Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mentone, IN

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair in testing is widely regarded as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use due to the capture of biomarkers within the fibers of continuously growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair presents around a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and various drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

Obtaining a sample of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or beyond 10 panel tests, a 150mg hair sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In cases of absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. When referencing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair only. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test laboratory processing entails four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial procedure of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional manual data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening is a preliminary, swift inspection for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an affordable method to preclude drug usage among most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair in a substantially dilute concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory operation, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited standards of ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Resistance to tampering: The difficulty in manipulating hair drug tests enhances accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: Provides an account of drug consumption patterns over time, not restricted to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to recognize recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", they evaluate the hair strand itself and not the follicle positioned beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mentone, IN, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests. The primary benefit is its superior detection accuracy, capturing substance use over a broader timeframe.

• Hair testing can detect drug use for up to 90 days.
• It is nearly impossible to cheat, enhancing reliability.

Contrastingly, urine tests provide a more limited detection period.

Extended Detection Window

In Mentone, IN, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window, providing insights into substance use up to 90 days prior.

• Employers gain a detailed overview of an applicant's or employee's drug use history.
• This prolonged detection period is unmatched by other testing methods.

With this comprehensive view, decisions can be driven by rich historical data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method significantly lowers the chance of sample tampering, ensuring Mentone, IN, benefits from dependable and unquestionable results.

• The observed collection process leaves no room for deceit.
• Sample integrity is preserved from collection to analysis.

These characteristics make it a premier choice for reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing facilities nationwide, including in Mentone, IN, Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience for hair follicle drug testing needs.

• Our extensive network ensures easy access to testing services.
• Local centers make the process quick and hassle-free.

This wide reach benefits both individuals and employers.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Mentone, IN, is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring user privacy.

• The ordering procedure is simple, with test results delivered discreetly.
• Concerns about privacy are addressed at every step.

With this approach, individuals can feel at ease throughout their testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Mentone, IN, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, alongside rapid turnaround times. This ensures great value for businesses.

• Our pricing structure is designed to suit organizations of all sizes.
• Quick results provide timely insights for crucial decisions.

For both affordability and fast service, we stand out in the industry.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mentone, IN, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, precise, and reliable outcomes. Their high accuracy makes them ideal for detecting various substances, offering a trustworthy method for those needing reliable results in a timely manner.

• The precision of hair testing is due to its ability to detect a wide range of substances.
• Results are processed quickly, enabling faster decision-making for employers and individuals alike.

Overall, the speed and accuracy of this testing method stand out as key advantages.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Mentone, IN, opting for hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind.

• Such tests help mitigate legal risks associated with non-compliance.
• They support a safer work environment by identifying substance use more effectively.

As a reliable testing method, it enhances workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near Mentone, IN

Laketon, IN

Pierceton, IN

Macy, IN

Rochester, IN

Winona Lake, IN

Warsaw, IN

Silver Lake, IN

Argos, IN

Bourbon, IN

Akron, IN

Claypool, IN

Etna Green, IN

Burket, 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