Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Graysville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair retains a historical record of drugs and alcohol, capturing biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is optimal for assessment and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or analyses exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is suggested. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is advisable. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the sample's initial introduction into the lab's system. It entails verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drugs of concern. Though a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for court validity. Any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening are mandated to undergo further confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positives during the Screening step, extra hair is selected from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this step, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other procedures (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive are cleaned ahead of confirmation as needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can trace drug use back up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to alter: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite difficult, thus results tend to be more reliable.
• Historical usage data: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, beyond merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing usually costs more than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Graysville, IN
Hair follicle testing stands out in detecting substance use as it offers greater accuracy compared to conventional urine tests. While urine tests only highlight recent usage, hair testing provides a detailed history of up to 90 days. This longer detection window ensures that employers get a more thorough understanding, promoting a drug-free environment effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Graysville, IN
The ability of hair follicle tests to trace drug use for up to 90 days offers employers invaluable insights into an individual’s substance use patterns. This extended window is perfect for evaluating potential hires or current employees, thereby supporting sustained workplace sobriety. No other test provides such a retrospective look into a subject's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Graysville, IN
Hair follicle examinations crucially minimize chances of sample manipulation, delivering unquestionable outcomes. Their resistant nature distinguishes them from other methods vulnerable to tampering, ensuring reliable results that stakeholders can trust. These tests fortify the integrity of drug-free policies in professional environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Graysville, IN
Accredited Drug Testing takes pride in its widespread centers, including local facilities in Graysville. The ease of access ensures a streamlined process for both employers and individuals. This convenience promotes efficiency and saves time, eliminating the hassle typically associated with distant testing sites.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Graysville, IN
Our hair follicle testing procedure is designed to be straightforward and private, catering to client needs every step of the way. From ordering to receiving results, the confidentiality and simplicity of the process offer reassurance, addressing common concerns regarding privacy and ease of use. This ensures a no-fuss experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Graysville, IN
Competitive pricing and quick results characterize our hair follicle testing services, providing businesses with tangible value. Our cost-effective solutions cater to budgets of all sizes, coupled with speedy turnarounds that benefit decision-making processes within organizations, ensuring confidence and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Graysville, IN
The precision of hair follicle drug tests is unrivaled in accurately identifying substance use. With their capability to deliver swift and reliable results, employers in Graysville gain confidence in decision-making. Hair testing's meticulous process ensures the apt detection of any substance, rendering guesswork obsolete.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Graysville, IN
Adopting hair follicle testing aids employers in complying with drug-free workplace policies and diminishing potential legal challenges. This method strengthens workplace safety and peace of mind by confirming that all policy adherences align with established guidelines. Ultimately, it supports a safer, more compliant 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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