Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Losantville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly considered a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. By capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers during growth, hair offers a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol history. When clipped near the scalp, hair samples allow for a detection period of around 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For additional tests like EtG or those over 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The process in a laboratory for processing drug test results involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is entered into the lab’s system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not submitted via an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial rapid analysis for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for the majority of samples, legal proceedings necessitate confirmation of any positive result. Any samples testing positive in Screening require follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is re-prepared for Extraction. This step extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives are washed before confirmation when necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeline: Hair tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Testing integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is substantially more difficult, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Patterns of use: It reveals a timeline of drug usage rather than just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Recent usage detection: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Losantville, IN
The comparison between hair follicle and urine tests showcases clear advantages for the former. Hair testing offers a longer detection period, pinpointing drug use that might be missed by traditional methods. Its precision is unmatched, providing thorough insights into an individual's substance habits, making it ideal for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Losantville, IN
Employers benefit greatly from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. This method detects drug use up to 90 days ago, offering a broad overview of an individual’s drug history. It equips employers with comprehensive information, helping them make informed decisions regarding recruitment and employee management.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Losantville, IN
Hair follicle testing significantly decreases the probability of sample manipulation. Its robust procedure provides reliable, trustworthy results, minimizing doubts over the authenticity of the collected samples. This testing method is essential for maintaining accuracy in drug use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Losantville, IN
Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous locations across the country, including Losantville, IN. Accessing our services is straightforward, ensuring less hassle for those in need of testing. Local and nationwide options provide flexibility and convenience, all geared towards delivering exceptional service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Losantville, IN
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle drug tests is straightforward and designed with privacy in mind. We respect your confidentiality, offering a seamless, stress-free testing experience. Clients can remain assured of their privacy throughout the testing procedure, ensuring discreet results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Losantville, IN
Our pricing structure is competitive, offering excellent value for businesses of any size. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services provide both cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Companies can thus make swift, informed decisions without compromising on financial constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Losantville, IN
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy. They efficiently identify substance use with reliable precision. The test's quick processing ensures timely results, making it an ideal choice for companies seeking dependable data on prospective or current employees.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Losantville, IN
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures that employers adhere to drug-free policies in the workplace. This approach mitigates legal risks associated with drug use and heightens safety within the work environment. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they're fully compliant with these standards.

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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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