Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Lisbon, IN

What it is, How it works

Recognized as a potent method, hair testing effectively identifies drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand, hair offers a prolonged history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use spanning a detection window of up to three months. The collection process is straightforward, the chance of tampering is low, and shipping is uncomplicated.

Taking a 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 strands, akin to a #2 pencil in thickness, from the scalp delivers 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample should be collected. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent amount of body hair serves as an alternative. "Head hair" specifies scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation constitute the key steps in processing a drug test in the laboratory.

Accessioning is the initial step, where a sample is introduced into the lab system. This process ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any missing data entry outside the electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening serves as a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Though cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in numerous samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation for judicial validity. Screening results that presumptively indicate drug use require further confirmation.

In cases where screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further analysis. This stage involves drug extraction from hair at lower concentrations than found in other testing like urine or oral fluid, emphasizing the complexity of hair drug screening.

The confirmation of positive screenings is pursued through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned in preparation for confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the entire workflow adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Unlike urine tests with a brief window, hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days back.
• Resistance to cheating: The accuracy of results is enhanced by the difficulty of tampering with hair drug tests.
• Historical usage patterns: Provides insights into trends of substance use rather than mere recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to indicate recent use: Drugs need about 5-7 days to appear in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in New Lisbon, IN, is a question of detection accuracy and reliability. Hair follicle tests surpass urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities, tracing substance use longer. This advanced testing method ensures more dependable results, appealing to employers and professionals who demand stringent drug testing protocols in their operations.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in New Lisbon, IN, provides clarity on an individual's substance use history. Unlike other methods, hair testing detects drug use over a 90-day period, offering a comprehensive view for employers reviewing current or potential hires. This ability to look back over a longer duration offers insights unavailable through standard urine testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With a focus on tamper-resistant testing methods, hair follicle tests in New Lisbon, IN, minimize risk of sample adulteration. This testing approach delivers reliable and indisputable results, assuring employers and individuals that the findings are indeed reflective of recent substance use. Avoiding the potential pitfalls of tampering ensures the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The benefit of convenient nationwide testing locations stretches to local centers in New Lisbon, IN. Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible testing services swiftly and effortlessly, all across the nation. This widespread availability ensures immediate and easy access for individuals and companies requiring hair follicle drug tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

A simple, confidential process exists for conducting hair follicle drug testing in New Lisbon, IN. From ordering to sample collection and result retrieval, the procedure is designed to protect client privacy and ease of use. Clients can rest assured, knowing their information remains confidential throughout this straightforward process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times are hallmarks of our hair follicle testing services in New Lisbon, IN. With competitive pricing models and quick result delivery, our services provide great value for companies regardless of size. This assurance of affordability with speed affords businesses peace of mind when it comes to drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, accurate, and reliable results are at the heart of hair follicle drug testing in New Lisbon, IN. These tests boast high precision in identifying substance use, ensuring a trustworthy outcome that traditional urine tests might not match. The methodology delivers quick and conclusive results that benefit both employers and individuals seeking thorough and efficient testing for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and peace of mind for employers in New Lisbon, IN, is achievable through hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug policies, mitigating legal risks while enhancing overall safety. Employers can confidently rely on this testing to ensure a robust, drug-free environment in their organizations.

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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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