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Heroin is popular among high school and college grads. According to the Monitoring The Future study, 1.3% of the 8th grade students abused heroin in their past lifetime, and .8% in the past year, and .4% in the past month. The percentages were much higher in the 10th and 12th grads. These alarming numbers tells the need for active heroin drug testing at schools, colleges, and other places to deter the drug abuse.
Heroin drug test is usually conducted to identify the presence of its drug metabolites in a body. The presence of the drug can be monitored by different types of tests suitable to the convenience of test administration.
Urine Drug Testing:
Urine drug testing is the most common method used for drug detection. It is less expensive when compared to other tests. The cut off level for this is 300ng/mL. The detection period of the drug is 2-4 days. This test strip gives positive result if the drug in the urine specimen exceeds the cut off level and negative if it is below the cut off level.
Hair Drug Testing:
Hair drug testing is not the common method used for drug testing. It is expensive when compared to the Urine Drug Testing. This test can be used to detect substance use for a long period of time, but it cannot detect drug abuse within past one week. The cut off level for this test is 0.1ng/mL. It takes several months to detect the drug. This test gives positive result if the drug in the hair specimen exceeds cut off level and negative if it is below the cut off level.
Saliva Drug Testing:
Saliva drug testing test is also not the common method. This test can detect more recent use of the drug and it is very easy to administer but it is still more expensive than Urine Drug Testing. The cut off level for this test is 40ng/mL. It takes some weeks to detect the drug. This test gives positive result when the drug in the saliva specimen exceeds cut off level and negative if it is below the cut off level.
With increase in use of Heroin, concerns on health of abusers and effects on the society are growing. Parents should observe their children’s habits in order to reduce the usage of drugs. For tracing these two drugs one should select appropriate method of drug testing which gives accurate test results.
Posts Tagged ‘Hair Drug Testing’
Drug Testing for Heroin
Posted in drug test hair 
Tags: Alarming Numbers, Grade Students, Hair Drug Testing, Substance Use, Urine SpecimenMyths in Beating Hair Drug Tests
People who view hair drug testing as a threat for different reasons look for various ways to pass hair drug tests. The popularity of these methods led to an increasing growth of a market niche that help people pass drug testing. You will find numerous places online that claim to have products that can beat different kinds of drug tests from traditional urine and blood tests, to saliva and hair follicle drug testing.
There are many reasons drug dependent individuals will find ways to pass hair drug tests. First, it is mandatory for some companies to seek for drug tests during the employment process. Workplace drug testing has been an ever increasing trend in strengthening the workforce of a company while limiting costs due to inefficient and drug impaired employees. Drug testing is also an initial requirement for college admission via sports scholarship or during a physical competition.
However, are these claims true? In the realm of hair drug testing, online sources claim that there are shampoos and detox liquid solutions to help erase drug residue in the hair. At the same time, there is certain home remedies advertised to pass hair drug testing. Many are led to believe that passing drug tests is easy. While it is true that there is the minute possibility in passing a hair drug tests, many agree that it borders the line of impossibility.
For hair drug tests, there are certain detox shampoos on the market claiming to remove drug traces in hair. Using different ingredients, these shampoos claim to remove common toxins such as marijuana, THC, nicotine, and alcohol right into the scalp of the hair. These shampoos include step-by-step instructions to protect the solution during application.
However, there is no academic basis to these claims. Research have shown that hair as a storage for information can be analyzed up to its smallest parts that it can even detect the use of detoxifying shampoos. In that case, hair drug testers can weed out the cheaters and will have basis to apply blood or urine drug testing.
Another growing myth is that blonde hair has a better chance of passing a hair drug test. This is validated with studies suggesting that melatonin can help increase drug level reading. Since melatonin is more numerous in black hair, it is claimed that people can pass hair drug testing by changing their hair to a lighter color.
However, this is only a superficial solution similar to detox shampoos. All the more, changing the color of your hair does not change the melatonin levels of an originally black hair. People who believe that the ingredients in artificial hair coloring can dissolve drug sufficient enough to pass hair drug testing are therefore invalidated.
