Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Union, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, it can offer up to around a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system, including the verification of proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary Confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are pre-washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficult to manipulate: The accuracy of results improves because hair drug tests are tough to falsify.
• Historiographical data: It provides insight into drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Can't identify recent usage: Detectability in hair takes approximately 5-7 days after drug use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally higher in cost compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variances can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In West Union, OH, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing significantly. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, largely due to their extensive evaluation period. This ensures that drug or alcohol use does not go unnoticed weeks after the fact, unlike urine tests, where traces might dissipate quickly. The reliability of hair testing makes it indispensable in monitoring long-term substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an elongated detection window, unparalleled by other testing forms in West Union, OH. Extending up to 90 days, it provides employers an in-depth overview of an individual's drug history. This comprehensive insight allows businesses to make informed decisions, ensuring the workplace remains drug-free and secure, reflecting a candidate's or employee's true substance use habits over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in West Union, OH are engineered to resist tampering, crucial for obtaining valid results. Unlike urine tests, the collection and analysis processes of hair tests virtually eliminate the possibility of sample adulteration. This integrity assures employers and authorities alike of the test's authenticity and reliability, fostering a trustworthy testing environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access with nationwide centers including West Union, OH. Our extensive network allows seamless drug testing services, making the process effortless for individuals and organizations. Local availability ensures quick, hassle-free, and easily accessible testing facilities, catering to all needs effectively and promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for hair follicle testing in West Union, OH is both straightforward and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving results are simple steps designed to protect user privacy. This streamlined approach guarantees an unintrusive experience while safeguarding personal information, alleviating concerns over confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing in West Union, OH is cost-effective for businesses of all sizes. The swift turnaround times ensure timely results, providing excellent value. Employers can continue operations without hindrance, secure in the knowledge they have invested in a service that is both economical and efficient.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched in West Union, OH. Not only do they provide rapid and reliable results, but their ability to accurately detect a wide array of substances makes them an essential tool for many organizations. The high degree of precision ensures that results are trustworthy, making them preferable for accurate substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

West Union, OH employers gain significant peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug policies, these tests diminish legal risks and reinforce workplace safety. Their efficacy in detecting long-term drug use helps maintain compliant and secure work environments, upholding stringent standards and promoting employee well-being.

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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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