Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashtabula, OH

What it is, How it works

As an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing has gained popularity. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the strands' fibers during hair growth. When the hair is collected close to the scalp, it enables detection of alcohol and drugs for a period extending up to around three months. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly matching the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the perfect specimen for initial testing and validation. For enhanced tests such as EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar volume of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it strictly pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory methodology for processing drug test outcomes consists of four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning represents the primary phase of incorporating a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures that the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes up any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary, rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient measure to dismiss drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for it to stand in legal proceedings. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.

For samples marked as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. In this phase, the concentration of drugs is deduced from hair, a process more sensitive than methodologies that utilize urine or oral fluids, making hair testing exceptionally challenging.

Methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm any positive hits from Screening. Any samples flagged as presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The entire lab process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is thoroughly checked under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection range, hair drug tests can determine drug use up to 90 days.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Tracks usage history: Shows a drug usage pattern over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Variation in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Ashtabula, OH, hair follicle testing outperforms its traditional urine counterpart in many aspects. Accuracy and reliability are top-notch, making this method superior for detecting substance use. While urine tests might miss drug traces after a short period, hair tests provide a broader detection range.

The indisputable evidence hair testing offers is ideal for employers and organizations aiming to maintain drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Ashtabula, OH, is its extended detection window, up to 90 days. This allows an in-depth view of a person's substance use, providing a clearer picture than short-term urine tests.

Such an extensive period is invaluable for employers needing a clear understanding of an individual's substance history, delivering insights beyond current consumption.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ashtabula, OH, hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the risk of tampering, ensuring that obtained results remain trustworthy and unaltered.

Unquestionable reliability is a core feature, turning hair tests into a favored method for secure assessments, offering assurance that few other testing methodologies can match.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Ashtabula, OH, with our widespread testing centers, providing easy access to facilities nationwide. Testing becomes a hassle-free experience with our streamlined locations.

Our local and expansive networks ensure that wherever you are, testing services are near, offering ease of use and quick turnarounds.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ashtabula, OH, our hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy from ordering to receiving results.

The simplicity of our process addresses any potential privacy concerns, making it an appealing choice for those valuing discretion and reliability in testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing in Ashtabula, OH, is competitive, ensuring value for money for businesses of all sizes. With rapid turnaround times, our hair testing offers a balance of affordability and efficiency.

Choosing our services means benefiting from top-tier value without compromising on speed or service quality, ensuring satisfaction for all stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ashtabula, OH, the precision of hair follicle drug testing is unmatched. The method swiftly delivers high accuracy, making it a top choice for detecting substance utilization. Compared to alternative testing methods, hair follicle assessments offer reliable results, ensuring confidence in outcomes.

Employers and individuals benefit from the expeditious nature of hair follicle drug testing, as results are not only accurate but also provided promptly. This efficiency plays a crucial role in decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Ashtabula, OH, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal risks. Enhanced safety and peace of mind result from adopting this stringent testing approach.

The assurance of maintaining a safe and compliant work environment is a priority, making this testing method indispensable.

Drug Testing Near Ashtabula, OH

New Lyme Station, OH

Roaming Shores, OH

Dorset, OH

Rock Creek, OH

Pierpont, OH

Conneaut, OH

Eagleville, OH

Kelloggsville, OH

Geneva, OH

Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH

Austinburg, OH

North Kingsville, OH

Saybrook, OH

Edgewood, OH