Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Malverne Park Oaks, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers in the growing hair's fibers, hair offers a prolonged historical record of alcohol and drug use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for nearly 3 months. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. “Head hair” specifically refers to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses all other hair classifications (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory evaluates drug test outcomes through four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially inducted into the lab's system. This involves verifying the sample's secure sealing and dispatch, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data input that an electronic chain of custody system does not cover.

Screening offers a prompt preliminary check for substance abuse. Though Screening is cost-friendly for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive results must be validated to be legal in judicial settings. Samples that show presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample show preliminary positives at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are obtained from hair at concentrations far lower than those used in other procedures (like urine or oral fluid tests), which makes hair drug screening a notably challenging procedure.

Confirmation of any positives in the screening is undertaken via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can discern drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine testing, which has a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus increasing the precision of outcomes.
• Supplies historical data: It offers a consumption pattern over an extensive interval, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It typically takes drugs 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair hue and individual hair growth variations may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often named "hair follicle tests", the assessment itself scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Malverne Park Oaks, NY is clear when comparing detection capabilities. Hair tests display a superior accuracy rate, offering a more reliable snapshot of substance use. Unlike urine tests, which may capture variable data affected by recent intake, hair testing provides comprehensive data. Employers favor hair over urine for its ability to reveal consistent use over time.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a pivotal advantage of hair follicle testing in Malverne Park Oaks, NY. These tests capture a substance use history extending up to 90 days, offering a detailed view into a person's past behaviors. This makes hair testing invaluable for employers who need thorough insights into a candidate's or employee's drug use history, enhancing the evaluation processes significantly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resistance to Tampering is a noteworthy benefit of hair follicle testing in Malverne Park Oaks, NY. The nature of hair testing diminishes the potential for sample tampering, unlike other methods. The collection process is directly observed, enhancing the integrity and trustworthiness of the results. Employers gain peace of mind knowing the results they rely on are authentic and unaltered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations are available in Malverne Park Oaks, NY, supported by Accredited Drug Testing's expansive network. Nationwide facilities provide accessible options for quick and hassle-free hair follicle testing to meet a diverse set of needs. This widespread presence allows clients to access services effortlessly, making drug testing procedures smooth and stress-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Malverne Park Oaks, NY is inherently Simple and Confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, privacy is prioritized throughout. Clients are reassured by the secure and straightforward steps, emphasizing convenience without sacrificing confidentiality. This ensures a user-friendly experience for everyone involved in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Malverne Park Oaks, NY is synonymous with Affordable Pricing and Rapid Results. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses, regardless of scale, receive excellent value. The quick turnaround time not only accelerates decision-making processes but also enhances organizational efficiency. High value combined with swift outcomes defines our service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Malverne Park Oaks, NY, the reliability and speed of hair follicle drug testing provide an unbeatable edge. Hair tests are renowned for precision in detecting substances, ensuring dependable results every time. This method's quick turnaround makes it a preferred choice for many looking to rapidly verify substance use without compromising on accuracy. Efficiency and accuracy go hand-in-hand with hair follicle testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for employers in Malverne Park Oaks, NY is facilitated through hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies and minimizes legal exposure. By choosing hair testing, companies can effectively strengthen the safety and reliability of their environments, fostering a secure and drug-free workplace culture.

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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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