Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fremont, IN

What it is, How it works

Seen as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage, hair testing has gained recognition. The fibers of a growing hair strand enclose biomarkers, offering a lengthy history of alcohol and other drugs. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 3-month detection window for substances. Hair is straightforward to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferable amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers only to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for handling a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a specimen in a laboratory setting. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any manual data entry that isn't provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that screen presumptively positive require follow-up confirmation.

If presumptive positivity is detected during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly smaller concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging technique.

Confirming any positive screenings is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples that preliminarily screen positive undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test proves challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Displays usage history: Hair testing provides a timeline of drug use over an extended period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences in hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fremont, IN
Hair testing offers a significant advantage over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities and reliability. Unlike urine tests that detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a longer history, up to 90 days, ensuring thorough screening. This method reduces false positives and is less prone to tampering, providing a more dependable result.

• Extended detection period of up to 90 days.
• Less susceptible to tampering or false results.
• More reliable for long-term substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fremont, IN
One of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, which can reveal drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term view offers employers and authorities a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance history, making it an invaluable tool for those in Fremont, IN. This extended period allows for more informed decision-making in hiring and compliance.

• Comprehensive detection window of up to 90 days.
• Provides in-depth insights into substance use history.
• Ensures informed decisions by employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fremont, IN
Hair follicle tests offer a robust solution against sample adulteration. This method reduces the risk of tampering, ensuring that results are genuine and trustworthy. In Fremont, IN, stakeholders can rely on these tests for their integrity, contributing to credible and unquestionable outcomes.

• Reduces risks of sample tampering significantly.
• Ensures authenticity of results.
• Provides peace of mind with reliable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fremont, IN
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing centers nationwide, including Fremont, IN. This widespread network ensures that clients can quickly and easily access testing services without hassle. Our local and national coverage provides flexibility and convenience for timely testing, supporting quick and effective service.

• Extensive availability with nationwide centers.
• Quick, hassle-free access to services.
• Supports timely and efficient testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fremont, IN
Our process in Fremont, IN, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize ease of use and discretion, addressing any concerns about privacy. This simple process guarantees a stress-free experience for all clients.

• Easy, straightforward steps for testing.
• Ensures privacy and confidentiality throughout.
• Stress-free experience for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fremont, IN
Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing alongside quick turnaround times. Our services in Fremont, IN, provide exceptional value, catering to companies of all sizes. We ensure that clients receive fast and reliable results without compromising on affordability, delivering peace of mind and good value.

• Competitive pricing for cost-effectiveness.
• Fast turnaround ensuring quick results.
• High value for companies of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fremont, IN
In Fremont, IN, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and precision. It offers quick turnaround times combined with high accuracy, making it an optimal choice for detecting substance use. This method ensures that results are reliable and consistent, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

• Immediate results with minimal waiting.
• Precise detection of substance use history.
• Trusted by various professionals for accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fremont, IN
For employers in Fremont, IN, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It supports legal safety and mitigates risks associated with drug use, enhancing overall workplace safety. By adopting this method, companies can enjoy peace of mind and reduce liability risks, fostering a safer work environment.

• Ensures adherence to workplace drug policies.
• Reduces legal and safety risks effectively.
• Enhances overall workplace security.

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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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