|
1. What
drugs does HairConfirm™
screen for?
HairConfirm™
screens for five different drug classes: Cocaine (cocaine &
benzoylecgonine), Marijuana, Opiates (Codeine, Morphine &
6-monacteyl morphine), Amphetamine (Meth/amphetamine & Ecstasy) and
Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust).
The fact that HairConfirm screens for the five most popular drug
classes is a major advantage to parents. Many parents use this test
to detect possible marijuana use but some do not believe that
marijuana is 'that' harmful. However parents should be aware that
teens who start out as casual marijuana users are more likely to use
harder drugs such as ecstasy, meth and cocaine than teens who do
not. So it is important to test your child at the first signs of
suspicious behavior that could be the result of drug use and even if
there are no signs. HairConfirm is a very effective drug-prevention
tool and will help in aiding parents to enforce a drug-free policy
in their home.
2. What
time period does the HairConfirm™ test cover?
HairConfirm™ will
detect drugs for a period of 90 days. The test requires a hair
sample of 1.5 inches in length. Each 0.5 inch represents 30 days.
The hair sample must be cut as close to the scalp as possible and
the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.
3. How
does the test work?
Using the
detailed instructions as a guide, collect a hair sample of
approximately 90-120 hairs. Mail the hair sample to our affiliate
laboratory, Omega Laboratories, Inc, using the pre-addressed
envelope provided. The laboratory will analyze the hair sample for
evidence of drug use. Using your HairConfirm™ Specimen ID number,
passcode and email address, you must register your test once you
have mailed the samples to the laboratory.
4. Is your
Laboratory Accredited?
Omega Laboratories,
Inc* is accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
(CLIA) and all tests are supervised, reviewed and approved by Ph.D.
staff scientists. Omega Laboratories have performed over 1.5 million
hair tests.
5. How fast does head hair grow?
Studies
indicate that head hair grows on average of 0.5 inches (1.3cm) per
month. This growth rate varies slightly (estimated at ± 0.2 cm per
month), consequently there is some (± 1 week) time variation
possible. Head and body hair do not grow at the same rate; body hair
grows at a slower rate.
6. How soon after use can a drug be detected in hair?
It takes approximately 4-5 days from the time of drug use for the
affected hair to grow above the scalp. Body hair growth rates are
generally slower and cannot be utilized to determine a timeframe of
drug use.
7. Can tests be run on people with little or no hair?
Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to
obtain the required amount of hair. If the head hair is too short,
body hair can be used as a substitute. If body hair is used the
timeframe represented by the test is approximately one year due to
the different growth pattern in hair below the neck. NOTE: DO
NOT mix head and body hair.
8. What is the shortest time period that
can be accurately evaluated?
The minimum time period is approximately one month (0.5 inch).
9. Does external
exposure to certain drugs, like Marijuana or crack smoke, affect the
hair test results?
To rule out the
possibility of external contamination, HairConfirm™ testing (where
appropriate) looks for both parent & metabolite (bi-product) of drug
usage. For Marijuana analysis, our laboratory detects only the
metabolite (THC-COOH). This metabolite is only produced by the body
and cannot be an environmental contaminant.
10. Can hair be affected by cross-reacting substances such as
over-the-counter medications?
Enzyme-immunoassay antibodies (EIA), similar to those used to test
urine, are used for the initial drug screening in hair; therefore
the potential for substances such as over-the-counter medications to
cause a false positive screening result does exist. To eliminate the
possibility of reporting a false-positive result due to
cross-reactivity, our laboratory performs Gas Chromatography Mass
Spectrometry (GC/MS) for all specimens that screen positive.
11. Does hair color affect results?
Hair color is determined by the amount of melanin in the hair. It
has been shown experimentally, through actual hair samples, as well
as determined in court, that hair color has NO basis in fact.
12. Can hair collected from a hairbrush be used?
No, we do not recommend taking a hair sample from a brush or any
other source (e.g. pillow, clothing) as the sample may be
contaminated and there is no guarantee that the hair is from your
child. The laboratory will reject a hair sample if it is not
collected and prepared as per the instructions.
13. How does HairConfirm™ compare to urinalysis or saliva tests
on the market?
The primary differences are:
1) Wider window of detection
2) Inability to tamper with the test
Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Opiates and Phencyclidine are rapidly
excreted and usually undetectable in urine 72 hours after use, and
in saliva 48 hours after use. The detection period for hair is
limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately
90 days.
14. How effective is Hair Testing in detecting drug users?
In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug
testing has uncovered significantly more drug use. In two
independent studies, hair drug testing uncovered 4 to 8 times as
many drug users as urinalysis for evidence of drug use.
15. How long will it take to receive the results?
We know it is important that you receive results as quickly as
possible. HairConfirm™ has the fastest turnaround time for hair
testing.
Using the shipping label included in this kit, the laboratory will
receive the sample the next business day. Tests results are
available 2 business days after the sample has been received by the
laboratory.
16. How will I read the results?
The results will indicate a positive or negative result for each
drug class. In addition, when a donor tests positive, the result
will provide an assessment of hair dose response to identify whether
the donor is a low (occasional), medium (weekend, daily) or high
(constant) user**.
Please be aware that in some cases, due to the way the body
metabolizes the Marijuana (THC) drug, if a user is a regular user,
it may not always show up as 'positive' on the test.
*Omega
Laboratory is located in 400 N. Cleveland Avenue , Mogadore , Ohio
44260
**Excluding
Marijuana.
|
