Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northridge, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drugs by securing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When clipped near the scalp, hair offers roughly a three-month detection horizon for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily shippable.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as the perfect sample for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advisable. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory processing of a drug test includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a laboratory's framework. This step verifies the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation to be valid for legal purposes. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening indeed necessitate additional confirmation.

In cases where Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further Extraction. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at concentrations lower than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Positive Screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny based on both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: It provides a usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug screening options.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Northridge, OH, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests by providing more reliable and accurate results. The accuracy and detection window give employers a higher degree of confidence in the validity of the test outcomes.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing's extensive detection range ensures that cases of past drug use are identified promptly and reliably, safeguarding workplace standards.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Northridge, OH, find immense value in hair follicle testing because of its extended detection capabilities, tracking substance use up to 90 days. This long assessment period provides a clearer picture of an individual’s drug history.

With such advanced detection, employers can make informed hiring and retention decisions, fostering a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Northridge, OH, offers a robust solution against sample tampering. Unlike urine, the reliability of hair samples ensures consistent and trustworthy results.

By minimizing risks of adulteration, hair testing provides credible results that employers can confidently depend upon for enforcing their drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers conveniently located nationwide and locally in Northridge, OH, access to hair follicle screening is seamless. This widespread availability ensures clients can undergo testing promptly and without hassle.

Our network of centers allows for effortless scheduling and test execution, supporting efficient and stress-free processes for individuals and organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Northridge, OH, our hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and private. The steps for ordering, conducting, and retrieving test results are streamlined for user convenience.

Ensuring confidentiality at every stage, we address the need for privacy and simplicity, making the experience smooth for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Northridge, OH, coupled with rapid turnaround times, makes hair follicle testing not only affordable but also efficient. Companies of all sizes benefit from these value-driven services.

This approach to pricing and service delivery ensures you derive maximum value without compromising on the quality or speed of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug testing lies in its ability to deliver quick and precise results in Northridge, OH. The procedure's accuracy in pinpointing substance use is a key reason for its preference over other testing methods.

Employers and professionals benefit from the speed and reliability of hair testing. This testing method ensures a swift turnaround, supporting fast decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Northridge, OH, hair follicle testing enhances compliance with drug-free workplace mandates, offering employers peace of mind. This method significantly reduces legal exposures related to employee substance abuse.

Employers can rest assured knowing their workspace is upheld to high safety standards, thanks to reliable hair testing protocols.

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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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