Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burnett, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as an influential method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When harvested near the scalp, hair provides roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four key steps are involved in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes validating that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation for Extraction. At this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, leading to more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, unlike tests that show only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Burnett, IN, hair follicle testing is more advantageous than traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability over longer periods than urine tests.
Advantages:

• Extended detection period
• Less tampering risk

• Shorter detection window
• Higher risk of adulteration

Employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals find hair follicle testing to be a more effective choice in Burnett, IN, due to its enhanced detection capabilities.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests offer a much longer detection window, spanning up to 90 days. In Burnett, IN, employers utilize this extensive range to gain insights into a person's substance use history, reflecting a more comprehensive assessment.
Extended Detection: Hair follicle testing's ability to detect usage over three months is invaluable for employers seeking thorough evaluations.

• Comprehensive assessment tool

Providing an overview of long-term substance use, this testing method empowers employers in Burnett, IN, with crucial information for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Burnett, IN, hair follicle testing significantly decreases the potential for sample tampering. This test method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, enhancing trust in its findings.
Benefits of Tamper-Resistance:

• Enhanced reliability
• Minimal risk of adulteration

Unquestionable Results:Employers and legal professionals in Burnett, IN, trust hair testing for its solid, tamper-proof results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Burnett, IN, our nationwide and local testing centers provide convenient access to drug testing services, making the process quick and hassle-free.
Convenience:

• Accessible locations
• Streamlined procedure

Quick and Easy Access:The convenience of multiple locations across Burnett, IN, facilitates a smooth testing experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Burnett, IN, offers a simple and confidential process, making it easy to order, complete, and receive results with assurance of privacy.
Process Highlights:

• Ease of use
• Confidentiality guaranteed

Confidentiality:Ensuring the discretion of participants, our test processes in Burnett, IN, are designed with security and privacy at the forefront.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Burnett, IN, deliver excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Affordability:

• Cost-effective options
• Flexible pricing

Fast Turnaround:Rapid processing times in Burnett, IN, guarantee prompt results, reinforcing peace of mind and efficiency for all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle testing in Burnett, IN, are unmatched, offering fast, accurate drug detection results. Unlike other methods, hair tests deliver high accuracy and swift results, ensuring substance use is identified effectively.
High Accuracy: Hair follicle tests provide superior accuracy, making them a reliable option for detecting drug use.

Speedy Results: With quick processing times, businesses and individuals in Burnett, IN, can rely on hair tests for rapid results, ensuring timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Burnett, IN, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety.
Compliance Benefits:

• Ensures safety
• Mitigates legal risk

Peace of Mind:Employers in Burnett, IN, benefit from knowing their drug-free policies are supported by the accurate and reliable results of hair follicle testing.

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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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