Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Summit, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair strands offer a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. Sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal an alcohol and drug use history extending up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches containing roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil’s thickness) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair might be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a laboratory drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the sample’s initial integration into a lab’s system. This process ensures proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any absent data not entered via an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary swift test for abuse drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation for court admissibility. Any screening samples suggesting positivity necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. Here, drug extraction occurs from hair at far lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if needed. The entire lab process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation guidelines.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical consumption insight: It can reveal drug usage patterns over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, excluding the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mount Summit, IN
Comparing hair testing with traditional urine tests reveals superior accuracy and reliability of the former. Hair testing detects substance use over a longer period whereas urine tests focus on recent use. The enhanced detection accuracy makes hair tests a far better option for comprehensive checks, particularly in environments demanding stringent adherence to drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mount Summit, IN
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a thorough view of an individual's substance history, making it a more comprehensive tool than other testing methods. This longer detection window is invaluable for making informed decisions on hiring and retention.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mount Summit, IN
Hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant qualities, which significantly reduce risk of result adulteration. Such tests ensure reliability and credibility, offering results that can be trusted by institutions like law enforcement agencies and employers. This quality makes hair follicle testing a favored method where security and accuracy are priorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mount Summit, IN
With numerous testing centers spread across the nation, accessing drug testing services is made convenient and quick. In Mount Summit, IN, local facilities ensure easy, hassle-free service for individuals and employers alike, streamlining the testing process. Our expansive network ensures prompt service anywhere you're located.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mount Summit, IN
Our testing process is straightforward and maintains privacy at all stages, from ordering to receiving results. This ensures user confidentiality and addresses potential privacy concerns comprehensively. The simplicity of the process is designed to provide ease of use without compromising on the discretion and accuracy of the results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mount Summit, IN
Our service offers competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid result delivery, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. Our quick turnaround time enhances both value and proficiency, ensuring that you get reliable results without delay. This affordability and efficiency favor both small businesses and large corporations alike.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mount Summit, IN
Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise results, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use. The meticulous testing process ensures reliability, giving individuals and employers confidence in the outcomes. This method significantly reduces false positives and negatives, setting the standard in effective drug testing modalities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mount Summit, IN
Employing hair follicle testing enables businesses to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It aids in minimizing legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety, providing a secure environment that is productive and efficient. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they have adhered to best practices in substance use screening.

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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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