Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Owensville, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is regarded as an effective technique for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the best sample for examination and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is recommended to weigh the hair on a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be obtained. When talking about head hair, it refers to scalp hair specifically. Body hair indicates all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This step confirms the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of misuse. Though Screening is economical for ruling out drug usage in most specimens, a positive screen requires validation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Specimens showing presumptive positive results in Screening need secondary verification.

If a specimen shows a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower levels than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the toughest methods to execute.

Verification of any positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug examinations can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug usage over the course of time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Can't detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the test pertains to analyzing the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle over urine testing in Owensville, OH provides multiple benefits. Notably, hair tests offer superior accuracy and detect substances over a longer timeframe than traditional urine tests.

Hair tests reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, giving employers a comprehensive picture of substance habits. This contrasts with the brief window of urine tests, offering a more reliable assessment of consistent drug use.

The high detection accuracy of hair tests reduces false negatives, ensuring you're informed of genuine substance use patterns for more robust decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Owensville, OH uncovers drug use over an expanded duration, typically extending up to 90 days. This extensive detection window offers employers a well-rounded view of an individual's substance history.

The 90-day period covered by hair tests surpasses the capabilities of conventional urine tests, providing a broader picture of a person's drug use patterns over time.

Employers benefit from this comprehensive detection range, making informed decisions based on an applicant or employee's substance use background, promoting a safer work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Owensville, OH, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant solution, substantially decreasing the chance of sample adulteration, thus ensuring the integrity of results.

Compared to urine tests, hair samples are nearly impossible to alter, as they cannot be replaced or tampered with once collected. This characteristic provides dependable results.

Hair tests offer concrete evidence of genuine drug use data, establishing trust with employers and individuals who seek accurate insight into substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Experience the ease of nationwide testing centers, including local locations in Owensville, OH. We're committed to providing convenient and swift access to essential testing services.

Owensville residents can count on nearby centers for quick and straightforward testing procedures, eliminating unnecessary travel delays.

Our extensive network allows clients to engage testing services efficiently, adding a layer of convenience to what could otherwise be a daunting experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Owensville, OH is both simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is streamlined to protect clients' privacy.

Our testing procedure eliminates unnecessary complexities, ensuring a straightforward experience for individuals and organizations alike.

Confidentiality is paramount; therefore, our systems guarantee that personal information remains secure and protected throughout the entire process, instilling client confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Providing affordable pricing and fast turnaround, our hair follicle tests in Owensville, OH, offer remarkable value for organizations, irrespective of size.

Cost-effective options ensure that businesses can maintain rigorous testing policies without incurring excessive expenses, bolstering fiscal responsibility.

Our swift turnaround ensures that clients receive timely results, which is vital for making prompt, informed decisions regarding workforce substance policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Owensville, OH promise fast, accurate, and highly reliable outcomes. These tests employ advanced methods to detect substance use with impressive precision, minimizing the possibility of error.

The swiftness of hair tests doesn't compromise accuracy, providing exact results in short order. Clients in Owensville trust hair follicle testing for its unparalleled ability to pinpoint drug use precisely.

In terms of reliability, hair follicle testing stands out, consistently delivering dependable results that ensure both individuals and organizations maintain faith in their test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle tests provide employers in Owensville, OH with peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and fosters a secure working environment.

By choosing hair follicle testing, businesses adhere to standards that uphold workplace safety, ensuring all employees contribute to a safe operational atmosphere.

The reliability of hair tests supports a drug-free policy, enhancing both legal compliance and employee morale, crucial for organizational success.

Drug Testing Near Owensville, OH

Rarden, OH

Sciotodale, OH

Friendship, OH

Portsmouth, OH

Minford, OH

Otway, OH

Clarktown, OH

West Portsmouth, OH

Rosemount, OH

Lucasville, OH

McDermott, 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