Truly, the best way to pass a hair drug test is to not take drugs at all. Resorting to different claims that holds no water will put you in greater trouble than you already are. The best solution is to come clean rather than join the hoopla of assuming that you can pass a hair drug test
Posted in drug test hair Tags: Academic Basis, Dependent Individuals, Different Reasons, Drug Residue, Hair Drug TestingComparison of Hair Drug Testing With Saliva Drug Testing
An examination of specimen to detect specific drug presence or to determine prior drug abuse is known as drug test. Several methods have been developed to trace drug presence. Among those Hair and Saliva drug testing methods have emerged rapidly and accepted widely throughout the world.
Characteristics Of Hair Drug Testing And Saliva Drug Testing
Hair drug testing method is usually preferred in forensic studies due to its highly accurate results and many organizations use hair drug testing to find drug abuse for longer periods. Saliva drug testing is used in businesses, schools and in sports as results can be obtained immediately and due to its portability.
Hair drug testing and Saliva drug testing methods, both are donor friendly and difficult to adulterate. However, they have specific characteristics in respect of applications of usage.
• Easiness:
- The procedure followed to test drug presence using hair drug testing is easy. It is required to collect some hair samples and to send to a lab for testing.
- Saliva drug testing is easy to use and test can be conducted at the site of specimen collection.
• Duration For Drug Detection:
- Using Hair Drug Testing method, drug presence can be detected even after 90 days from the time of abuse. This test is widely accepted due to its effectiveness in results.
- Saliva drug testing is considered as an effective method to determine recent drug abuse and the duration of detection is 1-2 days from the time of abuse. Effectiveness of the results in saliva drug testing is based on the collection of the specimen.
• Adulteration:
- Adulteration of test samples in hair drug testing is highly impossible.
- In saliva drug testing, it is harder to adulterate but it is good to collect the specimen under the supervision for better results.
• Detects Major Drugs:
- Five major drugs abuse can be detected using hair drug testing using enzyme-immunoassay method.
- Seven major drugs can be detected using saliva drug testing, and using GC/MS method.
• Easy And Convenient:
- Hair drug testing technique is used at laboratories to detect drug presence from the test samples. Performing this test is easy, and convenient for those who know how to perform.
- Saliva drug testing is easy, and convenient to perform the test. This technique is more sensitive than any other drug testing method.
• Accuracy Of Results:
- Hair drug testing results are 100% accurate and these results are used as evidence for drug abuse.
- Accuracy of results in saliva drug testing is 95-98% and often performed in post accident situations.
• Skills Required For Conducting The Test:
- To perform a hair drug test, the person may need relevant knowledge to conduct the test. This test is usually conducted in highly equipped labs.
- Saliva drug testing can be performed by anyone, and at both home and lab.
This information gives characteristics of Hair drug testing and Saliva drug testing to understand the specific applications and to use both the testing methods effectively.
Posted in drug test hair Tags: Accurate Results, Forensic Studies, Hair Drug Testing, Periods, RespectHair Drug Testing and Sports
Hair drug testing has been going on for quite some time to test if criminals were under the influence during a crime, help parents gain custody of their children by proving their sobriety and to screen employees for highly skilled jobs. Now, athletes have been added to the list of people most often screened using hair drug testing.
Hair drug testing is pretty discreet. A small hair sample is taken from the base of a person’s head and it is taken to a laboratory where several tests will be performed to see if certain markers show up on the hair shaft. These special markers only appear if the person has been abusing drugs. Hair drug testing can even prove whether a person was drinking alcohol- up to 12 months ago. One specific marker, called EtG, ethyl glucuronide is one of the most interesting parts of the hair test. With EtG alcohol testing or EtG drug testing, the more alcohol or drugs a person consumes, the greater amount of EtG markers are revealed in the hair sample.
Hair Drug Testing Compared to Other Forms of Testing
EtG testing is unique compared to other tests because EtG testing shows a lengthy history of abuse instead of hours or at most- a couple days of use like urine alcohol testing would. EtG testing can prove up to 12 months of alcohol abuse- unlike urine alcohol testing, which can only show about a week’s worth of alcohol abuse- because alcohol is so quickly filtered throughout the body through urine, sweat and evaporation.
As more sports organizations discover hair drug and hair alcohol testing as an alternative to urine alcohol testing, they will find that it is more cost effective way to test for substance abuse. That is because no more than twice a year will it be necessary to test athletes due to the length of drugs and alcohol history that it provides.
