Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sterling, CT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now perceived as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged view of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can show a detection window for alcohol and drugs that spans about 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, the suggested amount is 150mg of the sample. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for precise weighing of the specimen. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be sourced. When we speak of head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory process of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial intake of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry if the electronic chain of custody system does not provide it.

Screening entails a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is an economical means to exclude drug consumption for most samples, yet a positive finding must be corroborated for legal acceptability. Samples that have a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a specimen yield a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from the hair at substantially lower concentrations than seen in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. The full laboratory pathway from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification, as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption over a span of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection scope.
• Resistant to deceit: It is notably challenging to manipulate the results of a hair drug test, resulting in enhanced accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a chronological pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Sterling, CT, hair testing regularly comes out on top. It offers superior detection accuracy over traditional methods, giving employers a reliable insight into long-term substance use.

While urine tests are limited to detecting recent use, hair tests uncover patterns up to 90 days, offering more reliable results in detecting drug usage over time.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Sterling, CT have a unique advantage with their extended detection period. With the ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, they offer employers a thorough history of an individual's substance use.

This extensive window provides a more comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's drug use, aiding in informed hiring and personnel decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Sterling, CT, hair follicle tests stand as a tamper-resistant method to ascertain drug use, substantially minimizing the risk of sample adulteration.

The robustness of the hair test process assures reliable and trustworthy results, providing peace of mind that the outcomes are accurate and definitive.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Testing's nationwide presence includes convenient locations in Sterling, CT, ensuring accessibility to testing services easily and efficiently.

With numerous centers nationwide, the process is hassle-free, emphasizing the convenience of arranging tests close to home or work.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our drug testing process in Sterling, CT is simple and confidential, catering to both ease and privacy. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are streamlined to minimize hassle.

Clients benefit from a process that respects privacy while ensuring clarity and simplicity from scheduling to results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Sterling, CT, our testing services offer competitive and affordable pricing, along with fast turnaround times, delivering excellent value for companies of all sizes.

This combination of cost-effectiveness and quick results ensures that businesses can maintain their drug-free policies without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Sterling, CT are renowned for their precision and rapid results. These tests offer a high degree of accuracy and efficient detection of substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes.

Employers value hair testing for its quick turnaround times and accurate revelations of an individual's drug history, making it an invaluable tool in maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By utilizing hair follicle testing in Sterling, CT, employers can assure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety.

This method grants employers peace of mind, knowing they are adhering to regulations while promoting a secure and productive work environment.

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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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