Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Domestic, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can yield a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and additional substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to mail.

A 1.5-inch segment from around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing and confirmation. 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 sample. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it's exclusively about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional manual data entries not included by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples flagged positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample indicate presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, further hair from the original sample is extracted and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a pattern of drug usage over time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent use detection: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests are often costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result Variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal hair growth rates can impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Domestic, IN, provides significant benefits over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. The hair test method is less invasive than urine testing and offers a longer detection window. It ensures that substance use can be detected over a more extended period, making it a more comprehensive option for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

One of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing in Domestic, IN, is its extended detection window, which covers up to 90 days. This feature allows employers to gain a more comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's substance use history. Unlike other tests, hair samples can reveal a longer pattern of drug habits, which aids in more informed decision-making in hiring or maintaining staff.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The security features of hair follicle tests greatly reduce the risk of sample tampering in Domestic, IN. The ability to bypass or alter the test results is significantly minimized, providing credibility and dependability in the outcomes. This method ensures that the testing process remains unadulterated and that the results obtained are unquestionable and reliable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides the convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local sites in Domestic, IN. This extensive network ensures that individuals can access testing services quickly and efficiently. Whether for employment or legal purposes, the hassle-free locations aid in timely addressing testing needs without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Domestic, IN, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed with privacy and user-friendliness in mind. Individuals can undergo testing with confidence, knowing their information is handled with discretion, and the entire process remains simple and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Domestic, IN, affordable pricing and fast turnaround times are cornerstones of Accredited Drug Testing's offerings. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that organizations of all sizes receive excellent value for their testing needs, while fast processing times provide reassurance through quick result delivery, ensuring peace of mind for decision-makers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Domestic, IN, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed. Their high accuracy in identifying substance use ensures that results are fast, reliable, and meet the stringent demands of employers and individuals needing quick answers. This method not only speeds up the testing process but also enhances trust in the outcomes delivered.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Domestic, IN, hair follicle testing provides employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method not only reduces legal risks but also plays a crucial role in enhancing workplace safety. Employers can trust that their policies are strictly enforced, contributing to a healthier work environment.

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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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