The World is More Passionate than Ever about Fair Competition
With more reliable and accurate drug and hair alcohol testing technology, it is insulting to the other athletes who work so incredibly hard to win races, tournaments and gold medals without performance enhancing drugs- Times are changing and to let a cheater squeak through because sports organizations are still relying on the older technology testing doesn’t seem like fair play.
Usefulness of hair follicle drug testing
Hair follicle drug testing is a method by which it can be tested whether you are drug addicted or not. It is a sure and reliable and accurate way of testing your drug addiction. In your workplace you may have to go through this test and therefore you can test this beforehand. Nothing is good than a sample drug testing. It is a great way of detecting whether or not a person has used drugs in the past 90 days. It can be in home format or office format but it is always useful to know the details of drug addiction. Sample hair drug testing serves the purpose of answering questions about an individual’s drug use history.
Now we have to know how a hair follicle drug testing works. It is actually very simple but it requires a sample of hair to be completed the test. There are lots of ways of detecting that. You can collect a person’s hair from his or her pillow cover secretly. If you are worried about your child’s addiction then you can do this in order to find out the truth. If you are an employer then you have to request your employee to give that strand of hair. Once the sample is collected then it is sent to the particular laboratory and the examination is done there. Hair follicle testing is faster than any other test and more reliable too.
It is reliable because it can detect drug addiction or drug use for upto 90 days. The detection window of this type of test is more accurate and much larger as other test like saliva test and urine test do not have this type of detecting window. Trace amounts of drugs and other chemicals become trapped inside each hair. A simple lab test can detect these trace chemicals making for either a positive or negative test result. Once the test is done you are sent the result notification. Some companies even provide a phone service where you call in, enter an account number and retrieve the results in that way.
Now the question is what kinds of drugs can be detected by hair drug testing. Hair sample drug testing can detect all of the major types of drugs, including marijuana, opiates, methamphetamines, PCP, ecstasy, and cocaine. Hair follicle drug testing can detect the trace amounts of illicit substances trapped in the cortex of the hair for up to 90 days after use. Though hair testing is more expensive than other testing but employers are more prone to this test because of its accuracy and trustworthiness. Employee drug testing programs often incorporate hair follicle drug testing into their plans because of this. A urine drug test kit, for example, can provide a level of accuracy that is nearly ten times that of other testing methods. Likewise, hair follicle drug testing does not involve the embarrassing collection of samples like that of urine or saliva drug tests. A single strand of hair is all that is needed to obtain accurate results.
Posted in drug test hair Tags: Addiction Drug, Hair Drug Testing, Hair Follicle Drug Testing, Saliva Test, Urine TestHair Drug Testing: Accurate and Effective
Many companies require a drug test when hiring a new employee. They may require it instead of or alongside of a background check. This ensures companies that they are getting an employee that is reliable. However, while most utilize urine drug testing, many have not caught on to the effective and accurate method of hair drug testing that would provide them a much better view of an individual.
The bottom line is that the traditional forms of drug testing are not going to provide information on a very long period of time. For example, with urine most drugs are only detectable for a few days after their use. While there are some drugs that may be detected past this time frame, it is possible that the drug would pass out of the body quickly and be undetected by the test. While many companies combat this by having employees take the test within 24 or 48 hours it is still not foolproof. In comparison, a hair drug test is going to provide a 90 day history of the applicant’s drug habits. This can be tested with 1.5 inches of hair.
It is amazing that the hairs on our head hold so much information. While head hair is preferable, it is even possible for hair on other areas of the body to be used. It is remarkable that this information is simply hidden inside the follicles of our hair and can be pulled out at any time.
A hair drug test screens for the same drugs that a urine test screens for. When the lab tests for drugs through this method they would typically remove about 40-50 strands. This may seem like a lot but it is really a small amount of hair. I’m sure it will grow back quickly!
The great thing about using a hair drug test is that it could be potentially used in random drug pools to be a more accurate indication of an individual’s drug use, especially when a company or position has a strict anti-drug policy. Generally speaking random drug pools are used in very safety sensitive positions and other positions that require people to be in tip top condition at all times. By utilizing this type of test they are going to get more accurate results that will potentially help keep more individuals off drugs and weed out those individuals that are getting away with using on the job.
