Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Merom, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal extended-use patterns of alcohol and drugs by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers as hair grows. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample can reflect up to an estimated 3-month detection period for substances. Hair is easy to acquire, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the ideal amount for both screening and validation. For EtG, extra tests, or those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing within a lab includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the entry phase of a sample into a lab’s system. This step entails validiating that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary fast verification for illegal drug presence. While Screening is a cost-effective measure to disregard drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal situations. Any samples that test positive preliminarily in Screening must undergo confirmation.

For any sample showing presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction step, where substances are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (like urine or saliva), rendering hair screening the most challenging to execute.

Any positive screening result is verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any preliminarily positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection time: Hair drug examinations can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring higher accuracy in results.
• Offers usage history: It reveals a trend of substance use over time, rather than limited recent use.

Limitations:

• Detects only past use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug-testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this test actually assesses the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Merom, IN, several benefits arise. Hair testing offers a broader detection window, ensuring a comprehensive insight into one's drug history, unlike the shorter span urine tests cover. This feature greatly assists employers needing long-term data.

Hair tests deliver superior detection accuracy and reliability, effectively identifying drug use that urine tests might miss. This capability results in increased trust in outcomes and reduces the risk of false negatives, ensuring workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Merom, IN, stands out with its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug history. This feature gives employers valuable insight into an applicant’s or employee's substance behavior, aiding in better decision-making for recruitment and management.

This long detection period offered by hair testing in Merom, IN, enables a comprehensive review of drug use patterns, presenting a more complete history compared to more limited screening methods like urine tests, beneficial for sustained workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of tampering, offering a dependable solution in Merom, IN, for drug testing. The inherent resistance to sample adulteration provides accurate and trustworthy results, crucial for maintaining a drug-free environment.

Employers in Merom, IN, can benefit from using hair testing due to its security against manipulation. The assurance of receiving unblemished results fosters peace of mind and trusted compliance with regulatory standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing services with nationwide coverage, including accessible local facilities in Merom, IN. Our wide network ensures testing is within reach, making the process smooth and efficient for employers and individuals alike.

Our presence in Merom, IN, and beyond means fast and efficient access to drug testing resources. The ease of locating a nearby center reduces hassle and ensures timely support for all testing needs, enhancing client experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Merom, IN, is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use while safeguarding privacy. From ordering to receiving results, this user-friendly approach addresses privacy concerns effectively.

Clients in Merom, IN, appreciate the straightforward and confidential process that maintains privacy at every step. This method assures reliability while focusing on an easy and stress-free experience, meeting all necessary compliance standards.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality or speed. In Merom, IN, our quick turnaround times ensure that businesses, regardless of size, receive excellent value and swift results.

By combining affordability with efficiency, our services in Merom, IN, guarantee reliable outcomes, supporting companies in maintaining cost-effective operations while ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Merom, IN, offer a distinct advantage over other methods. These tests provide precise and rapid results, ensuring employers can make informed decisions swiftly. Their effectiveness in detecting a broad range of substances sets them apart as a reliable testing option.

With advanced technology and techniques, hair follicle tests in Merom, IN, achieve high precision in detecting drug use. This method ensures quick results, minimizing downtime and giving employers confidence in the data they receive.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Merom, IN, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, essential for peace of mind. This method aligns with legal and safety standards, reducing potential liabilities and fostering a safe work environment.

Employers choosing hair follicle tests in Merom, IN, enjoy peace of mind due to robust compliance protocol adherence. This testing supports a drug-free policy, mitigating risks and promoting workforce safety, reflecting corporate responsibility.

Drug Testing Near Merom, IN

Midland, IN

Coalmont, IN

Pimento, IN

Freelandville, IN

Emison, IN

Bucktown, IN

Hymera, IN

Farmersburg, IN

Dugger, IN

Oaktown, IN

Shelburn, IN

Fairbanks, IN

Carlisle, IN

Sullivan, IN

Graysville, 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