Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Big Flats, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended history of substance intake by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, not easily altered, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG or additional tests exceeding 10 panels, the specimen should be about 150mg. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step checks that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid check for drug abuse. This step is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most cases, but any positive results from Screening need to be validated to be legally acceptable. Presumptive positive samples from Screening require secondary confirmation.

For any sample testing positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to perform.

Confirmation of a positive Screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more truthful results.
• Tracks usage history: Patterns of drug use over time can be depicted, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect recent usage: It generally takes around 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair vs. Urine Testing in Big Flats, NY
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Primarily, its superior detection accuracy makes it a preferred choice among employers and legal entities. While urine tests can sometimes be limited in what they detect, hair follicle tests provide a more comprehensive view of substance abuse through their enhanced reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Long Detection Window in Big Flats, NY
The hair follicle testing method detects drug usage up to 90 days prior, offering a broader insight into an individual's substance history. This extended detection period serves as a valuable tool for employers, giving them a comprehensive perspective on a candidate or employee's past behavior, far beyond what urine testing can offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Methods in Big Flats, NY
Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to tampering or adulteration than other drug testing methods. This ensures that the results are credible and not easily manipulated, providing peace of mind for those requesting the test. The reliable nature of these tests stands out as a significant advantage within the drug-testing industry.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience in Big Flats, NY
With testing centers spread across the nation, accessing drug testing services has never been more convenient. Our Big Flats location, along with other centers, ensures that testing is a quick and hassle-free experience. The widespread availability of our services underscores our commitment to meeting the needs of our clients effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Easy and Confidential Testing in Big Flats, NY
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Individuals can rest assured that their privacy is respected throughout the process, making the experience as stress-free as possible while maintaining the integrity of the results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value and Efficiency in Big Flats, NY
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing an attractive option for companies of all sizes. Delivering excellent value, we ensure that businesses in Big Flats receive top-notch service without breaking the bank. The affordability combined with the swift delivery of results positions us as a reliable choice for drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Accuracy in Big Flats, NY
Hair follicle testing provides swift and precise results, identifying substance use with high reliability. As the testing method ensures accuracy, it supports informed decision-making and aids in the effective monitoring of substance-related issues in the Big Flats area. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, results are delivered quickly without compromising on reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance in Big Flats, NY
Employers benefit from hair follicle testing by maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances safety within the work environment. Hair testing methods help in upholding a drug-free atmosphere, leading to increased peace of mind for employers in Big Flats.

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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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