Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Deersville, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. By capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption. When hair is taken close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory drug test result process consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any supplementary data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening refers to a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs subsequent confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require follow-up confirmation.

In cases of presumptively positive results in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging approach to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques confirm every positive screening result. Prior to confirmation, all samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Cheating resistance: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, leading to more accurate results.
• Historical data supply: It offers a record of drug use patterns over a period, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Concentration of drug metabolites in the hair can be influenced by hair color and individual hair growth variations.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", it is crucial to note that the test evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Excels in Deersville, OH

• Longer detection periods of up to 90 days surpass urine tests.
• Observed collections make the process more difficult to cheat.
• High reliability offers better insight than traditional urine testing.

The Leading Choice
Opting for hair follicle testing over urine enhances detection accuracy and extends detection windows, aligning with many employers' drug-free policies for a safer workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
The ability of hair follicle tests to reveal drug use history up to 90 days offers a detailed record for employers. This comprehensive view aids in more informed hiring and employment decisions.

Detailed Substance History

• Provides a thorough overview of drug use over months.
• Essential for understanding long-term patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Assurance
Hair follicle testing significantly mitigates the risk of sample tampering. Due to its non-intrusive nature and direct sample collection, this method ensures honest and reliable screening outcomes.

Reliable Testing

• Provides unquestionable results.
• Determent against sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing in Deersville, OH
Our nationwide network of testing centers simplifies access to hair follicle testing. Whether local or across the country, testing services are readily available for swift and stress-free experiences.

Effortless Access

• Nearby centers ensure easy accessibility.
• Streamlined testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplified Process in Deersville, OH
Ordering and completing a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and private. Our service ensures ease of use with confidentiality guaranteed from start to result.

Confidential Testing

• Privacy is maintained at every step.
• Results are secure and undisclosed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing in Deersville, OH
Our competitive pricing models for hair follicle testing deliver great value. Fast turnaround times complement the cost-effectiveness, providing peace of mind without stretching budgets.

Excellent Value

• Quick result delivery at a fair price.
• Ensures testing is accessible for all business sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Testing in Deersville, OH
Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise results. This method is known for its ability to detect substances with high accuracy. Laboratories process the samples quickly, making it an ideal choice for those needing reliable results without delay.

Unmatched Reliability
Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests offer consistent and dependable results. The precision of this approach in identifying drug use ensures confidence for both testers and the tested.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Compliance in Deersville, OH
Hair follicle tests help businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies. By ensuring consistent screening practices, they minimize legal risks and elevate safety standards.

Ensuring Safety

• Cuts down on potential workplace incidents.
• Reduces liability issues with reliable testing.

Drug Testing Near Deersville, OH

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Uhrichsville, OH

Leesville, OH

Dennison, OH

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Scio, OH

Bowerston, OH

Freeport, OH

Tippecanoe, 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.

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