Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glen Head, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair shaft. When procured near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 90-day discovery frame for alcohol and drugs. Hair procurement is straightforward, relatively challenging to falsify, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or when exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair isn't present, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory processing entails four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initializing a sample into a lab's system. This process includes checking the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient way to detect drug consumption in the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid legally. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening mandate a secondary verification.

If a sample registers presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This step involves deriving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes a review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 3 months, unlike urine tests which feature a briefer detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Crafting a way around a hair drug test is very complicated, adding to the accuracy of results.
• Gives past usage data: It can outline drug usage patterns over a timeframe, not just recent advents.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often pricier compared to other drug screening methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though frequently dubbed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing drug testing methods in Glen Head, NY, hair follicle testing emerges superior due to its longer detection window compared to traditional urine tests. Benefits of Hair Testing:

• Detects drug use up to 90 days back, as opposed to a few days with urine tests.
• Observed collection minimizes tampering risks, ensuring reliability.
• An ideal choice for zero-tolerance policies, offering in-depth insights into drug use.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Glen Head, NY, employers can access a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use up to 90 days prior.

• Fosters informed hiring decisions by showcasing long-term substance use patterns.
• Helps maintain a drug-free workplace, crucial for safety-sensitive roles.
• Extends past what traditional methods can detect, highlighting past substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests conducted in Glen Head, NY, stand out for their robust tamper-resistant nature.

• Observed sample collection minimizes opportunities to alter results.
• Natural resistance to tampering ensures test results remain unaffected by outside influences.
• Provides employers with results they can confidently act upon without the fear of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the heart of our operations in Glen Head, NY, with nationwide testing centers offering seamless access.

• Our local centers ensure easy access to essential drug testing services.
• Nationwide presence allows for uniformity and ease when coordinating tests regionally or nationally.
• Hassle-free and rapid services meet employer needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Glen Head, NY, for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and secure.

• Order, test, and receive results with ease, ensuring simplicity at every step.
• Guaranteed confidentiality safeguards personal information and test outcomes.
• A user-friendly approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a smooth experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Glen Head, NY, our hair follicle testing provides great value.

• Our affordable rates make high-standard testing accessible to all businesses, regardless of size.
• Fast results enable employers to make timely hiring or HR decisions, adding business value.
• Assures high return on investment by minimizing potential workplace issues related to substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Glen Head, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and quick results, quickly becoming the preferred choice for detecting substance use. The accuracy of these tests ensures that every substance is reliably identified, giving peace of mind to employers and agencies.
Additionally, the speed at which results are delivered means quicker decisions can be made on staffing, contributing to a more efficient workflow.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Glen Head, NY, assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

• Helps reduce legal liabilities for companies by ensuring adherence to regulations.
• Bolsters workplace safety by minimizing potential drug use risks.
• Empowers employers to maintain a professional, compliant work environment.

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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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