Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Milford Crossroads, DE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. It offers a longitudinal view of alcohol and drug history by locking biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected close to the scalp, it can provide a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drug use. The collection process is straightforward, it's somewhat difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hairs (equivalent to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or analysis involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen's weight. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Lab processing of drug tests generally involves four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step whereby a sample is incorporated into the laboratory's system. This phase verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and concludes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for the presence of illicit drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means of excluding drug use in most samples, any positive results need confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than methods like urine or oral fluid testing, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Positive results from the Screening stage are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection window.
• Resistance to tampering: It is notably challenging to compromise a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable findings.
• Historical usage tracking: It offers a record of drug use over time, rather than just a snapshot of recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incable of detecting recent activity: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Milford Crossroads, DE, hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. Its unparalleled detection accuracy ensures that even minuscule traces of substance use are identified, providing reliability unmatched by urine tests. The comprehensive nature of hair testing gives a more complete assessment of an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

The extensive detection window of hair follicle tests in Milford Crossroads, DE, is a significant advantage. By detecting drug use over periods as long as 90 days, employers gain a better understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use patterns, providing a detailed drug history that short-term tests cannot offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Milford Crossroads, DE, hair follicle tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature. These tests greatly minimize the risk of adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and beyond dispute. The integrity of the testing process means that the outcomes are trusted and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations across the nation, including Milford Crossroads, DE, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward and hassle-free. Our nationwide centers offer quick and easy testing services, ensuring you can obtain the necessary screenings without delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Milford Crossroads, DE, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the process maintains user privacy and eases concerns over confidentiality, making it a straightforward experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Milford Crossroads, DE, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Competitive pricing structures provide excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring that all businesses can access these reliable and quick testing services without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Milford Crossroads, DE, make them the preferred choice for those seeking accurate results. These tests excel in detecting substance use with high accuracy, allowing for swift processing and rapid turnaround times, ensuring that test outcomes are both quick and reliable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Milford Crossroads, DE, benefit from the peace of mind that hair follicle testing brings. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, these tests help ensure compliance, reducing potential legal issues and fostering a safer work environment.

Drug Testing Near Milford Crossroads, DE

Yorklyn, DE

Pleasantville, DE

Christiana, DE

Hockessin, DE

Marshallton, DE

Upper Christiana, DE

Pike Creek-Central Kirkwood, DE

Ogletown, DE

Brookside, DE

North Star, DE

Pike Creek Valley, DE

Greater Newark, DE

New Castle, DE

Pike Creek, DE

Roseville Park, DE

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