Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Uniondale, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is viewed as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. It provides a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. A sample taken near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use for roughly a 90-day period. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is minimally possible, and shipping is convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 hairs (roughly akin to a #2 pencil's diameter) near the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments surpassing 10 panels, acquiring 150mg of hair is advisable. The specimen should be weighed on a jeweler's scale. If no scalp hair is accessible, the collection of an equal volume of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" denotes scalp hair exclusively, whereas "body hair" encompasses other varieties, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the sample's initial processing within the lab's framework. This step entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data that an electronic chain of custody system may not provide.

Screening executes an initial rapid evaluation for substance misuse. Although efficient for excluding drug use in many samples, a Screening's positive finding requires confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples with a presumed positive result in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

If Screening suggests positivity, more hair is drawn from the initial collection for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

All screening positive results receive Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Unlike urine tests that have a limited detection timeframe, hair tests trace drug activity for up to 90 days.
• Resistance to deceit: Due to its resistance to manipulation, the hair drug test delivers more reliable results.
• Temporal usage data: Provides an assessment of drug use behavior over time instead of merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection begins: Drugs only become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days following use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is often pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as individual hair growth and hair color can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the procedure evaluates the strands of hair, not the follicles underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Uniondale, IN
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by granting superior accuracy and dependability.
This method delivers an extended detection window, rarely seen in alternatives and strengthens employer confidence in authenticating substance use history effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Uniondale, IN
Hair follicle testing allows for the analysis of drug consumption over a notably prolonged period, reaching up to 90 days.
This capability gives employers in Uniondale a detailed insight into the applicant or employee's substance use history, ensuring they get a comprehensive understanding.
Consequently, it's a proficient tool for better workforce management and decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Uniondale, IN
Hair follicle testing is a resilient method that significantly lessens the possibility of sample adulteration.
The inherent design of this test provides dependable and indisputable outcomes.
In a domain where reliability is crucial, this feature enhances the confidence level amongst employers and other stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Uniondale, IN
Nationwide facility access ensures easy and seamless testing services, wherever you are.
Local centers in Uniondale offer prompt and stress-free drug testing processes, ensuring that it's effortless for individuals and employers to obtain the necessary services at their convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Uniondale, IN
With a straightforward, confidential procedure, ordering, conducting, and receiving test results become hassle-free.
Tackling privacy and simplicity concerns, the process is designed to assure user comfort while maintaining utmost discretion and efficiency in Uniondale.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Uniondale, IN
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times provide incredible value for organizations of varying scales.
Ensuring economical and prompt services helps enterprises in Uniondale manage costs while maintaining high standards of drug testing integrity and trust.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Uniondale, IN
Hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched precision and rapid outcomes, particularly for detecting substance use.
Its advanced methodology ensures that not only is the detection highly accurate, but the results are delivered swiftly, aiding organizations in making informed decisions efficiently in Uniondale.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Uniondale, IN
Utilizing hair follicle testing upholds compliance with workplace drug-free protocols.
This not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace security, delivering tranquility to employers by fostering a safer, more accountable work setting.

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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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