Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chesapeake, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be taken. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair applies to all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for substance misuse. While Screening offers an economical way to discard drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be accepted in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary validation.

If a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Validation of any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Reveals usage patterns: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days before drugs can be detected in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternative methods of drug testing.
• Results fluctuation: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Chesapeake, OH, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. With a detection period that spans up to 90 days, hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview of substance use.

The reliability of hair testing outweighs traditional methods, ensuring consistent and dependable results. It’s difficult to tamper with hair samples, making hair tests more foolproof than urine samples.

For businesses and legal entities, the superior detection capabilities of hair follicle tests mean a higher level of certainty and security in drug screening processes.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing in Chesapeake, OH, stands out due to its extended detection window. With the ability to detect substances used up to 90 days prior, it offers a broader perspective of an individual's drug history.

This long detection span is invaluable for employers seeking a comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s or employee’s drug use patterns. It extends the view into the past, surpassing the capabilities of other tests.

An extensive detection window means that hair testing offers a more detailed analysis of substance use—a crucial factor in hiring decisions and maintaining workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Chesapeake, OH, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing. The method significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration, as it's challenging to manipulate hair samples compared to urine.

Employers benefit from hair tests as they ensure the integrity of results. These tests provide reliable and unquestionable outcomes that withstand scrutiny.

Using hair follicle drug tests, businesses can be confident that results reflect an honest assessment, minimizing the risk of fraudulent testing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to hair follicle testing across Chesapeake, OH, and throughout the nation. With numerous testing locations, accessibility is quick and hassle-free, accommodating anyone seeking testing services.

Having nationwide centers means that testing is available regardless of where you are, providing seamless service tailored to local and broad needs.

The strategic placement of our testing centers ensures speedy and convenient testing services, aligning with varied requirements across different regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Chesapeake, OH, the hair follicle drug testing process is simple and confidential. From scheduling the test to collecting samples, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use.

Individuals can expect a streamlined process, both efficient and confidential, reducing privacy concerns regarding test results and personal data.

The seamless process from order to results response ensures individuals and employers receive necessary data quickly and confidently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Chesapeake, OH, benefits from affordable hair follicle drug testing with fast turnaround times. Competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value without compromising quality.

For businesses, affordable rates mean cost-effective solutions for drug testing, supporting both large and small companies in maintaining drug-free environments.

Quick turnaround times ensure rapid access to results, enhancing business operations and decision-making processes significantly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Chesapeake, OH, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate results. The precision of these tests in detecting substance use is unmatched. Results are typically processed swiftly, allowing employers and individuals to obtain results in a timely manner.

The exceptionally high accuracy in detecting drug use makes hair follicle tests preferred over others. Their ability to identify a wide range of substances ensures comprehensive and dependable results.

Obtaining reliable results is paramount in drug testing, and hair follicle tests deliver just that. Their credibility stems from methods that ensure each test administered produces accurate outcomes every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Chesapeake, OH, hair follicle drug testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method mitigates legal risks, promotes safety, and supports a zero-tolerance drug use environment.

Employers gain peace of mind through the use of hair drugs tests, knowing that they offer comprehensive insights into potential drug use, reducing liability concerns.

By utilizing hair testing, companies can enhance their safety protocols, reinforcing a secure and compliant work environment for all employees.

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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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