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ToxLogic is one of the earliest providers of hair drug and alcohol testing in Australia. Through the testing of hair samples, we have helped hundreds of individuals, companies and levels of government in proving substance use or abstinence.
Hair testing is specific, accurate and quantitative. This means it can determine low, medium or high levels of substance. However, a comparison of results between individuals should not be made for a number of reasons, such as metabolism, purity of drug and hair treatments.
The Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) has proposed guidelines for levels of the alcohol marker ethyl glucuronide (EtG) for hair lengths 3cm up to 6cm.
EtG ≤5pg/mg – suggestive of abstinence
EtG >5pg/mg – <30pg/mg – suggestive of repeated alcohol consumption
EtG ≥30pg/mg – suggestive chronic excessive alcohol consumption
The amount of substance detected in the hair cannot be used to determine the amount of substance consumed.
Hair drug testing is sometimes referred to as hair follicle testing. This however is incorrect as the hair follicle is inside the scalp. Instead, hair is cut close to the scalp and only the hair strands are tested.
Hair drug tests are a useful tool for investigating long-term substance use habits. Analysis of sections of hair for drugs and alcohol can help establish a history or pattern of use.
When substances enter the bloodstream, the drug and/or its metabolites are deposited in the hair follicle. These deposits remain in the hair strand as it grows.
By analysing a length of hair, the drugs used over a specified period can be identified. This means a one-centimetre length of hair will provide about a one-month history of drug use.
We collect hair samples under chain of custody conditions using a specialised collection kit we have developed.
The collection procedure involves cutting hair from the area around the crown of the head. The collector will lift the hair to select a lock from underneath where the hair naturally sits. The lock is cut close to the scalp which will leave a small area on the scalp but, unless a person’s hair is very short, this is generally not cosmetically visible.
We routinely collect 2 locks of 50-100 hairs per lock, with each lock, when twisted, being about the thickness of a phone charger cable.
If head hair is not available, we can use body hair in most cases, such as armpit hair.
ToxLogic sends collected hair samples to referral laboratories Cansford Laboratories in the United Kingdom and Human and Supplement Testing Australia (HASTA) in Melbourne.
Cansford Laboratories is a pioneer in hair drug and alcohol testing. Their work and research in this field are world-renowned. HASTA specialises in sports drug testing. Both laboratories are fully accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
ToxLogic works with both laboratories to provide our clients with the most detailed picture of a person’s substance use.
With their extensive expertise both laboratories can provide expert interpretation of results. These can assist clients in establishing patterns of use and presenting results to the courts. Expert reports are available for an additional charge.
We can perform testing for panels of drugs and alternatively individual drug groups. The panels we offer cover the broad range of common illicit drugs and misused prescription medications. We provide quotes based on individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
We ask a number of questions to determine the right test for you or your client. This helps us understand your hair testing goals and ensures value for money.
Questions we commonly ask:
If you’d like to know more about hair testing see our frequently asked questions page. Alternatively contact our hair testing team phone: 1300 56 86 96 or email: specialtox@toxlogic.com.au
