Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brownstown, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. By sampling hair near the scalp, it can offer up to around a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hairs (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG additions and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, recommending 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. While referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the sample's initial entry into a laboratory system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, involves allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary fast check for drugs of abuse. Although screening offers a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be acceptable in a legal context. Any samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In the event a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at levels significantly lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, if required. Each step of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can portray a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days before drugs are traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brownstown, IN, hair follicle testing significantly outshines traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers superior accuracy in drug detection, due to its ability to identify substances over a longer span. Whereas urine tests provide limited detection, hair follicle analysis assures higher reliability.

Compared to urine, hair follicle tests offer a more comprehensive evaluation of substance use. Employers choosing hair testing over urine testing experience increased accuracy and trust in results, thanks to its sophisticated detection methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Brownstown, IN, presents a compelling advantage with its extended detection window. Capable of tracing drug use for up to 90 days, it allows employers a decodifying overview of an applicant or employee's history. The extensive range facilitates understanding ongoing patterns instead of recent episode-based use.

This long-term insight is invaluable for employers and organizations in making informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a significant benefit in Brownstown, IN. This method drastically reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, offering reliable and unquestionable results. Hair tests are collected under strict supervision, eliminating common cheating methods associated with urine tests.

Employers can depend on the hair testing process to provide accurate and genuine assessments, enhancing the integrity of drug testing programs effectively.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing access is assured in Brownstown, IN, with our nationwide centers from Accredited Drug Testing. Whether local or state-wide, the ease of finding a nearby facility ensures a quick and uncomplicated experience. Customers appreciate the hassle-free nature and timeliness of our services.

The extensive network supports a seamless process, accommodating both individual clients and corporate requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential process for hair follicle drug testing in Brownstown, IN. The streamlined steps, from ordering the test to receiving results, prioritize customer privacy and ease of use. Accredited Drug Testing values the non-intrusive yet effective method of collection.

Ensuring confidentiality and simplicity allows clients to engage with our services without concerns over the security of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing in Brownstown, IN. Our affordable structures serve businesses of all sizes, providing excellent value. Speedy result delivery further aids organizations in making timely decisions aligned with best practices.

This approach underscores our commitment to delivering excellence at a cost-effective rate, supporting clients comprehensively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Brownstown, IN, promise fast and accurate results. The method stands out due to its high precision in detecting substances, ensuring reliability and efficiency. Hair tests minimize the window for errors, providing key insights promptly.

The test's accuracy stands unmatched, as hair follicle examinations are equipped to deliver precise reports swiftly. Utilizing this method ensures confidence in the validity of results obtained, highlighting its trustworthiness and dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brownstown, IN, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, substantially lowering legal risks. Such testing practices not only bolster compliance but also enhance safety and productivity by maintaining a substance-free environment.

Organizations benefit from integrating this testing, securing both their legal standing and promoting a health-conscious workplace culture.

Drug Testing Near Brownstown, IN

New Salem, IN

Albion, IN

Heltonville, IN

Azalia, IN

Hayden, IN

Austin, IN

Jonesville, IN

Little York, IN

Sparksville, IN

Crothersville, IN

Kurtz, IN

Seymour, IN

Freetown, IN

Medora, IN

Vallonia, 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