Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brandon, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows, hair provides a long-term record of substance exposure. Hair sourced near the scalp allows for approximately a three-month detection span for both alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended for precise specimen measurement. If scalp hair can’t be obtained, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. Note that "head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where the sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizes any additional data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug abuse indicators. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in the majority of instances, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal purposes. Any samples showing a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate additional verification.

In the event of a presumptive positive result during Screening, further hair is collected from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other testing methods such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation, if needed. The whole laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insights: Reveals a pattern of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair testing is often costlier compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Differences in hair color and personal growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the focus is on analyzing strands of hair, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brandon, OH, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing through superior accuracy and reliability. While traditional urine tests provide shorter detection windows, hair testing identifies substance use from up to 90 days prior. This enhanced detection timeline, coupled with high reliability, makes it the preferred choice for thorough substance abuse evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Brandon, OH extends the window of detection far beyond conventional methods. While traditional urine tests capture recent drug use, hair analyses track substance ingestion up to 90 days prior. This expansive timeframe offers employers a deep insight into an individual's long-term substance behavior, fostering more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Brandon, OH relies on the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests for unquestionable results. Unlike other tests, hair analyses significantly reduce the possibility of sample adulteration. This method ensures that samples remain intact from collection to analysis, providing clear and reliable insights into an individual’s drug history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Brandon, OH, drug testing services can be accessed effortlessly. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that companies and individuals receive seamless testing experiences through our widespread, accessible centers. Fast and simple, our testing locations cater to diverse geographical needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Brandon, OH, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and private. From test ordering to result delivery, every step is handled with the utmost discretion. Our streamlined system ensures privacy protection, allowing individuals to navigate the testing process with ease and confidence, receiving results efficiently and confidentially.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Brandon, OH offers cost-effective pricing and quick turnaround times. This affordability does not sacrifice quality, as we deliver competitively priced packages with fast, accurate results. Our services provide exceptional value for businesses of any size, maximizing both financial savings and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Brandon, OH offers unmatched accuracy and speed. The precise nature of this analysis allows for rapid and reliable identification of substance use. Compared to more conventional methods, hair testing delivers conclusive results with minimal delay, ensuring that employers and individuals can make informed decisions based on trustworthy data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Brandon, OH, hair follicle testing endorses compliance with strict drug-free policies. By utilizing this method, businesses reduce legal liabilities and bolster workplace safety. The thoroughness and accuracy of hair testing instill confidence, ensuring adherence to employment standards and safeguarding employee welfare.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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