Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Palisades, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying substance use. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers an approximate three-month detection period for both alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hairs (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample quantity of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we are specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair includes all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab handling of a drug screen are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system, confirming it was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data requirements absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial swift test for drugs. While Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug consumption in most samples, any positive findings need validating to hold up in court. Samples that are initially positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original batch and set for Extraction. During this phase, drug compounds are isolated from hair at a far lower concentration than in other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Validation of any screening-positive result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in deception: It's extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can indicate a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Palisades, NY, presents distinct advantages over urine tests, offering sharper accuracy and dependability. This method unveils even slight drug traces over a prolonged period while maintaining stringent reliability standards. Traditional urine tests fail to rival the extensive evidence collected through hair sampling.

• Enhanced accuracy.
• Longer detection periods.
• Greater reliability.

Extended Detection Window

In Palisades, NY, hair follicle testing is distinguished by its capability to reveal drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days, offering employers a thorough perspective on an individual's past substance use. This opens a window to a person's drug history that far exceeds short-term detection methods.

• Long-term overview.
• Detailed substance history.
• 90-day detection.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Palisades, NY, is its resistance to tampering. This testing method virtually eliminates risks of sample adulteration, ensuring that results gathered are trusted and legal dilemmas are avoided.

• Minimization of tampering.
• Secure sample integrity.
• Unquestionable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a broad network of testing centers in Palisades, NY, and across the nation, Accredited Drug Testing provides a convenient, accessible platform for individuals and employers to initiate drug testing. Our strategically placed facilities enable swift, trouble-free services, making drug testing straightforward and effective.

• Nationwide centers.
• Convenient locations.
• Effortless access.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Palisades, NY, initiating and receiving results from a hair follicle testing is seamless and private. The process safeguards confidentiality, ensuring client details remain secure, easing privacy concerns.

• Simplified procedure.
• Guaranteed privacy.
• Confidential results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing service in Palisades, NY, combines competitive pricing and swift outcome delivery, assuring companies receive excellent value and efficient results. This provides peace of mind for organizations seeking cost-effective drug screening solutions.

• Competitive rates.
• Fast results.
• Excellent value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests conducted in Palisades, NY, epitomize speed and accuracy in substance detection. They deliver consistent, reliable results which are crucial for employers seeking to uphold drug-free workplaces. The precision offered surpasses traditional methods, efficiently unveiling evidence of drug use.

• Swift processing times.
• Consistent outcomes.
• High detection accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Palisades, NY, benefit significantly from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free protocols and fostering a safer work environment. By employing this method, organizations reduce legal liabilities and improve workplace safety.

• Improved compliance.
• Reduced legal risks.
• Enhanced employee safety.

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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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