Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Underwood, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has garnered a reputation as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands can trap biomarkers within their growing fibers, offering a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs over an extended period. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. The sample collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types like facial and axillary.

Process Overview

There are four principal phases in processing a drug test in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system, which includes checking the sample's proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data input missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for eliminating drug presence in numerous samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples testing presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. At this stage, the extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of conducting hair drug screening.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide a brief detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal patterns of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration can be affected by factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Outperforms Urine Testing

In Underwood, IN, hair follicle testing offers clearer, more reliable insights than standard urine tests. Hair testing captures drug use over extended periods while also preventing sample tampering. Coupled with the convenience of hair sample collection, it emerges as a notably superior approach.

The advantages include a longer detection timeframe and resistance to adulteration, ensuring consistent and dependable outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing boasts a remarkable detection period of up to 90 days. This extended window offers a comprehensive analysis of substance use, ideal for employers wishing to understand an employee's drug history thoroughly.

In Underwood, IN, employers gain a broad view of applicants’ or employees’ substance habits, supporting informed hiring or retention decisions. Its duration ensures no stone is left unturned.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant

Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes risks associated with sample tampering. By design, it offers a highly reliable and tamper-proof solution. Its integrity lies in the difficult adulteration of hair samples, providing credible results.

In Underwood, IN, this method's resilience against manipulation offers peace of mind to all stakeholders relying on meticulous drug testing reports.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and Local Accessibility

Our testing facilities are conveniently located nationwide, including Underwood, IN. Accessibility is key to ensuring easy and swift testing availability for all clients, making the process seamless and hassle-free.

The ease of reaching our numerous testing centers guarantees timely access to essential testing services right when they're needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplified, Private Process

In Underwood, IN, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. It guarantees ease from ordering to receiving results, addressing any privacy concerns clients may have.

We are committed to making the entire experience straightforward, ensuring that each step remains uncomplicated while maintaining the privacy of all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Economical and Timely

Offering competitive pricing, our hair testing services provide great value paired with a quick turnaround. This ensures companies of all sizes in Underwood, IN, can avail themselves of affordable solutions without compromising quality.

The combination of cost-effectiveness and prompt service delivers tremendous value, maintaining high standards with efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is renowned for its fast and reliable outcomes. Unlike other methodologies, hair testing provides accurate insight into substance use, assisting in making informed decisions.

With precision and speed, hair testing detects drug use effectively. This method stands out with the ability to deliver results swiftly and accurately, providing confidence in testing integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Assurance

Adopting hair follicle testing in Underwood, IN, reinforces workplace drug-free policies. This not only reduces legal exposure but also enhances overall safety.

Employers enjoy peace of mind knowing that they're leveraging a testing approach that prioritizes compliance and security, safeguarding their corporate environment.

Drug Testing Near Underwood, IN

Borden, IN

Charlestown, IN

Boston, IN

Austin, IN

Blocher, IN

Albion, IN

Little York, IN

Lexington, IN

Memphis, IN

Nabb, IN

Otisco, IN

New Salem, IN

Bunker Hill, IN

Scottsburg, IN

Henryville, 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