Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Putnamville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a significant instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate a substance presence over a 3-month time frame. It’s easy to collect hair, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising approximately 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil size) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels surpassing 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair is not accessible, collect an equivalent amount of body hair. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The major steps in the lab handling of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates the laboratory’s processing by ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and entering any additional data absent from the electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for substances. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to discount drug use in most samples, confirmation is necessary for any positive screenings to hold up legally. Samples showing positive results presumptively during Screening require confirmatory testing.

In cases of presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is withdrawn from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at lower concentrations from hair compared to other mediums (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most intricate methodologies.

Subsequent to positive screening, confirmation employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples suspected to be positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The full sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that provide a shorter detection span.
• High resistance to cheating: Tampering with hair drug tests is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage patterns: It offers insight into drug usage trends over a period, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Pricing: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and growth rate variation can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Putnamville, IN, the superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair samples become evident. Unlike urine tests, hair screenings extend coverage over an extended period, typically identifying substance use up to 90 days prior, thus giving employers a fuller picture of an individual's history with drugs. Furthermore, hair tests face diminished risks of tampering.

Extended Detection Window

One notable advantage of hair follicle testing in Putnamville, IN, is its extended detection window, which can reveal substance use for up to 90 days. This longer observation period offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an applicant’s or employee’s drug history. Such broad-spectrum analysis facilitates better decision-making processes in workforce management and policy enforcement.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Putnamville, IN, stands apart due to its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methodologies, the collection and evaluation processes of hair samples are less vulnerable to adulteration, ensuring authentic and undisputable test outcomes. This reliability makes hair testing an invaluable tool for employers and legal entities who require transparency in drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing locations and specific centers in Putnamville, IN, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient and straightforward. Our widespread network ensures that individuals and organizations benefit from easy and rapid access to testing, minimizing logistical hassles and enhancing the overall experience. Convenience is at the heart of our service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Putnamville, IN, is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting the sample and receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and user-friendly procedures. This commitment alleviates any concerns about privacy and facilitates ease of use, allowing participants to engage with testing services confidently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Putnamville, IN, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value. We cater to organizations of varying sizes, ensuring that our services remain affordable while not compromising on quality and reliability. Our goal is to provide swift, convenient solutions that meet the economic and operational needs of all types of businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Putnamville, IN, hair follicle drug testing ensures speedy yet precise results. These tests excel in identifying substance use with high accuracy, representing a swift solution. The key advantage of hair testing lies in its ability to deliver dependable insights into drug consumption without delay, assisting employers and legal entities alike with their stringent checking processes for substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Putnamville, IN, reap significant benefits by incorporating hair follicle testing into their compliance and safety protocols. This testing method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies and reduces legal liabilities. Utilizing hair testing enables a higher standard of workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind knowing their drug enforcement strategies are robust and reliable.

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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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