Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Lindenhurst, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a strong instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 90-day detection period for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg is needed. It's advised to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types including facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results mainly involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other required data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening mandates confirmation for court validity, with further verification being necessary for any presumptive positive samples.

For presumptive positive results in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirming any positive result from Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples marked presumptive positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. The whole process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screenings can capture drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine screenings which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to circumvent: It is incredibly challenging to bypass a hair drug screening, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Provides historical usage: It gives a timeline of drug usage over an interval, rather than merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot capture recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings are usually more costly than other testing forms.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in hair samples.

Note: Despite commonly being termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in North Lindenhurst, NY due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer more reliable results given their longer detection window. Whereas urine tests might miss recent drug use, hair samples provide a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, enabling employers to make informed decisions. Hair tests ensure accuracy unmatched by traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in North Lindenhurst, NY gives employers a strategic advantage. With the ability to identify drug use up to 90 days prior, this method provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance habits. Extended detection periods mean evidence of sustained behavior, ensuring that employers can trust the integrity of their workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in North Lindenhurst, NY significantly reduce the risk of tampering, offering reliable results. Unlike other methods, hair testing is resistant to adulteration, providing peace of mind for employers who need trustworthy data. The secure nature of these tests ensures that results are unquestionable, maintaining their integrity throughout the collection and evaluation process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With widespread availability, our testing locations in North Lindenhurst, NY offer convenience nationwide. Our extensive network of centers ensures that you have access to testing facilities with ease, minimizing wait times and disruptions. Finding a location nearby is simple and hassle-free, making the process seamless for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in North Lindenhurst, NY remains simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step respects privacy, providing users with ease of mind. The straightforward approach ensures that individuals maintain control over their information while ensuring efficient handling of test requests.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in North Lindenhurst, NY features affordable pricing and quick turnaround. Companies of any size can benefit from competitive pricing structures, enjoying excellent value without compromising quality. Fast result processing further enhances customer satisfaction, creating a reliable option for all testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in North Lindenhurst, NY offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision with which these tests identify substance use is remarkable. Quick processing ensures that individuals and employers receive outcomes without delays, streamlining decision-making processes. This rapid turnaround time goes hand in hand with high accuracy, making it a preferred choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in North Lindenhurst, NY can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. By integrating this method, businesses align with drug-free policies effortlessly, reducing legal risks. Additionally, using hair testing to maintain workplace safety ensures a secure environment, fostering trust and productivity among employees.

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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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