of couse no over the counter drugs which are just as bad if not worse than anything else. once you start taking that advil for your head ache everytime you have one you'll need it, and you'll be feeding into a death trap.

I'm pretty much the same as you, perhaps even more so. Never smoked, drunk alcohol, or taken any kind of drugs (except for anaesthetics for surgery and other prescribed medication in urgent situations - about four times in my life - and very rarely an aspirin), but I still failed a hair test they made me take for my job as McDonald's

The test turned out to be illegal, not only because hair tests are illegal, but also because I was 16, and they didn't make me take the test till after I knew I'd got the job, but still, I failed it. Because I'd gone to a high school and had apparently had too much second-hand pot (or whatever it was they were smoking). So yeah, if your job is depending on passing this test, you're quite probably f*cked.

[voyageur]

Originally posted by djohnson:
As is caffeine. I was basically passed out for 2 days when I went cold turkey from caffeine. I was drinking 10+ cups of coke a day... Now I only drink iced tea from time to time.

Caffeine is considered to be only very mildly addictive by most clinicians.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by voyageur:
Caffeine is considered to be only very mildly addictive by most clinicians.

Does that match up with the reality in many offices though

-t

[OH-N'omac]

Originally posted by DoGoodDrugs:
first of all, good drugs are different drugs for different people, my drug of choice is life, of course.

Asprin is a drug. Life is not a drug.

Drugs are neither good nor bad, they just are. All people "do drugs" in the sense that their mood and state are influenced by the chemicals floating around in their brain. Ever feel good after exercising? Feel good after eating? Feel good at all? That's just chemicals in your brain...mood altering chemicals that you have no choice but to "use".

[djohnson]

Originally posted by itistoday:
djohnson: are you sure caffine is that physically addictive??

Well, seeing as how I dont drink, smoke, or do drugs... yes it is. Ever wonder why people who drinks lots of caffine beverages get headaches if they dont get their daily/hourly dose of caffine?

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by turtle777:
Does that match up with the reality in many offices though

-t

Yeah switch the office coffee with decaffeinated and see what happens.

The claws will come out.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Yeah switch the office coffee with decaffeinated and see what happens.

The claws will come out.

My point exactly
Thx, Zimpi !

-t

[Oisín]

Originally posted by OH-N'omac:
Drugs are neither good nor bad, they just are. All people "do drugs" in the sense that their mood and state are influenced by the chemicals floating around in their brain. Ever feel good after exercising? Feel good after eating? Feel good at all? That's just chemicals in your brain...mood altering chemicals that you have no choice but to "use".

But isn't it true that inducing these chemicals into your body "from outside" (in excess, at least) instead of letting your body produce them by itself can reduce your body's ability to produce the proper chemicals?

[djohnson]

Originally posted by voyageur:
Caffeine is considered to be only very mildly addictive by most clinicians.

These same clinicians probably drink tons of coffee.

[itistoday]

Originally posted by djohnson:
These same clinicians probably drink tons of coffee.

Dude, you're making these claims based on your personal feelings? I thought you were quoting some study or something. You can't say that caffine's addictive just cause you think it is.

[voyageur]

Originally posted by Ois�n:
But isn't it true that inducing these chemicals into your body "from outside" (in excess, at least) instead of letting your body produce them by itself can reduce your body's ability to produce the proper chemicals?

Important point. This is certainly the case with repeated use of opioids and most stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine).

[itistoday]

Originally posted by voyageur:
Important point. This is certainly the case with repeated use of opioids and most stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine).

Thankfully caffine isn't produced by the body

[Oisín]

Originally posted by voyageur:
Important point. This is certainly the case with repeated use of opioids and most stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine).

Since I have an expert here, I was wondering... what is it that gets screwed up; is it the brain/body's ability to produce the needed chemicals, or is it the brain/body's ability to recognise that the chemical is needed in the first place?

[itistoday]

Originally posted by Ois�n:
Since I have an expert here, I was wondering... what is it that gets screwed up; is it the brain/body's ability to produce the needed chemicals, or is it the brain/body's ability to recognise that the chemical is needed in the first place?

Though I'm no expert, I'll try to answer this (might be wrong). When you introduce a chemical (say seratonin) from "outside" in massive quantaties (as say with XTC) then the neurons in your brain get "decensitized" to balance things out, and the neuron receivers for seratonin start closing off to keep you from a perpetual state of happiness. This, i think, is kind of a defensive mechanism that the body uses for everything (say when someone farts, after a while you'll stop smelling it even though it's there).

So after a while your body starts to limit these neuron receivers that take seratonin because it figures there's too much of it, and when the X wears off, you'll be one sad mother****er and will be less prone to accepting seratonin in the future.

[Oisín]

Originally posted by itistoday:
Though I'm no expert, I'll try to answer this (might be wrong). When you introduce a chemical (say seratonin) from "outside" in massive quantaties (as say with XTC) then the neurons in your brain get "decensitized" to balance things out, and the neuron receivers for seratonin start closing off to keep you from a perpetual state of happiness. This, i think, is kind of a defensive mechanism that the body uses for everything (say when someone farts, after a while you'll stop smelling it even though it's there).

So after a while your body starts to limit these neuron receivers that take seratonin because it figures there's too much of it, and when the X wears off, you'll be one sad mother****er and will be less prone to accepting seratonin in the future.

So, it's not like your ability to produce the serotonin, it just sort of stops checking whether any of it is needed, because it assumes it's already there aplenty?

(I'm very much not an expert on this, treat me as a Chemistry/Biology/Thingy for Dummies 3 reader)

[itistoday]

Originally posted by Ois�n:
So, it's not like your ability to produce the serotonin, it just sort of stops checking whether any of it is needed, because it assumes it's already there aplenty?

(I'm very much not an expert on this, treat me as a Chemistry/Biology/Thingy for Dummies 3 reader)

I'm no expert either (this is mostly what I can remember from lectures with my dad who's a biologist/pharmacologist). I think that when you take something like ecstacy, you get sooo decensitized to it that it takes a while for your brain to "make" more of these neuroreceivers (I'm not sure if it can make more, but I don't see why not ). If there are any true experts here on the forums could you clarify this?

Edit: But right, it's not that your body stops making seratonin, it's the ability to receive it.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by voyageur:
Important point. This is certainly the case with repeated use of opioids and most stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine).

I believe after you stop abusing for awhile things go back to normal.