How Hair Drug Tests Are Conducted For Five Commonly Abused Drugs
- Author James Foster
- Published February 28, 2010
- Word count 478
Hair drug testing is a commonly used method to detect abused drug presence and metabolites in the body. It can find drug abuse precisely with detection period of up to 90 days. Analyzing a small sample of hair can reveal the drug presence as hair strands are constantly nourished by blood that contains the drug molecules. Although hair drug testing is expensive than other methods of drug testing, it is more accurate and not invasive. A hair drug test can test commonly abused five drugs like Amphetamines, Cannabinoids, Cocaine, Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP).
Hair Specimen Collection
A sample of 120 strands or 60 mg of hair strands that are 1.5 inches long are required for hair drug testing. At the time of specimen collection, it should be ensured that the hair is not bleached and dyed in period of last 3 months. To have a good specimen, the hair is normally collected from crown part of head. A hair clip can be used to collect a bunch of hair strands from the crown part of the head. Hair is then cut as close as possible to the scalp to get a good length for testing. These samples are then wrapped in a foil and kept in an envelope which is later send to laboratory for analysis.
Test Procedure
Before starting the test procedure, each sample is initially weighed. The sample hair strands are then cut into very small pieces and are intermixed in order to create a uniform sample. Later the drugs are extracted from hair in liquid form, which is then screened by Enzyme-Immunoassay (EIA) technique. The drug molecules that are embedded in the hair follicle can be measured through EIA. If the results come out to be positive, another part of samples is washed, and drugs are extracted. This is then subjected to confirmation testing by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The sample will be confirmed as negative, if there are no drugs or metabolites present or the result is below the cutoff level and as positive if drugs or metabolites are present above the cutoff level.
Cut Off Values Of The Drugs
The drug cut off level is the level of drug or metabolite concentration in the specimen. Any concentration level above cut off level gives a positive result. The drugs that are tested by hair drug tests have screening cut off level and confirmation cut off level. The screening cut off level and confirmation cut off level for each commonly abused drug is different. The screening cut off levels for different drugs are as under:
Amphetamines -- 0.5 ng/mg
Cannabinoids -- 0.005 ng/mg
Cocaines -- 0.5 ng/mg
Opiates -- 0.2 ng/mg
Phencyclidine (PCP) -- 0.3 ng/mg
Hair drug testing is one of the most accurate and effective methods of finding drug abuse. Possibility of adulterating hair drug testing results with shampoos or other external chemicals is minimal.
DrugTestStrips.com is an online store offering drug test kit and Drug Screening Products in several formats including Blood, Urine and Oral drug testing kit. DrugTestStrips.com offers FDA-approved urine drug testing kit as well as DOT-approved alcohol testing products. Some of the popular products are Ovulation test, Marijuana drug test, Nicotine drug test
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The challenge of Cholera today
- The two doctors who made a difference in preventing polio
- What was the Miasma Theory of Disease
- Can Dental Nerve Damage Heal? Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
- How does pfizer xanax 2mg work ?
- How to deal with painful chilblains on the foot?
- How to treat Severs Disease in the Child's Foot?
- Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits in Children | Practical Tips and Success Stories
- What is sesamoiditis in the foot and what can be done about it?
- Alcohol Consumption: Risks, Influences, and Health Impacts
- Dr. Aaron Cwik DDS inspired by Oral Surgeon Robert Marx
- How to deal with growing pains in the legs of children?
- What is a Durlacher corn on the foot?
- What does the future hole for Alzheimers disease?
- Heel spur & Foot scan treatment
- How can moisture between the toes be treated?
- Butler Family Health Center Unveils New Website to Enhance Patient Experience in Centennial, Colorado Area
- THCa vs. CBD: Difference and Medical Benefits
- What is a Morton's Neuroma in the Foot?
- How to deal with tired and aching feet?
- Why Choose Dental Implants in Bangor for a Perfect Smile
- What is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis in the foot?
- What are the most common cause of problems with the toenails?
- The Importance of Childhood Immunisations for Long-term Health | KinderCure
- Venetoclax Overview
- The importance of childhood vaccinations
- Clavicle fractures; clinical pictures, diagnosis, treatment
- Lessons You Can learn from the fitness class
- Navigating the Stars: A Critical Examination of Medical Astrology
- Fighting the Silent Epidemic: Safeguard Your Child's Future with Vitamin D Screening at KinderCure | Dr. Garima Mengi