Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Somerset, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective tool for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a lengthy history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol usage for up to about three months. The collection process is straightforward, altering the sample is relatively challenging, and it is convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) gathered closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Pros of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug intake for a duration of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a shorter detection window.
• Challenge to modify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a trajectory of drug usage over time, not merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Somerset, OH, offers advantages over urine tests in several ways. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This enables a thorough assessment of a person's substance use history.
Additionally, hair testing is less prone to tampering, providing more trustworthy results compared to urine tests, which can often be cheated.

The accuracy of hair testing results surpasses traditional urine tests. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair tests assess sustained usage patterns. This comprehensive analysis empowers employers to make informed hiring or retention decisions. As demand for rigorous drug-testing methods grows, hair testing leads the way. Hair tests are especially beneficial in regulated industries where safety and adherence to policies are crucial.

Extended Detection Window

In Somerset, OH, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage for employers. Unlike other methods, hair testing can reveal drug usage up to 90 days prior, making it difficult for short-term behavioral changes to go unnoticed. This extensive detection window allows employers to understand an individual's substance use patterns and make more comprehensive assessments of potential hires or current employees.
This capability is crucial for industries where safety and reliability are prioritized.

Hair follicle testing acts as a robust tool for policy enforcement. The long detection period means employees cannot easily circumvent drug policies by abstaining for a brief period before a test. This ensures an honest overview of one's drug use history.
The method's extended window also aids in monitoring employees with previous drug offenses, supporting a drug-free workplace continually.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Somerset, OH, minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. The nature of the test makes it virtually impossible to alter the sample without detection, contrasting traditional tests that can be more easily manipulated.
This ensures that every test administered provides true and accurate insight into potential substance use. Employers experience increased confidence in the test's integrity due to its resistance to tampering.

Our testing centers employ strict protocols in the collection and analysis of hair samples. Each step is handled with meticulous care, preventing any tampering attempts. This reliable process guarantees that results are genuine, bolstering the trust between employer and employee.
In security-sensitive workplaces, knowing that results aren't compromised by tampering is invaluable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers conveniently located nationwide, including Somerset, OH, accessing drug testing services has never been simpler. Our expansive network ensures seamless access, minimizing travel and wait times. This allows busy professionals and employers to fit testing easily into their schedules.
Whether in a major city or a small town, our comprehensive network ensures reliable service coverage.

We understand the need for prompt, accessible testing services. That's why our local locations in Somerset provide rapid testing with no long queues or delays. Our centers are equipped to handle a high volume of tests efficiently, reducing hassles common in other facilities.
Streamlined processes make the experience smooth and straightforward for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our drug testing process in Somerset, OH, is simple and confidential. Easily order, take, and receive results without any unnecessary steps. The streamlined process respects privacy, ensuring confidentiality at every stage.
Our secure systems maintain the integrity of client information, bolstering confidence in our services among all clients.

We prioritize simplicity and transparency, making the hair testing process user-friendly. From initial contact to receiving results, clients enjoy a clear, hassle-free experience. Our processes guarantee that each test is conducted with the utmost professionalism, maintaining client trust and satisfaction.
Concerns over privacy are addressed by rigorous data protection measures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Somerset, OH, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring it is accessible to organizations of all sizes. Our pricing models provide excellent value, allowing companies to maintain comprehensive drug testing programs affordably.
Clients benefit from a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality, enhancing operational budgeting.

Fast turnaround times are a hallmark of our service. By combining affordability with quick results delivery, we offer unmatched value. This dynamic approach supports businesses in making timely decisions based on current data.
Our commitment to value ensures companies do not sacrifice quality in exchange for cost when opting for optimal drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests in Somerset, OH, stand out for their quick, accurate, and dependable results. These tests efficiently detect substance use, delivering high precision. With our innovative techniques, individuals and organizations can trust the reliability of the results, reinforcing faith in the testing process.
The precision of hair tests ensures that individuals testing positive genuinely have consumed the tested substance, avoiding false positives.

Our drug testing centers in Somerset utilize state-of-the-art equipment. This ensures rapid processing times without compromising accuracy, offering both employers and clients peace of mind. Once collected, hair samples undergo meticulous analysis, confirming the presence or absence of illicit substances confidently.
Employers can rely on prompt and reliable reporting, useful for time-sensitive decisions in the workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Somerset, OH, achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing. These tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks. By adopting this testing method, companies cultivate safer and more productive work environments.
Hair testing aligns employers with regulations and standards, demonstrating a commitment to high professional ethics.

The straightforward process for hair testing translates to minimal disruptions while ensuring policy adherence. Companies can trust that employees are sober and performing at their best, reducing turnover rates and fostering a positive work culture.
The deterrent effect of hair testing discourages employees from illicit drug use, consistently promoting workplace safety and welfare.

Drug Testing Near Somerset, OH

East Fultonham, OH

Thornport, OH

Fultonham, OH

Thornville, OH

West Rushville, OH

New Lexington, OH

Rushville, OH

North Perry, OH

Perry, OH

Glenford, 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