Drug testing accuracy is really based on the technology that is used for the test. It is also dependent upon the skills of the organization you use for processing the drug screens. This makes it very important to research and understand the company you are utilizing for your drug screening procedures. Further, proper handling of all samples is very important as is the processing of the samples. Work with a well-known and professional company to achieve the best results. Often times the nature of the drugs themselves will sway the results as the chemical nature varies widely for each drug.
As companies look for ways to hire the best employees they may start to have stricter standards when it comes to background check procedures and drug screens. Perhaps hair drug testing will be the new way to go. Perhaps we can say goodbye to the little cup we think of so fondly when we enter our local drug testing facility and say hello to a nice new pair of shears. Only time will tell.
Posted in drug test hair Tags: Drug Habits, Follicles, Hair Drug Testing, Lab Tests, Urine Drug TestingAdvantages of Hair Drug Testing Over Urine Drug Testing
Urine analysis as a drug test is the most common method to detect and confirm any suspicion of individuals under drug influence. Urine drug testing is trusted in institutions in both the public and the private sector. However, newer technology like oral sample drug tests and hair drug testing presents advantages for employers, parents, or anyone who is interested and concerned about their loved ones.
Hair Drugs Tests Detect Longer
The time detection rate of hair drug tests is longer. In fact, scientists have discovered drug used in Chilean and Peruvian mummies dating back to 1000 B.C. Therefore, there is a lot of information that can be stored in our hair. An illegal drugs abuser with the prior knowledge of drug testing can abstain for three days to two weeks before submitting to a urine drug tests. With urine drug tests, these violators go away scot-free.
With hair drug testing, detection rate can go up to three months or 90 days. That is why more employers are turning to hair drug test for this reason alone. Employers do not care about applicants using drugs now as much as the pattern or history of drug use. Most importantly, hair drug testers can accurately give a timeline of the violators drug use. Hair drug testing is fundamentally more relevant in the work place.
Hair Drug Tests have no risk of Adulteration
Adulteration or switching urine samples prior to a drug test is one of the common methods to escape a positive reading. Usually, a “clean” friend donates his urine sample to the drug user so that he can be accepted into a job. This method is also used in violators who are applying for a driver’s license.
However, hair samples are hard to switch. Hair drug testers can easily pluck a hair strand from an individual. In comparison with urine drug testing where the extracting a sample should be done privately, hair drug testing is a non-intrusive and non-embarrassing method in taking samples for drug tests.
At the same time, hair drug tests can be done without the knowledge of the person being tested. A hair follicle sample can be taken from a hair brush or a comb. This is most useful for parents who want to avoid asking their children to take a urine drug tests. With this method, teenage drug abusers won’t know if they are being tested.
Cost Effective
With the different advantages of hair drug testing, employers and company looks at cost efficiency to justify the use of hair sample drug testing. While it is more expensive than traditional drug tests, the accuracy and detection range of hair drug tests prevents greater costs associated with impaired or delinquent workers. Hair drug testing promises cost efficiency in the long run while ensuring a more robust, dynamic and drug-free workforce.
Posted in drug test hair Tags: Drug Testers, Hair Drug Testing, Hair Strand, Suspicion, Urine SamplesThe Future Of Drug Testing – Hair Sampling
One may consider the hair as a person’s crowning glory. In fact, most people spend hours in front of the mirror fixing their hair. Aside from making each one of us look good, the hair has yet another function you might be interested in. In today’s modern world, there comes another way of detecting drugs in individuals. Yes, using the hair! And it is actually the most accurate method of detecting drug abuse in individuals. It can detect drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates and the like. It is known as the hair drug test.
1. Ten Times More Effective Than Urine Drug Tests
With this kind of modern and convenient method, it is now easy for schools and even employers to test students and employees to determine whether or not they have drugs in their system. Hair drug tests come in handy kits with instructions on how to get hair specimens, then send it to the laboratory for evaluation.
2. How It Works:
According to studies, when a person takes in drugs, as with any other substances, such as food, medicines, or drinks, it mixes with our blood, and as we all know, the blood nourishes all parts of our body, including the head. Hints of these chemicals then become trapped or filtered through the hair follicle, thus, as the hair grows, these chemicals are stored in the hair. Interestingly, these chemicals become a part of the hair itself.
