Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fortville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by locking biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't present, a comparably sized portion of body hair can be collected. In reference to head hair, this pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a drug test result at a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. Steps include ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a rapid preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Even though Screening is a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for validity in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a far lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptive positive are cleansed before Confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical data: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fortville, IN, hair follicle testing has a significant edge over urine drug tests. While traditional urine tests detect recent drug use, hair testing goes beyond, offering enhanced accuracy over a longer period. This attribute ensures superior detection, providing a reliable measure that covers a comprehensive timeline, often preferred by employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers an overarching view of an individual's substance use history in Fortville, IN. Employers favor this method to make well-informed decisions by reviewing a broad timeline of potential drug use, ensuring that they maintain a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Fortville, IN, hair follicle testing is distinguished by its resistance to tampering. The nature of this test makes it nearly impossible to alter results, ensuring authenticity and trust. As it significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, hair testing stands out as a reliable means for detecting drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is our hallmark, with numerous testing locations nationwide, including Fortville, IN. Our network of centers provides easy and accessible services, ensuring that undergoing a hair follicle test is a seamless and quick process, ultimately enhancing client experiences with minimal hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of taking a hair follicle test in Fortville, IN is crafted for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving the results, privacy is guaranteed. The straightforward procedure ensures that clients experience a stress-free journey, maintaining the utmost care for their private information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Fortville, IN, competitive pricing paired with quick result turnaround defines our hair follicle testing services. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable rates, augmenting value and confidence. Our terms are designed to provide peace of mind by ensuring quality without compromising on cost-efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fortville, IN, hair follicle drug testing is swiftly producing precise results. These tests are renowned for their superior detection capabilities. The speed at which results are returned ensures that clients receive quick and accurate assessments of drug use, making them a highly reliable choice for both individuals and organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing methods assures employers in Fortville, IN of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this reliable testing option, businesses minimize legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, leading to calmness and a more secure 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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