Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Riegel, OH

What it is, How it works

Seen as a potent method, hair testing effectively detects substance and alcohol use. Hair strands maintain a prolonged record of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing fibers. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can offer roughly a 3-month period for spotting both alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, tough to alter, and convenient for shipping.

Collecting a 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG analysis and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential steps in processing a drug test in laboratories are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample first enters the lab's system. This procedure verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Though a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result must undergo confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples that show presumptively positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, the extraction of drugs from hair happens at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug testing as a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of positive screenings is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is regulated by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests achieve a detection period of up to 90 days, compared to the shorter span of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: The complexity of cheating in a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of results.
• Historical data provision: Offers insights into a drug use pattern over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other testing approaches.
• Variation in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in New Riegel, OH
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are ideal for recent use, hair tests provide extended timelines, making them more beneficial for thorough drug use analysis in both employment settings and legal compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in New Riegel, OH
Hair follicle testing unveils a broader picture of an individual's drug use, extending up to 90 days in detection capability. This advantage delivers employers in-depth insights into an applicant's or an employee's long-term substance history, which is essential for making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in New Riegel, OH
Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chance of sample adulteration. As a robust testing solution, it ensures credible, tamper-resistant outcomes, providing dependable results and mitigating the risks associated with sample manipulation inherent to other test types.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in New Riegel, OH
Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with nationwide centers, including in New Riegel, OH. This widespread network allows for seamless, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring quick and easy testing processes wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in New Riegel, OH
Our straightforward, confidential testing process ensures privacy and ease from order to result. Utilizing sophisticated protocols, users can rest assured that their information is handled discreetly, reinforcing trust and comfort for all parties involved throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in New Riegel, OH
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times ensure excellent value. Organizations of all sizes benefit from our efficient and cost-effective testing solutions, gaining vital peace of mind with the assurance of high-quality, timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in New Riegel, OH
Hair follicle drug tests deliver unmatched precision, ensuring quick and accurate detection of substance use. The methodology is designed to uncover traces of drug metabolites over an extended period with superior accuracy compared to traditional methods, providing timely and reliable results that companies trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in New Riegel, OH
Hair follicle testing empowers employers to maintain compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies. It supports legal safety, reduces risks, and contributes to a safer working environment by providing a reliable assessment of employees' and applicants' drug use history.

Drug Testing Near New Riegel, OH

Bloomdale, OH

Lake Seneca, OH

Bettsville, OH

Kansas, OH

Melmore, OH

Amsden, OH

Arcadia, OH

Sycamore, OH

Vanlue, OH

Fostoria, OH

Tiffin, OH

Fort Seneca, OH

Carey, OH

Bascom, OH

McCutchenville, 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