- Very accurate – Chemicals in the hair can be traced – Traces not just drugs in system at the time, but over the past three months! – A two-inch sample can give that persons drug history for a four month period of time – Hair drug testing is much more costly than urine testing – Hair testing is now widely used due to it’s effectiveness
3. How It’s Done:
- A hair drug test involves cutting a minimum of 50 strands of hair – Hair must be cut approximately one and a half inches from the scalp – Hair is then sent to the drug testing laboratory – The hair is actually screened and reviewed, then liquified for final testing – There are lots of hair drug testing kits available today
4. Hair Drug Testing Kits
Hair drug testing kits, though widely available, are not affordable. Prices range from $50-$69 for a complete kit. Laboratory processing fees are usually included when you make your purchase.
One point of view to consider tough – a positive test result does not automatically mean the person uses illegal drugs. In fact, positive results are sometimes triggered by other legal substances. One maybe is under medication or taking maintenance medications, or over-the-counter medications. It is wise therefore, that when the confirmation test comes back positive, it is important for a doctor, nurse, or other specialist to review the results and determine if illegal drugs are indeed the guilty party.
5. Beating Hair Drug Tests Is Impossible
Now other smart individuals are finding ways and means to beat the hair drug tests. Some say one can pass it through a kind of shampoo, especially from companies that claim that their shampoo cleans off all the toxins in the hair, but they are wrong. These toxins are already part of the hair follicle’s structure, cleaning it will literally mean taking it all off. The hair is like a plant. If a plant grows in a toxic environment, it will absorb toxins and toxins will become part of its structure – no amount of shampoo will change that.
As we cannot clean off toxins in the hair, can we mask it by bleach or dyeing one’s hair? Maybe for a time, yes we can. But then, our skin is made up of fatty tissues. These fatty tissues are responsible for storing toxins in the body. When our body sweats, it gives off skin oil and release toxins, and these will be touched and be absorbed by the hair. It’s like a cycle. The masked hair will then be contaminated once more.
Others shave off their hair, but sad to say, toxins don’t leave the body anytime soon. If you are being kept in confinement, your hair will slowly grow back in, and your drug use history will come back for all to see with it.
Circumventing Drug Tests: Yesterday’s News
alcohol hair testingare another way to assess the lifestyle of a potential employee or one that is already employed. Some people have impeccable resumes but the way in which they live their life will surface in the workplace and severely damage the inner workings of the company.
These tests are becoming more and more the mainstream tests for drugs and alcohol because they are less likely to be circumvented. There’s too much privacy involved with a urine test because it’s taken behind closed doors. Switching of the urine is easy to do because they don’t pat you down before you go in. There have been advances to try and combat this, like heat tests, but that can be easily faked by warming the liquid before you pour it into the test tube.
Hair testing is a lot more elusive and harder to fake. For example, it can be done with the doctor sitting their in the room. Someone else’s hair can’t be used in this kind of test. The best that anyone can do is severely bleach their hair or shave their head. You’ll be able to see the ramifications if your entire staff shows up the next day, bald.
As time passes and people get deservingly promoted to more responsibility and work, the stress levels in our body rises as well. While it’s ok to enjoy the occasional drink to soothe our overworked lives, it can easily amount into a full fledged addiction. The difference being the amount you have to drink, versus the amount you want to drink to relax.
It’s hard to call someone out on their shortcomings. We can sympathize with them, but the amount of work that is suffering due to their inability to control themselves is not what a successful company can hold. If the person is well liked around the office this can especially be a difficult situation because the rest of your staff can turn on you. The best thing to do is to explain to them why disciplinary action had to be taken. If you leave them in the dark then they are just going to make up reasons that will ultimately make them lose respect for you.
These tests are instated to help you as an employer pick out the best candidates for your company. You need people that have a proactive lifestyle, rather than a diminishing one. When people can’t hold their own lives together, how can you expect them to hold their work life together? It may be a tough thing to do when the person is well liked, but you can’t make it personal when trying to run a successful business.
Posted in pass drug test Tags: Drug Tests, Hair Drug Testing, Inner Workings, Lifestyle, Ramifications