Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Homestead, IN

What it is, How it works

The method of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of its strands as it grows, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can disclose substance intake up to a 3-month period for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, results in 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest measuring the hair sample with a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar amount of body hair can be used as a substitute. When the term head hair is utilized, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

Processing a drug test result through a laboratory entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary handling of the sample within a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any remaining data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid test for substances. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug usage across most samples, a positive screen requires verification for court admissibility. Samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a sample is potentially positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. During this phase, substances are retrieved from hair at concentrations much diminished compared to alternative practices (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive outcome from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples that show presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory processing, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug screenings can identify drug use extending to 90 days, unlike urine screenings that have a shorter window.
• Cheat-proof difficulty: Hair drug screenings are notably hard to deceive, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Delivers usage history: It provides an overview of drug consumption patterns over time, not solely recent use.

Challenges:

• Lacks detection of recent use: Roughly 5-7 days are necessary for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings are usually more costly than alternative testing strategies.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and personal hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: The test, frequently mistaken as "hair follicle tests," actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Homestead, IN, is due to the hair test's superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer a longer detection window compared to traditional urine tests, capturing up to 90 days of drug use history. This allows for more comprehensive screening, making it the preferred choice for those seeking thorough and reliable results. Additionally, the observed collection process reduces the chance of inaccurate findings.

Extended Detection Window

In Homestead, IN, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window that surpasses other methods. Capable of revealing drug use over a 90-day period, this form of testing grants employers an extensive insight into an individual's substance use history. Employers benefit tremendously by obtaining a more detailed overview, aiding in making informed decisions about current or potential employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Homestead, IN, significantly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration. This method ensures that collected samples remain uncontaminated, resulting in dependable and trustworthy results. Such security is essential for employers and organizations aiming to maintain integrity in their testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including locally in Homestead, IN, Accredited Drug Testing makes drug testing accessible and hassle-free. Our widespread network of facilities ensures that both organizations and individuals can quickly access testing services without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering and conducting hair follicle tests in Homestead, IN is both simple and confidential. Our streamlined system respects privacy, making the taking and receipt of results a secure and straightforward experience. Addressing privacy concerns is paramount, and our procedures ensure user confidence and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Homestead, IN, offers great value to companies of all sizes. Our pricing structures are competitive, ensuring that organizations receive top-notch services without breaking the bank. Fast result delivery further enhances client satisfaction and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Homestead, IN, hair follicle drug testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests excel in their ability to detect a wide array of substances within a short time frame. The precision of such tests is unmatched, providing high accuracy and confidence in identifying substance use. Turnaround time is swift, ensuring that individuals and organizations receive timely information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By utilizing hair follicle testing in Homestead, IN, employers gain compliance and peace of mind. Adhering to drug-free workplace policies through precise testing methods decreases legal liabilities and bolsters workplace safety. The adoption of such testing reaffirms commitment to maintaining a secure and responsible 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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