Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jamestown, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches of hair, comprising about 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for assessment and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s network. This phase ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry not completed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary examination for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally acceptable. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to administer.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, thus yielding more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over an extended period, beyond just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Inability to confirm recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often costlier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Employers in Jamestown, IN, are turning towards hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy. Hair tests provide a more reliable analysis, covering longer time frames and eliminating the limitations of short detection windows, making it the preferred method for modern drug testing requirements.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Jamestown, IN, offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This comprehensive view aids employers in assessing both prospective and current employees' substance histories, delivering detailed insights beyond the scope of shorter detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Jamestown, IN, ensures reliable results free from adulteration. This method reduces fraudulent practices common in alternative tests, providing trustworthy results that maintain the integrity of the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With conveniently located testing centers both nationwide and locally in Jamestown, IN, Accredited Drug Testing ensures access to efficient and hassle-free services. This network accessibility emphasizes ease of getting the required testing done swiftly, maintaining client convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Jamestown, IN, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are streamlined for user privacy and efficiency, addressing any concerns about data security and ease of the overall procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Jamestown, IN, is committed to providing cost-effective pricing alongside fast turnaround times. This combination of affordability and quick results ensures excellent value for businesses, regardless of size, making drug testing services accessible to all.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Jamestown, IN, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with speed and precision. Known for their high accuracy levels, they deliver fast results. Detailing substance use with great accuracy ensures reliability, as these tests effectively track longer periods of drug use, setting a high benchmark for drug testing procedures.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Jamestown, IN, hair follicle testing ensures peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method significantly reduces legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, a critical aspect of maintaining a secure and productive 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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