Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Somerville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within its fibers during growth. Hair obtained close to the scalp can show a detection window of approximately 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp offers 100mg, the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferable. We advise using a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab handling of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary input of a sample into a lab’s system. This phase involves validating that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails an initial brief analysis for drugs of concern. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective technique for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Any samples that are potentially positive in Screening will require a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample show preliminary positivity in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this step, drugs are isolated from the hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most complex procedure.

Confirmation of any detected substances during screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are initially positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceedingly difficult to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result precision.
• Gives historical insights: It reveals a pattern of substance use over a period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing surpass urine testing in Somerville, IN? Simply put, hair testing offers superior detection and reliability. While urine tests capture recent drug use, hair tests provide a comprehensive view over a prolonged duration. This extended scope gives employers and legal bodies a more holistic insight into patterns of substance use, reaffirming the test's unmatched efficacy and accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

In Somerville, IN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a game-changer. Capable of identifying substance use over up to 90 days, this method empowers employers with a comprehensive perspective on an individual's history. This broadened scope is invaluable for assessing long-term patterns of use, enabling better-informed hiring and supervision decisions in workplace environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Somerville, IN, offers a tamper-resistant approach that is unrivaled in reliability. Unlike other methods, it's challenging to adulterate the samples, ensuring the results remain trustworthy and indisputable. This solid integrity is crucial for employers and legal systems that depend on uncompromising accuracy to maintain confidence in their testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that residents and businesses in Somerville, IN, can swiftly access our services. With nationwide and local facilities, there's a seamless approach to scheduling and conducting tests. This accessibility minimizes delays and streamlines the testing process for all clients, reinforcing our commitment to convenience and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Somerville, IN, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, designed with user privacy in mind. From ordering to receiving results, each step is handled discreetly, addressing concerns about confidentiality. This simplicity bolsters trust, ensuring a comfortable experience for every client engaged in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and quick turnaround characterize our hair follicle testing in Somerville, IN. These affordable options ensure businesses of any size can implement effective drug testing without financial strain. Clients benefit from the cost-effectiveness of our services and the peace of mind from rapid result delivery, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing organizational security.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Somerville, IN, the accuracy and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing have set a new industry standard. The examination's rigorous methodology ensures unmatched precision in identifying substance use. This meticulous process delivers fast and unequivocal results, making it an essential tool for businesses and legal systems seeking dependable data for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing guarantees compliance and peace of mind for employers in Somerville, IN. By upholding stringent drug-free workplace policies, organizations can mitigate legal liabilities and promote a safer work environment. This reliable testing strategy aligns with legal standards and fosters a culture of responsibility and trust within the workforce.

Drug Testing Near Somerville, IN

Selvin, IN

Inglefield, IN

Patoka, IN

Haubstadt, IN

Princeton, IN

Winslow, IN

Fort Branch, IN

Elberfeld, IN

Lynnville, IN

Coe, IN

Spurgeon, IN

Enos Corner, IN

Francisco, IN

Oakland City, IN

Mackey, IN

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews