Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Market, IN

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a crucial method for identifying usage of alcohol and drugs. Hair serves as a record of extended alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair that is growing. Collected near the scalp, hair might offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and various other drugs. Hair is uncomplicated to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing about 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, or screenings covering more than 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. In the context of head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis resulting in a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab’s system. This step verifies the sample’s sealed and proper shipment, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any lacking data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive outcome needs confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Any sample indicating a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo a further confirmation.

If the Screening phase indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, the concentration of drugs extracted from hair is considerably lower in comparison to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening particularly challenging to execute.

To confirm any positive result from screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are utilized. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, encompassing Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and also complies with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests are capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Attempting to circumvent a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus making the results more dependable.
• Historic use patterns: Provides a timeline of drug use over an extended period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual growth rates may affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite frequently being called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand itself, not the under-scalp hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in New Market, IN, offers notable advantages over conventional urine testing. Its superior accuracy in detecting substances highlights its reliability, making it a preferred choice among drug testing methods.

Employers in New Market, IN, benefit from hair follicle testing due to its unparalleled detection accuracy. This method outshines urine tests by delivering precision and trustworthiness for a wide range of testing purposes.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle drug test in New Market, IN, is renowned for its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days. This offers employers a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history.

In New Market, IN, hair follicle testing provides a detailed view of past drug use. Its ability to reveal substance intake over an extended timeframe is invaluable for employers seeking thorough background checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In New Market, IN, hair follicle testing is a reliable, tamper-resistant method. The difficulty of adulterating samples ensures results are trustworthy and secure, offering peace of mind.

Hair tests conducted in New Market, IN, minimize the risk of sample tampering. As a result, the method is recognized for delivering consistent and undeniable results in the realm of drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In New Market, IN, convenient local and nationwide testing centers simplify the process. Our accessible services ensure quick, hassle-free engagements and straightforward procedures.

The extensive network of testing locations in New Market, IN, provides residents with an easily accessible means of completing necessary tests. This convenience ensures efficiency and streamlined testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in New Market, IN, ensures a straightforward, confidential experience. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step addresses privacy concerns while maintaining ease of use.

In New Market, IN, the hair follicle testing process is uncomplicated and private. Our unique approach reassures users with discreet testing and seamless service delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift result delivery define our services in New Market, IN. This combination delivers exceptional value and prompt outcomes for businesses of all sizes.

Companies in New Market, IN, experience affordable hair follicle testing with rapid results. Our value-focused services cater to various business needs by providing quick and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Market, IN, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift, precise, and dependable results. These tests are exceptionally accurate in identifying substance use, offering a significant edge over traditional methodologies.

Each hair follicle drug test conducted in New Market, IN, assures users of its superior accuracy. This method's reliability in substance detection makes it a trusted choice for both professionals and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By adopting hair follicle testing in New Market, IN, employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks while improving safety and security on the job.

Companies in New Market, IN, achieve peace of mind by choosing hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace policies and provides significant assurances through its compliance and reliability.

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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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