Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hartsville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair screening is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of developing hair strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG assays, supplementary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be substituted. By 'head hair,' we specifically mean scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential phases in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's database. This process involves verifying that the specimen was appropriately sealed and transported, creating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data input not captured by an electronic custody documentation system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate subsequent verification.

For samples that are presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques to execute.

The Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can ascertain drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection window.
• Hard to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Historical tracking: It provides an insight into the pattern of drug use over an extended period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test 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 Hartsville, IN lies in their superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine screens, hair tests reveal a wider range of substances over an expanded period, ensuring more trustworthy outcomes.

The reliability of hair testing surpasses traditional methods, making it the choice of many. Employers recognize its benefits, such as inability to cheat, transforming drug testing norms with higher credibility.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hartsville, IN offered by hair follicle testing, provides a panoramic view of drug use history. Unlike alternatives, hair tests extend up to 90 days, an ideal choice for thorough employee screening.

Employers benefit from the extended review period, gaining insight into past substance use without being restricted to short-term occurrences. This method is invaluable for assessing candidate reliability, enhancing trust.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hartsville, IN, ensure that hair follicle tests are secure. This unmatched integrity is why businesses favor them over urine tests. It's challenging to fake or adulterate samples, maintaining result authenticity.

Such resistance to tampering effectively prevents unethical practices, rendering hair tests nearly cheat-proof. The reliability factors promote confidence in this testing approach, crucial for maintaining standard workplace protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations, including local choices in Hartsville, IN, obtaining hair follicle testing is both quick and convenient. Our centers provide hassle-free access to necessary services across the country.

These strategic locations enable seamless testing operations, eliminating geographic barriers for businesses and individuals alike. The ease of access ensures that drug testing remains a no-fuss process for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

A Simple, Confidential Process is integral in Hartsville, IN, for conducting hair follicle tests. Users benefit from an organized procedure, maintaining both privacy and efficiency from test ordering to result receipt.

Participants can operate securely, safeguarding sensitive information throughout. This assurance provides a worry-free experience, promoting user confidence in the confidentiality of test operations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hartsville, IN, sets our hair follicle testing apart. Our competitive pricing serves companies of all sizes, without compromising the prompt delivery of reliable results.

The streamlined process supports businesses in controlling costs while achieving accurate, rapid outcomes, imperative for maintaining workforce efficiency without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hartsville, IN, can be achieved with hair follicle testing. Precision in detection is paramount for professionals, and this method ensures high accuracy by identifying substance use effectively.

Despite the rapid collection process, the reliability of hair tests makes them superior, providing quick results that build trust in the workplace. The accuracy they offer is unmatched, presenting a clear depiction of substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing ensures Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hartsville, IN. It aligns with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating risks involved with non-compliance and ensuring legal adherence.

Employers can rest assured with hair test results due to their credibility and straightforwardness, fostering a culture of safety and diligence. They reinforce regulatory standards, minimizing potential legal and safety concerns.

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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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