Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stilesville, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair locks in the history of alcohol and drugs over an extended period by embedding biomarkers in the continually growing hair strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drug use. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (approximately matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the prime amount for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG tests, additional examinations, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to procure 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other types, such as facial, underarm, etc.

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the laboratory process of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is registered into a laboratory's database. This step involves verifying the sample's seal and proper shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary, swift analysis for substances of abuse. While a cost-effective screening can exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that are likely positive after Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a test is likely positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods such as urine or saliva, which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex approaches to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with likely positive results undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can register drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, thus implying higher accuracy in results.
• Reveals historical usage: It offers a trend of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Detecting drugs in hair takes roughly 5-7 days after usage.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier compared to other drug testing strategies.
• Outcome variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Frequently called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, excluding the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug tests, hair follicle testing offers substantial advantages over traditional urine tests in Stilesville, IN. Hair tests provide superior accuracy and reliability, capturing a longer history of drug use. Unlike urine tests, which only reflect recent drug activity, hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive detection window, making it a valuable tool for employers and professionals enforcing drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers a distinct edge with its extended detection period of up to 90 days. In Stilesville, IN, this method allows employers a detailed view of an individual's substance use history, compared to other testing methods that might miss longer-term drug use. With hair tests, business owners can make more informed hiring and retention decisions with a greater understanding of an applicant's history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One major benefit of hair follicle testing in Stilesville, IN is its resistance to tampering. Hair samples are much harder to adulterate compared to urine samples, providing reliable and unquestionable results. This integrity ensures that the results of a hair test can be trusted by employers and legal entities alike, minimizing the risk of fraudulent samples and guaranteeing authentic outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides easily accessible testing centers across Stilesville, IN, and nationwide. Convenience is at your fingertips, with our local centers ensuring fast, easy, and hassle-free testing. Whether for employees or individuals, the proximity of centers supports swift taking of tests and results, eliminating long travel times and scheduling hassles.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential drug testing process in Stilesville, IN. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes simple processes, ensuring that clients can effortlessly manage testing needs without compromising on confidentiality and assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Stilesville, IN, offers competitive pricing without compromising quality. Benefit from fast turnaround times, enabling efficient decision-making for companies of all sizes. Our value-driven approach ensures businesses get the most out of their budget while maintaining the assurance of reliable test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stilesville, IN, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests stand out. These tests precisely detect substance use, thanks to their advanced technology. Fast and efficient, hair tests deliver reliable results, crucial for informed decision-making. Choose hair follicle testing to take advantage of rapid turnarounds and unparalleled precision in substance detection, ensuring peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Stilesville, IN, implementing hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Employers utilize this method to maintain a safe and productive work environment. Reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing assurance and peace of mind for business owners aware of their employees' commitment to a drug-free culture.

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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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