Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nissequogue, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to adulterate, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample quantity for testing and confirming. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. When discussing head hair, this strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning covers the initial process of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid detection of drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in court. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is derived from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory 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 for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Low likelihood of cheating: It is exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Provides longitudinal data: It can reflect a pattern of drug use over a span of time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Nissequogue, NY, hair testing emerges as the superior choice. It offers unparalleled detection accuracy, ensuring reliable results over traditional methods. The extended detection window surpasses that of urine tests, catching drug use that might otherwise go unnoticed, making it a preferred option for thorough substance monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers significant benefits in Nissequogue, NY. It provides a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history over a period of up to 90 days. Employers can gather comprehensive information, aiding in making informed decisions about potential hires or current employees and enhancing the workplace's overall safety and productivity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Nissequogue, NY, is renowned for being tamper-resistant. The method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, offering dependable, unquestionable results. This enhances credibility and trust in the testing process, ensuring that the outcomes are reliable and aiding organizations in maintaining strict compliance with drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide, including those in Nissequogue, NY, accessing drug testing services is convenient and effortless. These locations provide fast, hassle-free testing experiences, saving time and reducing stress. Employers and individuals alike benefit from the accessibility and efficiency of our extensive network of testing centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle drug testing in Nissequogue, NY, is straightforward and confidential. From scheduling the test to receiving the results, the entire procedure is designed with privacy in mind. Clients can anticipate a seamless experience, ensuring that personal information and results are handled with the utmost care and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Nissequogue, NY, hair follicle drug testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. This provides exceptional value for companies of varying sizes, ensuring they receive high-quality results without exceeding budget constraints. The timely delivery of results allows businesses to make informed decisions promptly, ensuring operational continuity.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Nissequogue, NY, hair follicle drug testing is notable for its precision and rapidity. This method excels in quickly delivering highly accurate results, efficiently identifying substance use. The meticulous testing process ensures that results are both reliable and timely, crucial for those in need of fast and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Nissequogue, NY, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing due to its alignment with workplace compliance standards. By utilizing such rigorous testing methods, companies can minimize legal risks and bolster workplace safety. This proactive approach not only ensures adherence to drug-free policies but also fosters a safer, more productive work environment.

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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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