Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Advance, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal approximately a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to fake: It's notably difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Delivers historical information: It can afford a trend of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though termed as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Advance, IN
The advantages of hair testing over traditional urine tests lie in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can detect long-term substance use, providing a more comprehensive view than the limited window offered by urine tests. This increased detection potential makes it an ideal choice for employers seeking to enforce strict drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Advance, IN
Hair follicle testing shines with its ability to track drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This extensive detection window is crucial for employers, giving a detailed substance history of applicants or employees. Such long-term insight ensures a more robust screening process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Advance, IN
Hair follicle testing drastically reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and undeniable. It uses an observation-based collection method which makes it challenging for individuals to tamper with the sample, thus ensuring the integrity of the test.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Advance, IN
Our broad network of testing centers across the nation ensures that accessing testing services is quick and hassle-free. Even in Advance, IN, local testing facilities provide convenience, making sure there's always a center nearby to meet your needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Advance, IN
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving test results is straightforward and private. Each step is designed to ensure the confidentiality of all parties involved. This focus on privacy addresses common concerns and simplifies the overall experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Advance, IN
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times across all services deliver excellent value to companies of all sizes. This affordability, coupled with efficiency, makes our hair testing solutions an attractive option for many businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Advance, IN
Hair follicle drug tests provide a swift and precise means of detecting substance use, offering high accuracy. The method ensures that results are returned efficiently without compromising reliability. This accuracy not only helps in maintaining a drug-free environment but also aids in making informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Advance, IN
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly lowering legal risks. The method enhances workplace safety and satisfies regulatory requirements, offering peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Advance, IN

Brownsburg, IN

Elizaville, IN

Whitestown, IN

Roachdale, IN

Colfax, IN

Crawfordsville, IN

Pittsboro, IN

Darlington, IN

Ladoga, IN

Ulen, IN

Thorntown, IN

Lebanon, IN

Lizton, IN

New Ross, IN

Jamestown, IN

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