Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Pekin, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a robust approach for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of a developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may lack.

Screening provides a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to negate drug usage for most samples, any positive outcome needs confirmation to be valid in court. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window.
• Challenges in deception: Cheating a hair drug test is notoriously difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption data.

Limitations:

• Inability to catch recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing alternatives.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and unique hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in New Pekin, IN, offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. With a longer detection window, hair tests provide a more thorough assessment of substance use over the recent months.

Extended Detection Window

In New Pekin, IN, hair follicle testing is advantageous for its extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over a period of up to 90 days. Employers gain a detailed view of an individual's long-term substance use history, enhancing decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The risk of sample tampering in drug testing is significantly reduced with hair follicle methods in New Pekin, IN. The observed collection process and the resilient nature of hair samples result in reliable and indisputable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is a key benefit of our hair follicle testing services, with accessible locations nationwide and in New Pekin, IN. Our network enables quick and easy access to testing facilities, minimizing disruption for employers and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in New Pekin, IN, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the focus is on privacy and simplicity, addressing common concerns about the intrusiveness of drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in New Pekin, IN, offers excellent value. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from affordable testing solutions, ensuring quick and confident drug screening.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in New Pekin, IN, stands out for its precision and speed, delivering fast and reliable results. Hair tests can accurately detect a wide range of substances, providing comprehensive insights into an individual's drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in New Pekin, IN, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety, employers gain peace of mind while maintaining a secure working environment.

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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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