Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Roanoke, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers. When hair is trimmed close to the scalp, it can offer an approximate three-month detection timeline for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to manipulation, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and analyses exceeding ten panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount from body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory system. This step checks that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results must undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Longitudinal data: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: A timeframe of about 5-7 days is necessary before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Testing vs. Urine Testing in Roanoke, IN

Hair follicle testing emerges superior due to its vast detection capabilities, spanning up to three months. Unlike urine tests, which offer shorter detection windows, hair testing provides a more comprehensive view of substance history, offering assurance of accuracy and reducing the likelihood of false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection in Roanoke, IN

For employers seeking an extensive view of employee compliance, hair follicle testing in Roanoke is ideal. It can detect drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days, offering valuable insights into potential issues. This long-term perspective aids in making informed hiring and retention decisions, fostering a safe work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistant to Tampering in Roanoke, IN

One major advantage of hair follicle testing is its resilience to adulteration. Unlike urine samples, which can be manipulated, hair tests offer reliable results that stand up to scrutiny. This robust testing method reduces the risk of deceit, ensuring unquestionable integrity in results, crucial for upholding workplace standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Roanoke, IN

With a network of testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing makes access to hair follicle testing stress-free in Roanoke. Our local facilities are easily reachable, facilitating quick and efficient service. This convenience ensures that testing is not a hindrance but a seamless part of maintaining workplace standards.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential in Roanoke, IN

Our process in Roanoke is streamlined and respectful of privacy, providing an effortless way to order, conduct, and receive hair follicle test results. We uphold strict confidentiality, catering to individual and corporate needs, ensuring peace of mind throughout the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Fast in Roanoke, IN

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle testing in Roanoke. Our cost-effective solutions provide exceptional value, ensuring companies of all sizes can protect their interests efficiently without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Roanoke, IN

Hair follicle drug tests in Roanoke offer both precision and rapid results, ensuring an accurate detection of substance use. The method is highly effective, catering to those who prioritize reliability and quick feedback. With this advanced testing, you get clear insights promptly, minimizing waiting times and enhancing decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Peace of Mind in Roanoke, IN

By incorporating hair follicle testing, Roanoke employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only mitigates legal risks but also promotes a safer and more productive work environment, providing employers with the confidence that their workforce adheres to stringent standards.

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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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