Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bremen, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures extended-term evidence of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can detect drugs and alcohol for up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to alter, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10-panel tests, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair comprises all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information entry not handled through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective means of eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that show presumptively positive results in Screening require a secondary validation.

If a sample displays presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than found in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most intricate methodology.

Any positive screening result is verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to fake: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Supplies historical insights: It provides insights into drug consumption patterns over time, beyond merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Beats Urine Testing in Bremen, OH is clear when assessing detection accuracy. Hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests, offering a much longer detection period.

The superior reliability and accuracy of hair testing in Bremen, OH make it the preferred choice for thorough drug screening, standing out against conventional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, presenting a wide timeframe for monitoring substance use in Bremen, OH.

Employers gain comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history with hair testing in Bremen, OH, thanks to its prolonged detection capabilities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests minimizes sample alteration risks in Bremen, OH, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the results.

With secure testing methods, hair follicle testing in Bremen, OH dramatically decreases chances of cheating or sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of widespread testing locations is a significant benefit for residents of Bremen, OH, supporting seamless access to hair drug testing services nationwide.

With our local and nationwide centers, Bremen, OH clients experience fast, uncomplicated access to essential testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

A simple, confidential process is guaranteed for ordering, taking, and receiving hair test results in Bremen, OH, addressing privacy and ease of use efficiently.

In Bremen, OH, the hair testing method is streamlined and private, reassuring clients of an uncomplicated and discreet testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick result turnaround, hair follicle testing in Bremen, OH stands as an excellent value proposition for businesses of every size.

The affordability and speed of hair testing in Bremen, OH ensure companies receive high-quality, economical solutions promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Results from hair follicle tests ensure dependable outcomes in Bremen, OH. With their ability to accurately identify drug use, these tests are favored for their speed and reliability.

Hair tests provide accurate detection of substances, delivering timely results thanks to innovative testing procedures in Bremen, OH. Their rapid turnaround offers assurance in substance identification.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Bremen, OH employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind, upholding workplace safety and reducing liability through consistent drug-free policies.

Employers in Bremen, OH can rest easy knowing hair tests ensure adherence to regulations and foster a safe working environment.

Drug Testing Near Bremen, OH

Anna, OH

Botkins, OH

Yorkshire, OH

Montezuma, OH

Osgood, OH

St. Marys, OH

Kettlersville, OH

Fort Loramie, OH

Chickasaw, OH

Saint Johns, OH

Saint Marys, OH

New Knoxville, OH

Minster, OH

New Paris, OH

New Bremen, OH

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews