Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dryden, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains the long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to around a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, moderately tough to tamper with, and simple to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches totaling roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Assessing the sample on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If head hair is not available, the equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it means scalp hair specifically. Body hair indicates all other hair sorts (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The four primary steps in lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial input of a sample into a lab system. This task involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective method to dismiss drug consumption in the bulk of samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening do necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows tentatively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is withdrawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, relative to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is very difficult to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical data: It can expose a trend of drug consumption over a period, not just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to detect recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing procedures.
• Result variances: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dryden, NY

• Hair follicle tests detect a broader range of substances over a longer period.
• They offer superior accuracy compared to traditional urine tests.
• Reliability and detection make them the preferred choice for many organizations.

The precision of hair testing ensures a dependable and comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use, outperforming urine tests substantially.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dryden, NY

• Hair follicle testing uncovers drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days.
• This lengthened detection provides employers with a detailed perspective on substance use history.
• Enhances decision-making in hiring and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

The ability of hair tests to track long-term usage patterns is invaluable for creating a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dryden, NY

• Hair follicle tests significantly curtail the risk of sample tampering.
• Provide reliable results that are difficult to undermine.
• This robustness ensures test outcomes remain unquestionable and trusted.

Employing a tamper-resistant testing method offers peace of mind, affirming the integrity of the screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dryden, NY

• Our nationwide centers offer accessible hair follicle testing near you.
• Dryden residents benefit from easy and trouble-free access to services.
• Time-efficient and convenient test ordering and execution process.

The convenience of widespread locations ensures individuals and organizations can conduct required tests without hassles.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dryden, NY

• The process of ordering and conducting hair tests is straightforward.
• Client privacy is prioritized, ensuring confidentiality throughout.
• Results are delivered securely and efficiently.

A transparent process with an emphasis on user privacy and ease makes this service favorable for all testing needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dryden, NY

• Our competitive pricing structure appeals to businesses of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround times add value, providing rapid results.
• Cost-effectiveness and efficiency do not compromise quality.

Offering excellent value ensures companies receive not only affordability but superior service and product delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dryden, NY

• Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed.
• These tests provide highly reliable results, swiftly detecting substance use.
• Employers and individuals trust this method for its consistent accuracy.

Hair testing meets the growing demand for efficient drug screening, combining fast result delivery with undeniable accuracy to ensure comprehensive substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dryden, NY

• Hair follicle tests assure adherence to workplace drug policies.
• They reduce legal liabilities associated with substance use infractions.
• Improves safety and harmony within the work environment.

By implementing hair testing, employers can foster a law-abiding and risk-free workplace, providing assurance and peace of mind.

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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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