Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wheelersburg, OH

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The hair serves as a historical record over a longer period by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeline for alcohol and drugs of up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5-inch with about 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the preferred amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, further add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is best for weighing the sample. If the scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Mention of head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages of processing a drug test in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab’s system, which includes confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and fulfilling any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, efficient method for identifying drug misuse. While it economically excludes drug usage in most samples, a favorable screening must be confirmed to be legally accepted. Any samples with a possible positive result from Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

In the event that a sample tests as potentially positive during Screening, further hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for the Extraction process. Drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples are cleansed beforehand if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can detect substance use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a brief detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus providing more reliable results.
• Provides usage history: It illustrates a timeline of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Fluctuations in results: Aspects such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand and not the scalp’s follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Tests in Wheelersburg, OH
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the former provides unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing captures substance use over weeks to months, far surpassing traditional methods that often miss sporadic or past use.

Furthermore, hair tests offer a comprehensive substance history, rather than the limited snapshot urine tests provide. This long window ensures employers receive a corroborated overview of an individual's drug use history, offering assurance of informed decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Lengthy Detection Windows: A Benefit in Wheelersburg, OH
The expanded detection period found in hair follicle testing provides a substantial advantage for employers seeking thorough assessments. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, this method offers a detailed and elongated substance use history.

Employers gain critical insights into a candidate's longer-term habits, facilitating informed decisions and fostering safer workplace environments. In contrast, traditional methods only cover recent use, missing broader substance patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reduced Risk of Tampering with Hair Follicle Testing in Wheelersburg, OH
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the potential for sample tampering, presenting a robust and trustworthy option for drug testing. The process, which includes supervised sample collection, negates any chance of altering results.

This tamper-resistant quality is crucial for employers requiring authentic and incontestable drug screening outcomes, reinforcing trust in employment decisions and doubting efforts to cheat the test.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Centers Across the Nation and Locally in Wheelersburg, OH
Accredited Drug Testing simplifies access to drug testing services by offering numerous nationwide and local centers, including in Wheelersburg. Ensuring ease and convenience, our centers provide efficient and hassle-free experiences.

Clients can expect prompt service and seamless testing encounters, elevating the overall experience to accommodate busy schedules and alleviate logistical concerns associated with testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential Testing Process in Wheelersburg, OH
The process of ordering, conducting, and acquiring results from hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and private. Clients enjoy simple procedures ensuring discretion and privacy.

This worry-free experience addresses concerns of confidentiality and usability, making it accessible to all seeking in-depth information without sacrificing personal data integrity or undergoing complicated processes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Solutions and Quick Turnarounds in Wheelersburg, OH
Hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures without compromising quality or speed. Accredited Drug Testing presents value-driven solutions with rapid result delivery suitable for all business sizes.

Companies benefit from both cost-effective rates and fast processing times, allowing them to manage budgets effectively while maintaining high standards in drug testing services, satisfying both employer and legal expectations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Hair Follicle Drug Testing in Wheelersburg, OH
Hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed, making them a preferred choice in modern drug detection. The method's inherent accuracy delivers reliable results, quickly identifying substance use with impressive consistency.

This rapid testing assures employers of instant, reliable outcomes, minimizing the delay often associated with typical drug screening processes. Such efficiency allows decisions based on solid, trustworthy evidence, essential in high-stakes environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind in Wheelersburg, OH
For employers, adopting hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks. This robust method enhances workplace safety and fosters a healthy work environment.

A comprehensive drug testing program instills confidence among employers and employees, reinforcing trust and promoting a drug-free culture, ultimately boosting productivity and organizational reputation.

Drug Testing Near Wheelersburg, OH

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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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