Two bundles of hair (usually from the crown of the back of the head) are cut directly above the roots.

It is assumed that the average hair growth is 1 cm per month.

For alcohol, hair that is 3 cm in length can be used to prove alcohol abstinence for three months.

For drugs, hair that is 6 cm in length can be used to prove drug abstinence for six months.

Hair samples longer than this are not allowed to be tested in line with the chemical-toxicological analysis (CTU) criteria.

For a target period of one year, this means:

four hair analyses (each using 3 cm) for alcohol (EtG) or

two hair analyses (each using 6 cm) for drugs.

Dyed hair is generally not suitable. If all your hair is dyed, you can prove your alcohol and/or drug abstinence via an abstinence monitoring program using urine samples. Commercial hair care products (except those containing hemp additives) generally pose no problem.

If it only becomes apparent that you dye your hair once the samples have been sent to the lab, this hair analysis cannot be used to prove your abstinence.

Head hair should be used for testing, but body hair can be used in exceptional cases. Talk to us – we will be happy to give you more information personally.

Both methods are accepted in equal measure for an MPA as long as they are performed in line with CTU specifications.

Of course, we comply with these stringent requirements. However, hair analyses and abstinence monitoring programs differ in terms of your planning needs and the date from which abstinence must be proven.

If you have already been abstaining from drugs and/or alcohol for a longer time, hair analysis allows you to provide evidence over a longer period. In the case of an abstinence monitoring program, you can only prove your drug and/or alcohol abstinence starting from the date that you began the monitoring program.

The advantage of hair analyses is that you can plan the appointment for submitting hair samples yourself. You will not be summoned without warning and on short notice as you would be for urine samples in an abstinence monitoring program. If you do not have any hair available, urine samples are a good alternative.

Abstinence monitoring programs using urine samples can be started shortly after you start to abstain from consuming alcohol or using drugs. For hair analyses, we recommend waiting for a sufficiently long time (safety period) after the last date you consumed a substance. Talk to us – we will be happy to give you more information personally.

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They are comprehensive quality requirements for monitoring programs and hair analyses that must be met in order for documents proving abstinence to be accepted for an MPA. Of course, we at TÜV Hessen fulfill these: You are on the safe side with us!

Talk to us – we will be happy to give you more information personally. Click here for a list of MPA assessment centers.