Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Mystic, CT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of approximately three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of about 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any added data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial expedited assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples that display a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of a presumptive positive result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: It is exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical patterns: It can highlight a pattern of drug use over a timeframe, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in West Mystic, CT

The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine tests is evident in West Mystic, CT. Hair tests provide a longer detection window and are less prone to tampering. Urine tests may be efficient for detecting recent use, but hair tests offer consistent reliability, making them the preferred choice for many organizations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in West Mystic, CT

Hair follicle testing reveals substance use up to 90 days prior, offering a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug history. Organizations in West Mystic benefit from this long-term detection capability, ensuring informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Mystic, CT

Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of adulteration. Their reliability makes them a preferred choice for entities seeking unquestionable results. By reducing tampering possibilities, hair tests ensure accurate readings of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in West Mystic, CT

Our network of testing centers across West Mystic, CT, and nationwide ensures hassle-free access to testing services. We guarantee swift and straightforward service for all testing needs, wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in West Mystic, CT

In West Mystic, we offer a simple and discreet testing process. From ordering to receiving results, client privacy is paramount, ensuring ease and peace of mind throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Mystic, CT

Our competitive pricing and quick result delivery make us the go-to choice in West Mystic, CT. We provide outstanding value and peace of mind, catering to companies of all sizes and needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in West Mystic, CT

Hair follicle drug tests in West Mystic offer unparalleled accuracy and speed. With the capability to detect a range of substances, these tests ensure timely results, providing precise data on substance use. The efficiency of the process enhances decision-making for employers and authorities, creating a drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Mystic, CT

Employers gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing, as it ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks and boosts overall safety in the workspace.

Drug Testing Near West Mystic, CT

North Stonington, CT

Pawcatuck, CT

Central Waterford, CT

Mashantucket, CT

Gales Ferry, CT

New London, CT

Groton, CT

Conning Towers-Nautilus Park, CT

Stonington, CT

Long Hill, CT

Groton Long Point, CT

Old Mystic, CT

Poquonock Bridge, CT

Noank, CT

Mystic, CT

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews