Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pepper Pike, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as they grow. By collecting hair near the scalp, one can achieve a detection period of up to roughly three months for various substances. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample about 1.5 inches in length, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, results in 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used instead. Specifically, when we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step confirms the sample's seal and correct shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary swift check for substances of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screening must be confirmed to hold credibility in legal contexts. Any samples resulting as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

After a sample shows presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review aligned with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformity to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter time frame.
• Low susceptibility to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test proves extremely arduous, thereby yielding more reliable results.
• Supplies historical insight: It allows for a detailed pattern of drug consumption over time, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection in hair takes roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests are costlier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Despite commonly being called "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pepper Pike, OH
Hair testing provides exceptional advantages over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests have a limited detection window, hair tests canvass a broader range over several weeks. This offers a more encompassing assessment of the individual's history, contributing to better decision-making for employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pepper Pike, OH
Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This prolonged detection capability provides employers with a comprehensive substance use history of applicants or employees, assisting in informed hiring decisions. This wider window makes hair tests an invaluable tool for maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pepper Pike, OH
Hair follicle testing is known for its tamper-resistant nature, significantly minimizing the risk of sample manipulation. This assures employers and legal professionals of the test's reliability and authenticity, reducing the likelihood of deceptive practices and ensuring accuracy in drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pepper Pike, OH
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing sites across the nation, including local options in Pepper Pike. This accessibility guarantees a swift, effortless, and stress-free approach to securing testing services. No matter the location, quick and easy access facilitates effective drug screening.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pepper Pike, OH
From ordering to receiving results, our testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy, ensuring participants are comfortable throughout. Accredited Drug Testing maintains a streamlined procedure that caters to participants' concerns while upholding confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pepper Pike, OH
Accredited Drug Testing combines competitive pricing with fast turnaround times to deliver great value to companies of all sizes. Our efficient processes ensure timely results, granting companies the assurance and peace of mind needed to make informed decisions quickly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pepper Pike, OH
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed in identifying substance use. Accredited Drug Testing ensures high accuracy results, making these tests a trusted choice for discerning drug use. Our state-of-the-art facilities deliver swift and dependable outcomes, providing critical insights when they're needed most.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pepper Pike, OH
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace regulations, mitigating legal risks and fostering a safer working environment. This method of drug screening upholds company policies, delivering peace of mind and promoting a secure, drug-free atmosphere for everyone involved.

Drug Testing Near Pepper Pike, OH

Shaker Heights, OH

Cuyahoga Heights, OH

Highland Hills, OH

Hunting Valley, OH

Lyndhurst, OH

Mayfield Heights, OH

Moreland Hills, OH

Beachwood, OH

Orange, OH

Woodmere, 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