Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brooklyn, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a significant means to identify substance and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-term repository for alcohol and drug markers by embedding biomarkers within the matrix of the growing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair offers around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG and additional tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair is an acceptable alternative. 'Head hair' refers exclusively to scalp hair. 'Body hair' includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial entry of a sample into a lab's system, including verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for illicit drugs. While Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is extracted for further processing. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 compliance standards.

Hair drug testing advantages:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can uncover drug activity for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Duplicity in a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insight: It provides data on drug usage patterns over time, not just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs require 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing options.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed 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

Why Hair Testing Surpasses Traditional Urine Tests
In Brooklyn, IN, hair follicle testing proves superior due to its detection accuracy and reliability.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers a robust detection window, capturing drug use over months rather than days. This offers employers a clearer picture of an individual's substance habits.

Furthermore, the likelihood of tampering with hair tests is significantly reduced, bolstering the dependability of results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Brooklyn, IN, the ability of hair follicle testing to detect drug use over a 90-day span provides employers with a comprehensive view of substance history.

Employers seeking to understand an employee's past drug use history find this extended window critical in making informed decisions.

This in-depth insight ensures better screening for ongoing or past substance dependencies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing
In Brooklyn, IN, hair follicle tests are robust against sample tampering, offering unwavering and reliable results.

The integrity of a hair sample is harder to compromise compared to urine, making hair tests an ideal choice for trustworthy outcomes.

Employers benefit from results that are resistant to tampering, ensuring accurate reporting.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations
With numerous testing centers across the nation, Brooklyn, IN residents enjoy easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing.

Our local and national network ensures minimal disruption and ease of scheduling, meeting the needs of businesses and individuals alike.

Convenience in testing access makes the process quick and straightforward, with results delivered efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Brooklyn, IN, Accredited Drug Testing offers an easy and discreet process for hair follicle tests, safeguarding privacy every step of the way.

From test ordering to result reception, our simplified method ensures client confidentiality and user-friendly service.

Clients benefit from an uncomplicated and private experience, making the testing process smooth and stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Accredited Drug Testing in Brooklyn, IN ensures competitive pricing with quick turnaround times, offering excellent value to companies.

Our cost-effective solutions, matched with rapid result delivery, make us a preferred choice for businesses of all sizes.

Companies experience peace of mind knowing they receive timely and economical testing services, supporting efficient decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and rapid outcomes are key with hair follicle drug tests in Brooklyn, IN. These tests not only offer quick results but also ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use.

Quick and Accurate
Employers and local authorities benefit from swift and reliable readings, offering clarity and trust in the testing process.

The method excels in accurately pinpointing drug exposure timelines, providing a trustworthy gauge of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind
Using hair follicle testing in Brooklyn, IN helps employers meet drug-free workplace standards, ensuring safety and minimizing legal risks.

These tests assist employers in maintaining compliance with drug policies, enhancing overall workplace safety.

Facilitating a drug-free environment curbs potential issues and legal repercussions, offering peace of mind to employers.

Drug Testing Near Brooklyn, IN

Paragon, IN

Morgantown, IN

Plainfield, IN

Maxwell, IN

Bargersville, IN

Painted Hills, IN

Martinsville, IN

Monrovia, IN

Mooresville, IN

Bethany, 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.

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