Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bethany, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of about 200 hair strands, 1.5 inches long (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, the same quantity of body hair may be used. When speaking of head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to any other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with initially entering a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening conducts an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Screening offers a cost-effective approach to ruling out drug use on most samples, but a positive screen needs confirmation for court validity. Any Screening-positive samples require further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than with other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any screen-positive result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection window.
• High integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Historical pattern: It can reveal a timeline of drug use over a period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally come with a higher cost compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers a superior alternative to urine tests, especially in Bethany, IN. Hair tests not only demonstrate greater detection accuracy but also provide more reliable results. Traditional urine tests fall short in identifying drug use after short periods, often leading to missed detections.

Advantages of hair testing include less reliance on short-term presence of drugs in the system, ensuring that a far broader spectrum of substance use history can be unveiled. In contrast, urine tests may miss long-term use patterns, making them a less viable option for thorough screening initiatives.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing boasts a remarkable ability to detect drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days. For employers in Bethany, IN, this means gaining a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, rather than merely capturing recent intake.

This extended detection window is crucial for employers focused on maintaining long-term, drug-free workplaces. Unlike urine testing, which primarily highlights short-term use, hair testing provides a full spectrum picture, invaluable for rigorous screening processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing effectively minimizes the risk of sample tampering, providing dependable results in Bethany, IN. Unlike urine tests, which can be adulterated, hair tests offer a secure method that significantly reduces manipulation opportunities.

The technique involves a straightforward collection process, substantially reducing the possibility of sample interference. This reliability makes hair testing a preferred choice for employers seeking unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers including local sites in Bethany, IN, we offer unmatched convenience. Accessing our drug testing services is a straightforward, hassle-free process, designed to accommodate even the most demanding schedules.

By facilitating simplicity in testing, both individuals and companies can efficiently manage their testing needs. Our available locations streamline the logistical aspects of testing, guaranteeing prompt and effective service delivery across geographical regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process for ordering and receiving hair testing results in Bethany, IN is simple and confidential. We address privacy concerns with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring your data stays protected.

Clients can expect an easy-to-follow procedure from test initiation to delivery of results. Our professional approach ensures peace of mind for clients, safeguarding sensitive information while offering a minimal-stress experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and rapid result turnaround, we provide substantial value for companies in Bethany, IN. Our pricing structures are competitive, ensuring businesses of all sizes can access top-tier testing services without breaking the budget.

Quick processing times further underscore our commitment to excellence, providing clients with the certainty that testing will not disrupt their operations. It's a balance of cost-effectiveness and efficiency that sets us apart.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable results, hair follicle drug tests conducted in Bethany, IN stand out. The testing process is efficient, with rapid result turnaround times, and maintains high accuracy levels in detecting substance use over extended periods.

Once collected, hair samples undergo rigorous analysis, designed to pinpoint evidence of drug use with remarkable precision. This allows employers to make informed decisions with confidence based on trustworthy data, critical for maintaining drug-free work environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Bethany, IN. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and increased workplace safety, enhancing overall peace of mind.

The longer detection window of hair tests aids in consistent compliance engagements, supporting stringent workplace policies. This proactive approach to employee well-being and company integrity underpins a safer and more productive working 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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