Hair Test Soon-Advice Please

[justtorelax]

Looking for some conversation since I haven't really found any posts from anyone in a similar situation. What is the same as so many on this forum is that I have a great job opportunity that all depends on the results of a hair test within the next week or so. Here's my story:

I've been pretty much a daily smoker for the last 30 years, pretty average stuff, nothing exotic. Mostly a bowl from a small pipe with my wife after work to wind down, maybe two on my days off. My last smoke was May 29th before I flew out of town for the interview for this great job (that's when I was told of the HT), and I've been smoke free since (about 60 days now). After doing all the research I could online, I decided to pursue the Growman version of the Macujo method to prepare for the inevitable test. I considered the Jerry G method but given that I'm in my mid 40's with quite a bit of gray in my light blonde hair, I was told being able to get my hair back to any resemblance of it's natural color without looking very suspicious was pretty much impossible. Here's what I've done almost every day since June 15th:

1. Soak with apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes (I read that white vinegar was OK but ACV was easier on the scalp).
2. Soak with Clean & Clear Pink for 30 minutes.
3. Wash with Tide liquid detergent and scrub for 10 minutes.
4. Wash with Neutrogena T-Sal shampoo and scrub for 10 minutes.
5. Baking soda paste and scrub for 10 minutes.
6. Wash with Toxin Wash and scrub for 10 minutes (added this step around July 15th).
7. Wash with Paul Mitchell 3 and scrub for 10 minutes.

And yes, I did say I have done this almost every day for the last 45 days, sometimes twice a day. I did a home urine test on June 10th and was negative. I did a Hair Confirm home test on June 25th and was negative, but I have read in several forums and in many reviews that Hair Confirm results are questionable so I did not feel comfortable relying too heavily on that negative. I sent a home sample to Psychemedics using the PDT 90on July 19th as I knew I was getting close to an offer and I wanted some assurance that what I'm doing was going to pay off. Unfortunately as of July 27th, their lab has said they have not received my sample, hope that does not mean they are re-testing for confirmation of a positive result.

Yesterday I got a call from my "new job" with a verbal offer so I know the real test is only days away, and now I'm really beginning to panic. Unlike so many of my brothers and sisters out there, I had more than a few days or weeks to prepare and I want to believe that subjecting my head to the Macujo's for a month and a half have produced the results I'm looking for. I also wear my hair at only 3/4"-1" except on the very front which is close to 1-1/2" so I'm also hoping that natural growth is on my side as well, and I have had two haircuts since the process began and will have another trim before the test to stay as close to 3/4" as I can.

Would love to hear any advice, encouragement or feedback anyone has.

[killerweed420]

Hair tests are tough to beat and take a lot of work. Can't help you much there. Keep us informed. I'd like to know if you were able to beat them. You've done pretty much everything you can.

[justtorelax]

Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought. I've read quite a few of your posts and I appreciate the response because you seem like you have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject. I'll keep posting as I have information to pay forward what I learn.

[killerweed420]

Have very little knowledge on hair tests. Have never had to do them and would just refuse them if I was ever asked. I'd rather quit and go find another job than support a company that wants to waste so much money on worthless drug testing.

[justtorelax]

Understood. What makes this so great for me, in part, is I would be working for someone I have worked for in the past and have a tremendous amount of respect for. It's more him than the Company, but he's been with them for several years and loves it. Plus, I've been miserable in my current job for a while and need to get out for my family and my sanity. They don't do random, only pre-employment so I figure for all the upsides, I can work the system for the future financial and quality of life pay-off. Thanks, Killer, I appreciate it!

Anyone else have any thoughts on or experience on the effectiveness of long-term Mac's like I've done vs. the bleach and re-dye? Burnt Toast, any ideas?

[Burnt Toast]

The only thing I have to offer is to check Deige and Jerry G's posts (by clicking on their username and then selecting "Find all posts"). For now, these two individuals are the resident hair testing gurus, unless more comes forward.

Im with KW on this one:
I'd rather quit and go find another job than support a company that wants to waste so much money on worthless drug testing.

I wouldnt work for anyone that utilizes hair testing as part of their drug testing program either.

[justtorelax]

I respect your position and appreciate the candor. Thanks again.

[justtorelax]

Deige:

I've read alot of your posts as well as Jerry G and Fake Boobs Rule, but I haven't seen any info on the repetitive Mac's vs. Jerry's beach and re-dye. If your out there, can you chime in?

[justtorelax]

Got confirmation today that Psychemedics received my sample, but looking at 5 working days for results. I took another test at a private lab which will be sending sample to Quest for testing, also 5-7 days for results. Looking as if I will have to take my real test no later than late next week, so the "prep" tests may not give me much lead time on knowing where I stand.

