Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crawfordsville, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method to identify the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a longitudinal history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing strand. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in girth to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair denotes any other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary validation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging approach.

Any positive screening results are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting urine tests with their shorter detection window.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceptionally difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a pattern of drug use across a time span, not merely reflecting recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Factors including hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as “hair follicle tests,” the assessment examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing, available in Crawfordsville, IA, far surpasses traditional urine tests in terms of detection and reliability. While urine tests offer short-term detection, hair tests boast a 90-day detection window, capturing a more comprehensive picture of drug use. This extensive range provides employers superior insight into an individual's substance history.

Compared to urine testing, hair tests demonstrate remarkable accuracy and are less prone to tampering. In Crawfordsville, IA, this means peace of mind for employers seeking trustworthy and effective methods for screening employees and applicants.

Extended Detection Window

One of the key benefits of opting for hair follicle testing in Crawfordsville, IA, is its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window allows companies to gain valuable insight into an individual’s past substance use history, offering a significant advantage for long-term safety assessments.

Employers seeking a comprehensive view find hair follicle testing ideal, as it provides detailed substance use information that urine tests simply cannot offer. This longer detection range equips employers with the necessary information to make informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Crawfordsville, IA, hair follicle tests are hailed for their robust resistance to tampering. This testing method greatly diminishes the likelihood of sample adulteration, delivering results that are both dependable and unquestionable. Employers can confidently use these tests for accurate substance use verification.

Unlike urine tests, which can be susceptible to manipulation, hair follicle testing remains secure and effective. Its tamper-resistant nature guarantees the authenticity of results, providing employers with the assurance they need to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our extensive network of testing centers, including convenient local options in Crawfordsville, IA, accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide presence ensures that you are never far from a reliable testing center when you need it most.

The availability of numerous testing locations makes it simpler than ever to undergo hair follicle testing, whether you are an employer, employee, or an individual seeking comprehensive assessments. Our widespread reach facilitates unparalleled convenience and accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Crawfordsville, IA is both simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns while maintaining ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are streamlined, guaranteeing the privacy and security of personal information throughout the process.

Participants are assured of a straightforward procedure that respects confidentiality, ensuring a user-friendly experience from start to finish. This dedication to discretion makes hair follicle testing an attractive option for those prioritizing privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Crawfordsville, IA, emphasizes competitive pricing and expedient turnaround times, offering valuable services to companies of all sizes. Our affordable rates and fast results deliver outstanding value for those seeking reliable hair follicle testing solutions.

Cost-effectiveness meets speed in our testing approach, providing peace of mind for businesses aiming to implement responsible drug testing policies without breaking the bank. Our commitment to affordability ensures that precision and reliability remain accessible.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

With a focus on speed and precision, hair follicle drug tests in Crawfordsville, IA provide quick and accurate results. This testing method efficiently detects substance use with a high degree of accuracy, ensuring that results are both reliable and promptly delivered.

Employers and applicants alike benefit from the prompt turnaround of hair follicle test results, which are known for their meticulous accuracy in identifying a wide range of substances during the analysis process. This swiftness and precision are critical advantages for those seeking reliable substance use assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By implementing hair follicle testing in Crawfordsville, IA, employers ensure compliance with workplace drug-free policies, significantly minimizing legal risks and promoting a safe work environment. These tests align with stringent substance use regulations, offering peace of mind in maintaining a compliant workplace.

Employers benefit from the confidence that thorough and reliable testing provides, knowing they are making informed decisions aligned with zero-tolerance policies. Hair follicle testing aids organizations in upholding standards that safeguard their workforce and reduce potential liabilities.

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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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