Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stafford, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an impactful method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of the growing hair strand capture biomarkers, offering a comprehensive timeline of substance usage. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for roughly up to a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for accuracy in weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" strictly denotes scalp hair. "Body hair" covers all other types, like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory assessment of a drug test outcome involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab's system. This phase checks if the sample was correctly sealed and sent, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening carries out an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although cost-saving for discarding drug use in most samples, positive screen results need validation before being court-admissible. Samples showing presumptive positives during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is sourced from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening one of the hardest methodologies to execute.

Validation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, contrasting with urine tests' shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result fidelity.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: Drugs become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result disparities: Variables like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Stafford, OH, hair follicle testing distinguishes itself from traditional urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide a longer window of detection and more reliable results, ensuring that employers can trust the accuracy. The extended detection period and inability to alter results give hair testing an edge in identifying long-term substance use behaviors.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Stafford, OH, benefit from hair follicle testing's 90-day detection window, which provides a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. This extended period allows employers to better assess an applicant or employee's long-term habits, thus facilitating more informed hiring decisions and ongoing workplace evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Stafford, OH, offers a tamper-resistant sample collection process that greatly diminishes the risk of adulteration. This method provides reliable results that uphold data integrity. The inability to shave or wash away traces of drug use ensures that the outcomes are both trustworthy and definitive for evaluating substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents of Stafford, OH, enjoy the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network of nationwide centers. These local facilities ensure that accessing testing services is quick, hassle-free, and easily accessible, providing essential convenience for both companies and individuals seeking reliable testing options.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stafford, OH, hair follicle testing is not only simple but also confidential. Our process for ordering, testing, and obtaining results ensures privacy is maintained at every step. Customers can rely on a streamlined approach that respects their privacy while providing accurate and discreet results, fostering confidence in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Stafford, OH, Accredited Drug Testing boasts affordable pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests, making it a viable choice for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures, coupled with quick results, ensure that clients receive excellent value without compromising the integrity of the testing process.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stafford, OH, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast and accurate results. Known for their precision, these tests are highly effective in detecting substance use accurately and rapidly. Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests offer a reliable solution to identify prohibited substances, making them a preferred choice for timely and trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Stafford, OH, using hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety. Ensuring adherence to company standards, hair testing provides peace of mind, knowing that the organization maintains a safe and compliant working environment.

Drug Testing Near Stafford, OH

Batesville, OH

Caldwell, OH

Sarahsville, OH

Lower Salem, OH

Malaga, OH

Dexter City, OH

Macksburg, OH

Monroe, OH

Miltonsburg, OH

Woodsfield, OH

Summerfield, OH

Harriettsville, OH

Graysville, OH

Lewisville, OH

Sycamore Valley, 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