Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Laketon, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extended overview of drug and alcohol intake by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer around a 3-month detection window for substances. It's straightforward to collect, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This covers ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any extra data input not included via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified to be valid in court. Samples provisionally positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Every positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast with urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus ensuring more accurate results.
• Supplies historical data: It offers a timeline of drug use over a longer span, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variances: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Laketon, IN
Hair follicle testing offers enhanced detection capabilities compared to urine tests, demonstrating superior accuracy in identifying substance use over an extended period. Where urine tests might miss prolonged use, hair tests deliver a comprehensive picture, making them the preferred choice for organizations seeking reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Laketon, IN
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests, up to 90 days, provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history, an advantage that urine tests lack. This capability is invaluable for employers seeking a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's past drug use, ensuring informed hiring and management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Laketon, IN
Hair follicle testing significantly decreases the risk of sample tampering, offering an observed collection process that makes it almost impossible to alter the results. This reliability ensures that the test outcomes remain uncompromised and trustworthy, a necessity for any organization relying on accurate drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Laketon, IN
Our extensive network of nationwide and local testing centers offers convenience and accessibility for individuals and organizations alike. This ensures quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services, making it easy to maintain compliance and meet testing needs promptly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Laketon, IN
The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and respects individual privacy. The ordering, testing, and result delivery phases are streamlined to prioritize confidentiality, addressing any concerns about privacy while maintaining ease of use, which is essential for employers and individuals alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Laketon, IN
Our competitive pricing structures coupled with fast turnaround times provide excellent value for companies of all sizes. These efficiencies ensure that businesses receive critical testing information quickly and at an affordable rate, supporting their operational needs without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Laketon, IN
Hair follicle drug testing delivers highly accurate and quick results, allowing organizations to make prompt and informed decisions. This method's capacity to detect a wide range of substances with precision ensures that employers receive reliable information regarding an individual's substance use. The speed and dependability of hair tests offer a significant advantage over other testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Laketon, IN
Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers comply with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing overall safety. It ensures that organizations maintain a stringent and reliable approach to substance testing, allowing them to operate with confidence and ensuring peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Laketon, IN

Macy, IN

Denver, IN

Andrews, IN

Burket, IN

South Whitley, IN

New Market, IN

Bippus, IN

Claypool, IN

Akron, IN

Lagro, IN

Wabash, IN

Silver Lake, IN

Roann, IN

Urbana, IN

Servia, IN

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews