Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colfax, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance use involving drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, comparatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A segment of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 strands of hair (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically speaking of scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps in processing drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample’s initial processing into the lab’s system. This comprises verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial fast assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally viable. Samples with presumptive positives during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to undertake.

Positive screening outcomes are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and receives accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Harder to deceive: It's very challenging to outsmart a hair drug test, making the results more precise.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While colloquially called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Colfax, IN
When compared to traditional urine testing methods, hair follicle testing in Colfax stands out for its superior detection capabilities. The primary benefits include a longer detection window and increased accuracy, making them a more reliable choice for substance detection. As technology advances, hair testing continues to be a preferred method for comprehensive substance use analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Colfax, IN
Hair follicle testing shines in its ability to detect drug use over a significantly longer timeframe, typically up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides employers in Colfax a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, allowing for informed decision-making regarding employment suitability and workplace safety efforts.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Colfax, IN
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Colfax is its resilience against tampering. The method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, delivering reliable and unquestionable results. In situations demanding certainty and integrity of outcomes, this testing method is unrivaled in ensuring authenticity and accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Colfax, IN
The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers ensures that individuals in Colfax have accessible options for drug testing. Quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services facilitate seamless processes, whether needing testing locally or across the nation. Our extended network supports timely and effective service availability.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Colfax, IN
Our process for hair follicle testing in Colfax is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. From ordering a test to receiving results, our streamlined approach ensures ease of use, safeguarding privacy all throughout. Individuals and employers alike appreciate the straightforward, discretely managed testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Colfax, IN
Accredited Drug Testing is committed to offering competitive pricing structures with fast turnaround times in Colfax. These services provide excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes can access quality drug testing solutions efficiently and affordably, hence reinforcing the practicality and effectiveness of our offerings.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Colfax, IN
Hair follicle drug tests in Colfax offer unmatched precision and speed in identifying substance use. Their high levels of accuracy ensure that individuals who have used drugs are accurately detected, providing a dependable approach for various stakeholders. This swift method ensures results are not only fast but reliable, granting peace of mind for both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Colfax, IN
Using hair follicle testing enables employers in Colfax to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies and regulations. This approach lowers legal risks and promotes a safer working environment. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they’re upholding standards that protect their business interests and employee well-being.

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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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