Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Moriches, NY

What it is, How it works

Seen as a robust instrument in identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand. When collected close to the scalp, hair offers a broad detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Its collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch lock of around 200 strands (approximately akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100mg, considered the ideal specimen for screening and verification. For EtG, specialized tests, and analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a proportionate quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" exclusively refers to scalp hair here, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test sample constitutes four pivotal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the preliminary processing of a specimen into a laboratory's framework. This involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched aptly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid appraisal for drugs of misuse. While being a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive Screening must be confirmed to sustain in legal settings. Samples tentatively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For presumptively positive samples post-Screening, additional hair is derived from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most intricate technique to implement.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing as required prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with narrower detection periods.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, rendering results more reliable.
• Delivers historical information: It offers a utilization pattern over an extended duration, not merely showing recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent consumption: Drugs become traceable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Results variability: Factors such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth disparities can influence drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing in Moriches, NY, is evident in their enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a significant advantage with their extended detection period. This gives a broader outlook on substance use history compared to urine tests, which are limited to recent use. Additionally, hair tests reduce the risk of tampering, offering more reliable data for critical decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing stands out in Moriches, NY, for its ability to detect drug use over an extended duration—up to 90 days. This long detection window allows employers to assess an individual's drug use history comprehensively. By capturing a wider timeframe, hair tests offer a clearer, more complete picture of an applicant or employee's substance habits, unlike shorter-duration tests which may miss extended use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

With significantly reduced tampering risks, hair follicle tests in Moriches, NY, offer unwavering reliability. The nature of hair samples makes it challenging to alter results, unlike other testing methods susceptible to adulteration. By delivering precise and trustworthy outcomes, these tests uphold integrity and confidence, ensuring that results remain beyond dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers nationwide testing locations, including convenient centers in Moriches, NY. This extensive network ensures easy and hassle-free access to testing services. Whether local or across the country, our facilities provide quick and seamless testing solutions, making the process efficient for both employers and individuals seeking reliable drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplicity and confidentiality define the drug testing process in Moriches, NY. From ordering to receiving results, the steps are straightforward and protect individual privacy. Our procedure is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained, addressing any concerns about personal data security, and making the testing experience stress-free from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Moriches, NY, benefits from competitive pricing and a fast turnaround in hair follicle drug testing. Our pricing structures are designed to be affordable, providing excellent value across various company sizes. With rapid result processing, organizations enjoy timely feedback, enhancing decision-making processes while ensuring budget-friendly options for drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Moriches, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid, accurate, and dependable results. The precision of these tests in identifying substance use sets them apart from standard testing methods.
Fast Results: Hair tests provide timely outcomes, swiftly informing stakeholders about an individual's drug use status.
High Detection Accuracy: Through advanced technology, hair testing ensures high levels of accuracy, reducing the likelihood of false positives or negatives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Moriches, NY, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing for drug-free policies. This testing method helps maintain workplace safety and reduce legal liabilities. Adhering to compliance through accurate drug testing fosters a safer work environment, mitigating risks and enhancing overall corporate welfare by minimizing the possibility of substance abuse incidents.

Drug Testing Near Moriches, NY

Bellport, NY

North Bellport, NY

Speonk, NY

Yaphank, NY

Eastport, NY

Remsenburg, NY

West Hampton Dunes, NY

Brookhaven, NY

Manorville, NY

East Moriches, NY

Mastic Beach, NY

Shirley, NY

Center Moriches, NY

Mastic, 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