Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fort Ann, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by containing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, it gives up to a three-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, somewhat tamper-resistant, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair can't be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes other types such as facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was securely sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an efficient measure to eliminate drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be permissible in court. Samples showing potential positivity in Screening require a further confirmation.

If a sample indicates potential positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation follows both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical data: It offers an insight into a pattern of drug use over time, not confined to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detecting drugs in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers superior detection advantages over urine tests in Fort Ann, NY. Its longer detection window provides a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history. In contrast, urine tests often fail to identify drug use beyond a short period, making hair testing a more reliable option for discerning clients.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Fort Ann, NY, benefit from hair follicle tests' extended detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This lengthy window allows for an insightful review of an individual's past substance usage, aiding in informed decision-making regarding employees and applicants, thereby supporting a comprehensive approach to substance monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Fort Ann, NY's hair follicle testing method significantly reduces tampering risks, ensuring samples remain untampered. Unlike other methods prone to adulteration, hair testing provides accurate and indisputable results. This reliability makes it an ideal choice for discerning users seeking trustworthy testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers spread across the nation and locally in Fort Ann, NY, accessing services is effortless and convenient. These widespread facilities ensure customers can easily reach a testing location, offering a hassle-free and efficient testing experience. This extensive network ensures testing services are always within easy reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fort Ann, NY, the hair follicle testing procedure is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, each step is designed with privacy in mind, fostering peace of mind for individuals concerned about their sensitive information. The user-friendly process ensures hassle-free tool use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing combined with swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Fort Ann, NY, a cost-effective solution. Clients benefit from both the affordability and reliability of this testing method. This balance of value and performance offers companies of any size peace of mind and an excellent return on investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fort Ann, NY, hair follicle testing provides fast and precise outcomes, pinpointing substance use with high accuracy. This method outshines traditional testing approaches by ensuring quick turnaround times, enhancing the efficiency of the testing process. Clients can rely on these tests to deliver exact results, allowing for timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Fort Ann, NY, offers employers the assurance of compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By choosing this method, legal risks are minimized, and workplace safety is bolstered. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their substance testing aligns with best practices and meets strict compliance standards.

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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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