Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fultonham, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug consumption by securing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate three-month detection span for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) positioned closest to the scalp will yield approximately 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For tests beyond 10 panels, EtG, or additional assessments, a specimen quantity of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. In regard to head hair, only scalp hair is considered. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as axillary, facial, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result is comprised of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is first integrated into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry not covered by a digital chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary fast evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective strategy to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that show presumptive positive results in the Screening phase require further confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positivity during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations than in others like urine or oral fluid, making hair testing the most intricate method to conduct.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed for the Confirmation of any positive screening results. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before Confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter timeframe.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to falsify, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Documents historical usage: Enables illustration of drug consumption patterns over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fultonham, OH

With hair testing's extensive detection range, employers find it superior in unveiling a longer history of substance use compared to urine tests. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests offer more robust evidence due to their stability and difficulty in manipulation. This reliability gives organizations confidence in maintaining workplace standards.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fultonham, OH

Hair follicle testing offers the advantage of a lengthy detection period in Fultonham, OH, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This expansive window allows a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, giving employers critical information to make informed decisions about potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fultonham, OH

In the context of sample integrity, hair follicle tests in Fultonham, OH, offer a robust solution against sample tampering. Their inherent resistance to adulteration ensures that the test results are both reliable and unquestionable, reducing the potential for manipulation and providing more authentic representations of an individual's substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fultonham, OH

Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible services with testing centers nationwide, including locations in Fultonham, OH. This convenience ensures that anyone needing a test can quickly and easily find a near location, minimizing the hassle and facilitating prompt service access.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fultonham, OH

The testing process in Fultonham, OH, is designed to be both straightforward and discreet. From ordering a test to receiving results, we prioritize confidentiality and simplicity, addressing any privacy concerns and ensuring the procedure remains user-friendly and efficient for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fultonham, OH

In Fultonham, OH, our pricing structure remains competitive, offering excellent value alongside rapid result processing. This blend of affordability and speed ensures companies of every size can rely on our services, gaining peace of mind through swift and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fultonham, OH

In Fultonham, OH, the precision of hair follicle testing stands out for its ability to quickly and accurately detect drug use. These tests provide reliable outcomes, ensuring employers and individuals access timely and dependable results. Such efficiency makes hair testing an invaluable tool in substance detection practices.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fultonham, OH

Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers in Fultonham, OH, adhere to drug-free workplace policies. These tests mitigate legal risks while strengthening workplace safety by confirming that employees maintain a drug-free environment, thereby ensuring peace of mind for both management and staff.

Drug Testing Near Fultonham, OH

Duncan Falls, OH

New Lexington, OH

Glenford, OH

North Perry, OH

Perry, OH

Brownsville, OH

Zanesville, OH

North Zanesville, OH

Rose Farm, OH

Somerset, OH

South Zanesville, OH

Gratiot, OH

Crooksville, OH

Roseville, OH

East Fultonham, 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