Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spring Valley, OH

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing has emerged as an effective instrument in uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within its strands, hair captures a prolonged record of substance intake. A sample taken near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use history for nearly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, with low risk of tampering, and facilitates easy shipping.

A 1.5-inch portion containing roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) yields 100mg, deemed the perfect sample size for initial and confirmatory assessments. For EtG inclusions and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is beneficial. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, only scalp hair is meant, while body hair encompasses all other hair types like facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The lab procedures in drug testing comprise four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary step in integrating a sample into the lab system. It involves checking the specimen for proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any extra data not included by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers an initial, swift examination for common drugs. While cost-effective for most sample evaluations, positive screens must undergo confirmation for legal validity. Samples identified with presumptive positivity in Screenings require secondary verification.

When a sample emerges positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the collected specimen for Extraction. Here, substances are separated from hair at markedly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), marking hair screening as the most intricate method.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are utilized to confirm positive screening results. All samples with preliminary positivity are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited as per ISO / IEC 17025 requirements.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: The challenging nature of cheating hair drug tests enhances the veracity of results.
• Historical tracking: Not limited to recent use, hair tests provide a timeline of drug consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: A period of 5-7 days is necessary before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other drug testing processes.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite levels in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and individual growth differences.

Note: Despite commonly being termed "hair follicle tests", the process involves examining the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Spring Valley, OH

• Hair tests have superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests.
• The reliability of hair testing surpasses that of urine testing.
• This method allows for a broader detection range of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Spring Valley, OH

• Hair follicle testing detects drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days.
• This method gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.
• Provides a detailed insight into long-term drug usage patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Spring Valley, OH

• Hair follicle tests greatly diminish the risk of sample adulteration.
• The process yields reliable and unquestionable results.
• A secure method that employers and legal systems can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Spring Valley, OH

• Our testing centers nationwide offer easy access to services.
• Local centers provide quick and hassle-free testing experiences.
• Ensures testing services are accessible without geographic barriers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Spring Valley, OH

• The process of ordering and taking tests is straightforward and discreet.
• Guarantees client privacy and ease of use at every step.
• Efficient systems in place to receive results confidentially.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Spring Valley, OH

• Competitive pricing structures maximize value for all company sizes.
• Ensures quick processing times and results for our clients.
• Provides peace of mind with cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Spring Valley, OH

• Hair follicle drug tests provide speedy and precise results.
• Known for their high accuracy, they detect substances efficiently.
• The method ensures reliable data about substance use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Spring Valley, OH

• Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies.
• It minimizes legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace.
• Enhances and maintains workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near Spring Valley, OH

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Kettering, OH

Wilberforce, OH

Woodbourne-Hyde Park, OH

Woodbourne, OH

Centerville, OH

Beavercreek, OH

Harveysburg, OH

Wayne, OH

Alpha, OH

Corwin, OH

Waynesville, OH

Xenia, OH

Bellbrook, 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.

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