[killerweed420]

I wish you luck. Let us know how it turns out.
This one of the reasons I've been debt free for most of my life. If an employer is being a dick I just move on. Or occasionally if they're a real dick I hang around for another month or so just to make life miserable for them.lol
I encourage everyone to try and be as debt free as possible. It really takes an enormous weight off your shoulders.

[justtorelax]

I agree! Fortunately, like you I'm pretty much debt free except for my house, but then again using someone else's money at 3.5% just makes good financial sense. My money has gone to my four kids for college, and while not attending Ivy League schools, they are getting great educations and coming out with no student loans. That takes a enormous load off my shoulders as well as theirs.

Today's update: I will receive my testing paperwork either tomorrow or Friday and of course will have only two days from then to take my HT. Unlikely I will get results from either of my own personal tests before then so I'm pretty much walking into this one blind. I'll be doing 2 more Mac's today and 2 each day until I take the test. The day of the test I'll finish with a Mac and a Zydot treatment. I'll keep you posted.

[Michael Oliver]

SHOULD NOT be a "problem" AT this stage, however you may go bald with all that "therapy"!

[justtorelax]

Thought about that but honestly, other than some burning during the treatments and pretty dry hair, I haven't had any adverse effects.

I actually got the results of my PDT 90 today - NEGATIVE !!! - That takes the stress down a notch or two. Haven't gotten the final info on my real test, but still looking at no later than Tuesday next week. May have the results from Quest by then so I could feel pretty good walking into this one now.

Anyone ever seen info on someone passing PDT 90 but fail lab test?

[killerweed420]

My understanding is that the hair test is treated like the urine test. If it passes the PDT90 immunassay test then thats it. If its positive then its sent on to the GC/MS test for confirmation.
So I would say you're golden.

[justtorelax]

Also got back the results from the sample sent to Quest, also a NEGATIVE. I got my packet for the real test and will be taking that on Monday or Tuesday. The lab collection center will be LabCorp and results are provided to National Diagnostics, Inc which appears to be the MRO orgainization. I think LabCorp will also actually do the test. Any information on testing with LabCorp or experience with NDI would be appreciated.

And KW, thanks for checking in and providing your support, I really appreciate it.

[justtorelax]

So I started the "real" test this morning at a LabCorp collection center. Sample will be sent to be tested by either a LabCorp testing facility or National Diagnostics, I'm not sure which. NDI is definitely the MRO.

I did a Zydot treatment before the test. The experience at the collection facility was quick and easy. I had cut my hair back to about 3/4" all over and went hairless from the neck down, but the collector did not make any mention of my hair length at all. We made some small talk while she followed the standard COC procedures, the sample was sealed and I was in and out in 15 minutes. Now the agonizing wait for the results which I should get between 24-72 hours from receipt at the lab. I'll post results as soon as I have them.

[justtorelax]

So here is my update. Still no result from my test. My prospective boss contacted me this morning and said MRO did not show my results as pending by name, and confirmed my SS# so they could check that way (in the HireRight database which I believe they use for applicant tracking). Later in the day, he let me know there was still no update but they checked after 5:00 pm so it looked as if it would be Monday. Of course this leaves me worrying all weekend about the two most likely scenarios I can see: #1 - the reported results are delayed on the administrative side i.e lab getting results to MRO, MRO reviewing and getting results into the HireRight database, and the company having results available to view or #2 - test came back positive and MRO still yet to contact me for interview. In my research it appears that the MRO is required under Federal guidelines to contact me before they release any info on a non-negative result to the company. Can anyone confirm that?

[Burnt Toast]

In my research it appears that the MRO is required under Federal guidelines to contact me before they release any info on a non-negative result to the company. Can anyone confirm that?
Not necessarily so. The party that is paying for the test actually gets first dibs on the test results. When an MRO does notify you of the results, the likelihood of the employer already having the results is very high.

[justtorelax]

Just got the word, I PASSED!!! Got a message from my new boss this afternoon that it was official and my start date is set. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences, I would not have known what to try without this forum. For those of you just starting the process, take the time to research HT's and the successful methods for beating them detailed by gurus like Jerry G and Deige. Beating the test just takes time, hard work and all the information you can get together.

I owe my plan to those who came before me, I'm happy to give back by sharing my story. Good luck all, and don't let the anxiety get the best of you. Remember, knowledge is power.

[Burnt Toast]

Way to go!!!:clap:

Congrads to you on passing that dreaded hair test.

Best of luck with the new job :smokin:

[Deige]

Justtorelax,

Sorry I wasn't any help to you, its been a busy summer and Ive been away from the boards for quite some time. Its sounds like you really worked hard researching and cleaning your hair follicles for 45 days, nice work. Glad to see that you passed and I wish you well with the new job.:thumbsup:

[justtorelax]

Deige - All the information you've shared in this forum over the years was help enough. Thanks for all you do for those of us fighting to keep our jobs and/or employers from sacrificing our personal freedoms. Cheers!