Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Macksburg, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a powerful method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by entrapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to adulterate, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is preferred. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair implies all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes validating that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation to be acceptable in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening do require secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation against ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a shorter detection span.
• Hard to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical data: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides several advantages over traditional urine tests in Macksburg, OH.

• Superior detection accuracy captures a wider window of drug use.
• Hair tests offer more reliable and consistent results.
• The method reduces the chances of test tampering, often an issue with urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Macksburg, OH, hair follicle testing offers a long-lasting detection period for substance use.

• The window extends up to 90 days, much longer than other tests.
• Employers gain a comprehensive outlook on an individual's substance history.
• This extended window aids in assessing long-term patterns, not just recent use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests boast a tamper-resistant nature, making them highly reliable in Macksburg, OH.

• Reduced risk of altering samples ensures authenticity.
• The method provides trustworthy and undisputed results.
• Confidence in results helps maintain integrity in testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing in Macksburg, OH is made simple with convenient locations nationwide.

• Our testing centers are quickly accessible, ensuring minimal disruption.
• Local facilities provide ease in coordinating necessary tests.
• Nationwide presence guarantees consistent service wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ensuring a straightforward and private testing process is vital in Macksburg, OH.

• The process is user-friendly from order to result delivery.
• Privacy concerns are addressed, ensuring confidentiality at all stages.
• Efficient procedures ensure clarity and ease for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Macksburg, OH, offer competitive pricing with a focus on value.

• Affordable rates broadly accessible to businesses of all sizes.
• Quick turnaround times ensure prompt results, boosting satisfaction.
• Cost-effective options are designed to provide peace of mind without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and velocity of hair follicle drug tests in Macksburg, OH, are truly impressive. Accuracy is key, with these tests effectively detecting substance use.

• Fast processing times ensure results are available quickly.
• The high accuracy leaves no room for doubt, enhancing trust in the results.
• Swift results aid in timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Macksburg, OH, find compliance easier with hair follicle testing.

• Using such methods ensures alignment with drug-free policies.
• It mitigates legal risks associated with workplace policy breaches.
• Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their safety standards are upheld.

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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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