Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fairbanks, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term indicators of these substances by holding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers a detection range of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We recommend utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When using the term head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal phases in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional information not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in many samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples presumed positive during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

If a sample is likely positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter range.
• Hard to manipulate: It is exceptionally challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It can demonstrate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually inspects the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Fairbanks, IN, outshines traditional urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which can only uncover recent substance use, hair tests reveal a comprehensive history of consumption. The reliability of results from hair testing makes it a preferred choice for employers seeking thorough substance screening for reliable decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Fairbanks, IN, is a crucial advantage. It can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with a detailed view of an individual’s substance history. This prolonged detection period is invaluable for assessing long-term patterns, offering peace of mind to employers concerned about ongoing substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Fairbanks, IN, significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. This testing method renders it nearly impossible for individuals to alter or adulterate the samples, ensuring the integrity of the results. The tamper-resistant nature of hair testing provides indisputable evidence of substance use, reinforcing trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide and local testing facilities in Fairbanks, IN, ensure convenient and accessible hair follicle testing services. With numerous locations available, individuals and businesses benefit from quick and hassle-free testing processes. This widespread availability guarantees that testing needs are met efficiently, without disrupting daily activities.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for obtaining hair follicle tests in Fairbanks, IN, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking and receiving results, every step is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind. This ease of use addresses concerns regarding confidentiality, allowing clients to confidently access accurate testing results without worry.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Fairbanks, IN, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable testing solutions that deliver fast results, ensuring exceptional value. This cost-effective approach supports organizations in efficiently managing their drug testing programs without compromising on quality or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fairbanks, IN, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, reliable, and accurate results. With high precision in detecting a wide range of substances, this method ensures that any substance use is swiftly identified. Employers appreciate how quickly results are delivered, allowing them to make informed decisions without delay, reinforcing their confidence in the accuracy of this testing method.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fairbanks, IN, gain peace of mind from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances overall safety by providing reliable results. It supports employers in maintaining a secure environment, reassuring them that their workforce adheres to the highest standards of safety and responsibility.

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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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