Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Warren, IN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected from near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) from closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests that include EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for accurate weighing. If scalp hair isn’t available, the same amount from body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair covers other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing stage of a sample within a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptive positives from Screening need secondary confirmation.

For samples presumptively positive after Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than is typical in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, thus ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Historical usage data: Provides an overview of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle drug testing outperforms urine tests in several ways, offering superior accuracy and reliability in Warren, IN. Hair tests can identify substances over a longer detection period, making them more effective for employers demanding comprehensive background checks.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle assessments are less susceptible to tampering, ensuring that results remain untainted. This progress showcases hair testing's superiority in serving both legal and employment needs efficiently.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Warren, IN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing provides a complete overview of an applicant or employee's drug history. Spanning up to 90 days, this long-range analysis becomes an essential tool for employers prioritizing workplace safety and integrity.

The extensive period assessed by hair follicles ensures a detailed account beyond the capabilities of shorter-window tests, aiding employers in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant solution for those in Warren, IN, concerned with the integrity of their drug testing methods. This approach markedly diminishes sample adulteration risks, ensuring results are trusted and valid.

By employing hair tests, organizations in Warren eradicate questions about sample manipulation, thereby providing confidence and reliability in the outcomes obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's wide network of nationwide locations, including local sites in Warren, IN, ensures easy access to testing services. This convenience supports a streamlined, hassle-free testing journey for individuals and employers alike.

With numerous facilities spread across the country, our services promise accessibility complemented by the advantage of local testing centers in Warren, reducing travel time and increasing efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

We offer a simple and confidential process for conducting hair follicle tests in Warren, IN, emphasizing privacy. From ordering tests to receiving results, our process is designed to be straightforward while maintaining the utmost confidentiality.

Our commitment to a user-friendly procedure assures that privacy concerns are addressed, allowing individuals to comply with testing requirements comfortably and securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Warren, IN, our competitive pricing structures coupled with swift turnaround times provide incredible value for companies of all sizes, making hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient.

Clients appreciate the perfect combination of cost-effective pricing and rapid results, which underlines Accredited Drug Testing's commitment to providing exceptional service that meets both budget and timeline requirements.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Warren, IN, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their speed and accuracy in identifying drug use. The method's precision ensures reliable results, proving indispensable for employers and individuals seeking assurance in testing procedures.

With cutting-edge technology, hair follicle tests promptly provide accurate feedback, enhancing the decision-making process for employers in Warren, IN.

The rapid and accurate detection capabilities of hair tests strengthen their position as the preferred choice for fast-paced environments needing reliable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Warren, IN, employers leveraging hair follicle testing can enjoy compliance and peace of mind, knowing their workplace adheres to drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal liabilities and enhances organizational safety.

Using hair tests aligns with local and federal regulations, ensuring businesses operate in compliance and support a drug-free environment, which is instrumental in mitigating workplace-related issues.

Drug Testing Near Warren, IN

New Richmond, IN

Richmond, IN

Washington, IN

Buffalo, IN

Matthews, 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