Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Howe, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. A long-term record of alcohol and drugs is retained in hair by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the extending hair shaft. When extracted near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (around the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When we refer to head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in the lab procedure of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into a laboratory’s workflow. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any further data input not contained in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial swift check for drug abuse. Although Screening presents a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court acceptance. Presumptively positive Screening results require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical usage data: It reveals a drug usage pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variation: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be influenced by factors such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Howe, IN, hair follicle testing demonstrates distinct advantages over traditional urine screening. Its superior accuracy and reliability set it apart, providing a more impressive detection of substances.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Howe, IN, offers insights into drug use spanning up to 90 days, granting employers a detailed picture of an individual's substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing significantly mitigates the chances of manipulation in Howe, IN. This method delivers unquestionable and dependable results due to its tamper-resistant nature.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers, including locations in Howe, IN, ensures convenient and hassle-free access to drug testing services nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Howe, IN, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use throughout the testing phases.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and speedy results, our hair follicle testing services in Howe, IN, provide great value for businesses of any size, ensuring peace of mind with affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapid outcomes offered by hair follicle testing in Howe, IN are unmatched. This method ensures reliable detection of substance use, boasting an impressive level of accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Howe, IN, hair follicle testing offers assurance of adhering to drug-free workplace guidelines, minimizing legal complications, and promoting a safer 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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