Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brookston, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Strands of hair offer an extended record of alcohol and drug intake by containing biomarkers within the hair fiber strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair can indicate a roughly 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug presence. The collection of hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample comprises a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from the scalp, providing 100mg of hair for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond ten, a 150mg sample is advisable. Consider measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a corresponding amount of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry that is not automatically captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. While Screening is a budget-friendly method of excluding drug use in numerous samples, a positive result must be validated for legal acceptability. Samples shown to have drugs upon Screening need further confirmation.

When a sample indicates a positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at a lower concentration from hair in this phase, making hair drug assessment a challenge compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid).

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) is used to finalize testing, ensuring precise and accurate results for any positive screenings. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples receive a washing as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes examination by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, while urine tests have shorter detection windows.
• Challenges in tampering: Manipulating hair test results is considerably harder, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: The tests reveal a pattern of substance use over time, not just current use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair in about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth affect drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brookston, IN
In contrast to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability. This advanced method excels in detecting prolonged substance use, making it a valuable tool for employers who prioritize long-term drug use history over short-lived detection windows, thus ensuring a safer and more compliant workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Brookston, IN
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its ability to uncover drug use dating back up to 90 days. This extensive detection period provides employers with a holistic view of an individual's substance use, offering insights that are unattainable with standard tests, and aiding in the evaluation of long-term behavior patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brookston, IN
Hair follicle tests are specifically designed to minimize the risk of tampering. Compared to other methods, they offer a robust defense against sample adulteration, providing reliable results that stand up to scrutiny. This resistance to manipulation is key for maintaining integrity in testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brookston, IN
We offer the advantage of nationwide accessibility with numerous testing centers, including local options in Brookston. This network ensures that testing remains an uncomplicated and accessible process for everyone, removing the hassle associated with the logistics of drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Brookston, IN
Ordering, administering, and retrieving hair follicle drug test results is straightforward and secure. This process addresses privacy concerns effectively, providing users peace of mind and emphasizing user-friendliness, making it a stress-free choice for both individuals and organizations alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brookston, IN
Our pricing is competitive, making hair follicle testing an economically viable option for companies of every size. Coupled with rapid turnaround times, our services deliver excellent value and assure quick results, ensuring businesses operate efficiently and cost-effectively without sacrificing quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brookston, IN
Hair follicle drug tests provide unmatched precision in substance detection. Their swiftness and reliability make them a preferred choice among employers concerned with maintaining a drug-free environment. The high accuracy means results that can be trusted, reducing the chances of inaccurate readings that could impact staffing decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brookston, IN
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. It minimizes legal exposure and enhances overall safety in the workplace environment. Employers can rest assured with hair tests, knowing they meet compliance requirements while protecting their workforce and reputation.

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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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