Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Laconia, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers in hair fibers as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, the hair sample can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing of the sample. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types of hair (such as facial and underarm).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory assessment of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and rapid check for substance abuse. Although Screening provides an economical approach to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

In instances of presumptive positive results during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to tampering: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby increasing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: Provides insights into patterns of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Laconia, IN
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, it's clear that hair tests offer superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can detect drug use over a much longer period, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

Employers in Laconia value hair testing for its reliability. While urine tests can miss recent drug use, hair tests reveal patterns, reducing the likelihood of false negatives and serving as a robust tool for maintaining workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Laconia, IN
Hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage with its extended detection window, capturing drug use history for up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an individual's past behaviors related to substances.

By examining a longer period, hair follicle testing helps employers make informed staffing decisions, ensuring that employees embody the standards and safety protocols of their workplace. This comprehensive overview aids in fostering a reliable workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Laconia, IN
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, a common issue with other testing methods. The observed collection process ensures the integrity of the sample, providing reliable and unquestionable results.

As a tamper-resistant method, hair testing offers Laconia businesses peace of mind. The robustness of the procedure eliminates room for manipulation, safeguarding the reliability of results, which is crucial for upholding strict workplace drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Laconia, IN
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with numerous testing centers nationwide, including locations in Laconia. This network ensures easy access, providing fast and hassle-free testing services to meet diverse needs.

Whether in Laconia or beyond, our testing centers are strategically placed for your convenience. This widespread availability ensures that drug testing is both accessible and efficient, streamlining the process for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Laconia, IN
The hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use. Ordering a test, completing the process, and receiving results are designed to be straightforward.

Laconia residents can trust in the secure handling of their data. Our process respects confidentiality and simplicity, allowing individuals and employers to navigate the testing experience smoothly. This assurance helps ease any concerns about privacy and disclosure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Laconia, IN
Accredited Drug Testing is committed to providing competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our affordable rates ensure excellent value for companies of all sizes.

Businesses in Laconia can take advantage of our cost-effective pricing without compromising on quality. The rapid turnaround for results means companies can maintain productivity, making hair testing a cost-effective choice for substantiating drug-free workplace policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Laconia, IN
Hair follicle drug tests in Laconia provide fast and accurate results, crucial for efficient decision-making. These tests are renowned for their precision in detecting substance use, offering a reliable metric for determining an individual's substance use patterns.

Employers benefit from the quick turnaround times associated with hair testing, allowing them to make prompt and informed decisions. The process balances speed and accuracy, helping businesses maintain their operational continuity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Laconia, IN
By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks. Hair testing supports a safer workplace, reducing exposure to substance-related incidents.

Maintaining a drug-free environment is paramount for employers. Hair testing provides not only compliance but also peace of mind, enhancing workplace safety and operational efficiency while safeguarding both employees and the organization.

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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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