Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Great Neck Plaza, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive historical record of alcohol and drug intake by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair. When cut near the head, hair can present roughly a 90-day period for detecting alcohol and drug use. It is easy to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in width) from near the head equates to 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If head hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, underarm).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis for a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning step involves integrating a sample into the lab’s system. It includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is required for legal admissibility. Samples that indicate a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

In the event that a sample is assumed positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is gathered from the original sample and processed for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or saliva), which is why hair analysis is particularly challenging.

Any positive screening outcomes are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated following CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage over a period of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Records historical usage: It demonstrates a timeline of substance use, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unavailable for recent detection: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Influences such as hair color and personal hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing in Great Neck Plaza, NY, due to its enhanced detection capabilities.

• Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide a longer detection window, capturing substance use over weeks.
• With greater accuracy, it provides a more robust framework for drug policy enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window in Great Neck Plaza, NY. Employers benefit from a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance history.

• This testing method can track drug use for up to 90 days.
• Such extended tracking helps assure compliance and understanding of patterns in substance consumption.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests offer significant protection against sample tampering in Great Neck Plaza, NY.

• Unlike other testing methods, hair testing reduces the risk of sample adulteration.
• This ensures reliable results that are effective in maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with widespread testing centers available in Great Neck Plaza, NY. Nationwide, our locations provide accessible, quick, and hassle-free drug testing services.

• Local availability ensures testing can occur promptly and without undue difficulty.
• The broad network of centers simplifies logistics for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Great Neck Plaza, NY, the process for conducting hair follicle tests is simple and discreet.

• Ordering, testing, and result receipt are streamlined to ensure ease of use.
• Confidentiality is paramount, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Great Neck Plaza, NY, offers affordable and quick solutions.

• Our competitive pricing structure makes the tests accessible to companies of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround times ensure timely results, maximizing cost-effectiveness and providing peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Great Neck Plaza, NY, are unparalleled. Hair tests are adept at identifying substance use with remarkable speed and accuracy.

• Fast detection and evaluation ensure effective decision-making for employers.
• High precision minimizes false negatives and positives, thus facilitating a reliable testing experience.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Great Neck Plaza, NY, offers employers the confidence to enforce drug-free workplace policies.

• The tests help reduce legal risks associated with non-compliance.
• This creates a safer workplace, providing peace of mind through effective and enforceable policy adherence.

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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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