Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lewis Center, OH

What it is, How it works

The analysis of hair has emerged as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. This method captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can afford a detection span of up to around 3 months for substances. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section encompassing approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equating to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both testing and verification. For EtG assessment, supplementary testing, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures involved in processing a drug test result encompass four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory system. This process includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a swift preliminary assessment for substance misuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive test requires confirmation to be allowable in legal proceedings. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening a complex methodology.

Confirmation for any positive screen is executed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug testing can reveal substance use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine testing which offers a shorter detection window.
• Resistant to manipulation: Manipulating hair drug tests is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks historical use: It can outline a pattern of substance use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other drug testing solutions.
• Inconsistent results: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

There's a growing preference for hair follicle testing over urine tests in Lewis Center, OH, due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer a broader detection window and higher reliability, identifying drug use more effectively. As more industries adopt zero-tolerance policies, the shift towards hair testing emphasizes the importance of valid, reliable results, minimizing the chances of evasion through specimen substitution.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most significant benefits of hair follicle testing in Lewis Center, OH is the extended detection window it offers. With the capability to trace substance use over the past 90 days, this testing method gives employers a thorough view of an individual's substance history. Unlike other methods, hair tests enable comprehensive monitoring, ensuring a complete analysis of an employee's or applicant’s past drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method that greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration in Lewis Center, OH. The collection process is directly observed, reducing the possibility of cheating, unlike urine testing techniques. This reliability ensures that the test results are unquestionably accurate, providing crucial evidence for employers dedicated to maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing makes it easy to access testing services with convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Lewis Center, OH. The testing network ensures swift and effortless access to drug testing, whether locally or wherever life might take you. This wide availability reinforces the commitment to providing easy and hassle-free services regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Lewis Center, OH is uncomplicated and confidential. Starting from ordering to receiving results, every step is designed for ease and privacy. Our process addresses privacy concerns and ensures simplicity, making it straightforward for individuals and companies alike to utilize these services confidently and discreetly without any undue hassle.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing structures alongside swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing delivers excellent value for companies of all sizes in Lewis Center, OH. Our affordable services ensure that businesses receive top-tier testing without breaking the bank, providing peace of mind and economically sensible solutions that support maintaining a drug-free workplace efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Lewis Center, OH stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. The technology employed allows for precise detection, quickly identifying substance use with a high degree of accuracy. Hair tests provide a clear indication of drug consumption, making it easier for employers and officials to get dependable results, ensuring informed decisions confidently backed by science.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lewis Center, OH can rely on hair follicle tests for compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests reassure businesses about adhering to legal standards, minimizing potential risks. Maintaining a safe and compliant environment is paramount, and using hair testing adds a layer of security and peace of mind, promoting safety and legal conformity in the workplace.

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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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