Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Akron, NY

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, offering a long-term record of substance use. When obtained near the scalp, it can indicate drug or alcohol presence for up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands near the scalp, provides approximately 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation tests. For tests involving EtG additions and/or more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. The term “head hair” refers exclusively to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This includes ensuring the sample’s seal and shipment were intact, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to hold up in legal contexts. Samples that show presumptive positivity during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample indicate potential positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with much shorter detection times.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are exceedingly hard to deceive, thus delivering more reliable outcomes.
• Historical overview: They offer an enduring pattern of drug usage, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Generally, hair drug tests are priced higher than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth variations can impact the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Akron, NY

Hair testing delivers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. With extended detection windows, hair tests provide comprehensive insights, showcasing a broader history of substance use, crucial for informed evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period in Akron, NY

The ability of hair follicle testing to track drug use for up to 90 days offers employers a thorough overview of one's substance history. This prolonged detection period allows workplaces to maintain vigilance and uphold their drug-free policies effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistance to Tampering in Akron, NY

Hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of sample adulteration. Their nature of collection reduces tampering chances, ensuring consistent and reliable results that stakeholders can rely on with confidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Akron, NY

The accessibility of our nationwide and local testing centers facilitates easy and quick access to these services. Whether you are in Akron or elsewhere, our centers are designed for hassle-free testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential Testing Process in Akron, NY

The testing process is simple and confidential, focusing on privacy and ease. From ordering the test to receiving results, clients in Akron, NY can rest assured knowing that their privacy is carefully protected throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Services in Akron, NY

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times set our testing services apart. Companies of all sizes can benefit from our economical solutions, while still receiving swift and reliable testing services, enhancing their overall value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Accurate and Quick Results in Akron, NY

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their high precision in identifying substance use. Employers and individuals alike benefit from the quick turnaround of results, ensuring prompt decision-making. The ability to pinpoint substance use accurately makes hair testing a favored choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance in Akron, NY

By adopting hair follicle testing, employers in Akron can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace security, contributing to a safer and more reliable work environment.

Drug Testing Near Akron, NY

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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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