Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Germantown, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair fibers capture biomarkers throughout their growth, maintaining a detailed record of substance use. Closer to the scalp, hair samples can reveal approximately a 3-month usage history for alcohol and other substances. Hair sample collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

By taking a 1.5-inch section from about 200 hair strands nearest the scalp, roughly equating to a #2 pencil's width, one can obtain 100mg of hair, suitable for comprehensive testing. To test for EtG, additional substances, or panels beyond 10, 150mg of hair is preferred. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, an identical volume of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair, not body hair, which includes types like facial or axillary hair.

Overview of the Process

The lab procedure for processing drug test results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample undergoes primary processing into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and transport, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for negating drug usage in most samples, positive screening results require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positives need secondary validation.

When a sample presents as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is collected from the specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

The final positive screening result is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. Each step from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, longer than the detection window of urine tests.
• Fraud Preventive: The difficulty in falsifying hair drug tests enhances result accuracy.
• Chronological data: It illustrates a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Lacks recent usage detection: It usually requires 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other types of drug testing.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences may impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests," these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In East Germantown, IN, hair follicle testing proves superior to conventional urine testing methods. With its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability, it consistently surpasses the traditional approach.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing in East Germantown provides a more comprehensive reflection of substance use history. The ability to detect longer periods offers unmatched insights into an individual's past substance interactions.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in East Germantown, IN, appreciate the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. This method successfully identifies drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days.

Providing a broader picture of substance history, hair follicle testing helps East Germantown employers make informed decisions about applicants and employees, ensuring a safe and compliant workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In East Germantown, IN, hair follicle tests are renowned for their resistance to tampering. This method minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, guaranteeing trustworthy results for both employers and individuals.

The robust integrity of hair follicle testing ensures that East Germantown residents receive clear and unquestionable results, making it a highly dependable testing option.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents of East Germantown, IN, benefit from conveniently located testing centers both locally and nationwide. With Accredited Drug Testing, accessing necessary testing services is streamlined and stress-free.

Our East Germantown facilities ensure efficient and prompt service, allowing individuals to easily obtain tests without unnecessary delays or difficulties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing provides a straightforward and confidential process for residents of East Germantown, IN. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use.

For East Germantown's population, the transparent procedure ensures that individuals can confidently access necessary testing, addressing any privacy concerns comprehensively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

East Germantown, IN, residents benefit from affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times offered by Accredited Drug Testing. Our competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value for businesses.

By providing fast and reliable results, East Germantown companies of all sizes can rest assured that they are receiving the best service possible without compromising on quality or budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in East Germantown, IN, offer fast, accurate, and efficient results, making them a preferred choice for those needing precise detection of substance use. The method is not only quick but also boasts a high accuracy rate, ensuring reliable outcomes.

For residents and professionals in East Germantown, the hair follicle approach provides confidence in the results. Its ability to detect various substances with heightened precision makes it an invaluable tool for diverse testing requirements.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in East Germantown, IN, hair follicle testing is a cornerstone of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety.

Adopting hair testing ensures that East Germantown employers not only comply with regulations but also cultivate a healthier and more secure working environment for all employees.

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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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