Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kent, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair can capture a comprehensive history of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), taken nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests that exceed 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If there's no scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental steps in laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial setup of a sample in a laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial fast check for drugs of abuse. While screening is a cost-efficient manner to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to be valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive in screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: It is very challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, leading to more precise results.
• Provides historical insight: It reveals patterns of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often known as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair and urine testing, hair follicle tests in Kent, NY, showcase superior detection capabilities. Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests with a broader detection window and greater accuracy. This testing method provides a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use, making it an invaluable tool for employers and legal entities seeking dependable and effective testing solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Employing hair follicle testing in Kent, NY, allows employers to trace drug usage over an extended period of up to 90 days, far surpassing the reach of urine tests. This broader time frame gives a detailed view of an individual's substance habits, aiding employers in making informed decisions about potential hires or current employees, thereby mitigating risks effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Kent, NY, hair follicle testing is highly resistant to tampering. This robust testing method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing reliable, incontrovertible results. Its design ensures sample integrity, offering peace of mind to employers who need trustworthy data to maintain their zero-tolerance substance policies and safeguard their workplace environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers in Kent, NY, are part of a nationwide network, ensuring easy and convenient access to drug testing services. This extensive network facilitates quick and hassle-free testing experiences, underlining our commitment to accessibility and efficiency. With numerous testing sites readily available, we ensure testing services remain within reach for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Kent, NY, our hair follicle testing process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is straightforward and respects client privacy. We address privacy concerns effectively, ensuring a discreet experience that offers peace of mind while maintaining ease of use and reliability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid results, our hair follicle testing services in Kent, NY, deliver exceptional value for companies of all sizes. The cost-effective nature of our services combined with fast turnaround times enables businesses to receive timely, reliable data without straining their budgets, contributing to overall operational efficiency and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kent, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer speedy and precise results. This high level of accuracy ensures reliable detection of substance use. Fast results allow for quick decision-making, which is crucial for maintaining safety and compliance. The process is efficient, providing dependable outcomes without delays, helping organizations maintain a drug-free environment effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free regulations is seamless with hair follicle testing in Kent, NY. This reliable testing method diminishes legal risks and enhances workplace safety, giving employers peace of mind as they uphold their organizational standards. Adopting hair testing helps to ensure a safe, compliant, and efficient workplace environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Kent, NY

East Fishkill, NY

Pawling, NY

Putnam Lake, NY

Mahopac, NY

Southeast, NY

Brewster, NY

Brewster Hill, NY

Patterson, NY

Carmel, NY

Carmel Hamlet, NY

Lake Carmel, NY

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews