Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lansing, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a prolonged record of substances by capturing biomarkers in the fibers as the hair grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can provide up to a 3-month detection window for drugs and alcohol. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect amount for testing and verification. For EtG, extended panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair might be used. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The fundamental phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This process involves confirming the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs to be verified to be legally acceptable. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening demand subsequent confirmation.

If a sample exhibits presumptive positive results in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the primary sample to prepare for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most intricate methodologies.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter period.
• Difficulty to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Supplies historical insights: It can reveal patterns of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Does not detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", the examination assesses the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing in Lansing, NY, hair follicle testing proves superior over traditional urine tests. This method offers precise detection of substance use, providing results that are both reliable and accurate. Compared to urine testing, hair follicle tests cover a more extensive detection window.

A significant advantage of hair follicle over urine testing is the advanced detection capabilities. Hair tests trace longer drug use periods, helping employers uphold strict drug-free policies and maintain a safe work environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lansing, NY offers a considerable detection window of up to 90 days, benefiting employers with thorough insights into an applicant's or staff member's drug history. This expansive timeframe surpasses traditional methods, allowing for comprehensive assessments.

The extended detection period provided by hair tests means businesses gain a more detailed understanding of substance use patterns. This in-depth evaluation assists in making informed decisions regarding hiring and continued employment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lansing, NY, hair follicle tests serve as a tamper-resistant drug testing method, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures the integrity of test results, offering reliable outcomes that are difficult to dispute or manipulate.

The secure nature of hair testing lends itself to trustworthy and verifiable results. By minimizing opportunities for tampering, it provides businesses with the confidence that they are making decisions based on accurate data reflective of true substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers across the nation and locally in Lansing, NY, drug testing becomes accessible and straightforward. Our widespread locations guarantee swift and uncomplicated service, minimizing any procedural stress for individuals and businesses seeking testing services.

The availability of nationwide centers simplifies the testing process, ensuring no matter where you are, these essential services are within reach. Localized solutions provide accessibility and ease, contributing to a streamlined user experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lansing, NY, the process for hair follicle drug testing is both simple and confidential. Those requiring tests can expect a straightforward procedure from order to result, ensuring privacy and trust throughout the entire process.

The discreet nature of hair follicle testing addresses concerns about confidentiality. By maintaining privacy, individuals feel secure and respected, reinforcing trust in the testing procedure and its outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Lansing, NY provides affordable hair follicle testing solutions combined with swift turnaround times. Competitive pricing ensures all company sizes can access quality testing without compromising their budget, highlighting excellent value.

Coupling cost-effective options with quick results, businesses benefit from reliable data promptly. This combination bolsters decision-making capabilities, while ensuring excellence in service without excessive expenditure.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lansing, NY, hair follicle tests deliver quick and precise results. Their high accuracy in identifying drug consumption makes them the go-to method for individuals and companies alike. Users benefit from the test’s reliability and efficiency, ensuring substance use is accurately detected and addressed promptly.

The speed of hair follicle testing ensures individuals and entities do not have to wait long for essential information. This fast process is pivotal for swift decision-making, contributing to the enhanced operational capabilities of businesses engaging in drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lansing, NY, hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind. Utilizing this method adheres to workplace drug-free policies, diminishing potential legal risks while improving overall workplace safety and culture.

The use of drug-testing solutions like hair follicle analysis reinforces corporate adherence to safety regulations. This commitment leads to enhanced harmony in the work environment, fostering a sense of security among both employees and employers.

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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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