Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Armonk, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has come to be regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch cluster of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's diameter) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal phases in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be admissible in legal contexts. Any samples that presumptively test positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than found with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique to conduct.

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

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more accurate results.
• Offers historical data: Provides a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test primarily analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Armonk, NY, hair follicle testing presents clear advantages over urine tests. Hair testing excels with an extensive detection window, offering insights into drug use over a longer span, unlike urine tests which only reveal recent consumption. This method provides enhanced reliability and is nearly foolproof against tampering, rendering it an invaluable choice for employers committed to zero-tolerance policies.
Long-Term Detection

• Captures a 90-day history effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Exploring drug use history over a substantial period of up to 90 days sets hair follicle testing apart in Armonk, NY. Businesses seeking an extensive view of employee substance use history will find this method invaluable. Offering a thorough perspective across several months ensures a detailed review, empowering informed decision-making based on reliable data.

• Comprehensive substance use review.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Armonk, NY, hair follicle testing emerges as a robust solution to minimize sample manipulation risks. This method limits the opportunity for tampering, enhancing test reliability and trustworthiness. The supervised collection ensures that outcomes remain beyond doubt, providing businesses with undebatable and secure results, critical in environments demanding accountability.
Unquestionable Reliability

• Significantly reduces adulteration chances.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's widespread centers, including Armonk, NY, ensures effortless access to drug testing services. Our expansive network simplifies the testing process, offering readily available solutions to businesses aiming for seamless service integration. From local communities to nationwide coverage, our facilitation ensures prompt and efficient testing appointments.

• Accessible testing centers across the nation.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing conducts a straightforward and private testing process in Armonk, NY. From order placement to receiving outcomes, confidentiality and simplicity are prioritized. This approach addresses privacy concerns effectively, providing users with an uncomplicated and private experience that ensures satisfaction while maintaining data security.

• Smooth and confidential testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Armonk, NY, highlights value-driven pricing and prompt test result delivery. Our competitive pricing structure ensures affordability for organizations of varying sizes, while our swift response times provide efficient service, ensuring timely insights into employee substance use, enabling businesses to take decisive action with confidence.
Economical and Efficient

• Cost-effective with rapid result turnaround.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and accurate results in Armonk, NY. This method stands out for its remarkable precision in identifying substance usage, granting peace of mind with its reliable outcomes. Hair testing assures dependable detection even in complex scenarios, offering rapid insights into a person’s drug history. Due to its accuracy, organizations can confidently leverage this testing method to ensure reliable findings.
High Precision

• Superior in identifying long-term substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing solidifies compliance with drug-free workplace mandates in Armonk, NY. By implementing this testing method, employers can mitigate legal exposure while fostering a safe work environment. The assuredness of adhering to regulations provides both peace of mind and a secure atmosphere conducive to productivity.
Workplace Safety

• Strengthened compliance with zero-tolerance policies.

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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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