Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plandome, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have evolved into a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term account of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively secure from tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen weight. If scalp hair is not on hand, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test comprises four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial processing phase where a sample is entered into a laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was securely sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary drug abuse check. Although Screening serves as an economical way to discount drug use in the majority of samples, to be valid in judicial contexts, a positive screen requires confirmation. Any samples with presumptive positive results from Screening must undergo a further confirmation process.

If a sample returns a presumptive positive during the Screening stage, more hair from the original specimen is prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at notably lower levels than in other forms (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques to execute.

Final confirmation of any positive Screening result involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior as necessary for confirmation. The entire analytical workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair assessing can detect drugs for up to 90 days, while urine exams have a shorter span.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insights: It furnishes a pattern of drug use across time, not just immediate usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot discern recent usage: Drugs typically take about 5-7 days to become detectible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur more costs than other testing alternatives.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite common references to "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair shaft and not the root area beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Plandome, NY outshines urine testing with its superior detection capabilities. Employers stand to gain from its accuracy and reliability.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing offers an extended detection period, making it an invaluable tool for employers enforcing strict drug-free policies.

While urine tests may fail to catch long-term drug use, hair tests provide comprehensive insights, ensuring no substance goes undetected within its 90-day window.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Plandome, NY is unrivaled in its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period. Its extensive 90-day detection makes it a preferred choice for employers.

Providing a detailed analysis of a person's substance history, hair testing is essential for those needing a thorough evaluation of an applicant or employee's past drug use.

Employers benefit from hair tests by obtaining a complete view of potential hires, ensuring a safer, drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Plandome, NY, hair testing stands as a tamper-resistant drug testing method, minimizing the chances of sample adulteration.

This approach ensures the integrity of the process, providing results that are reliable and beyond question.

Employers find peace of mind knowing that hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of manipulation, offering tests that are virtually cheat-proof.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers testing locations nationwide, and in Plandome, NY, convenience is paramount.

With numerous centers, accessing our hair testing services is quick and hassle-free, accommodating busy schedules.

Our widespread presence ensures that whether local or national, testing is done efficiently, enhancing our service's accessibility and effectiveness.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair testing in Plandome, NY is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease for all involved.

Ordering and taking the test is straightforward, with results communicated confidentially, addressing any privacy concerns thoroughly.

Hair follicle testing is designed to be user-friendly, offering a seamless experience while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair testing services in Plandome, NY, provide competitive pricing and quick results, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Affordable costs combined with fast turnaround times make hair testing an attractive option, offering excellent value without compromising quality.

Companies benefit from economical testing solutions, ensuring speedy results and financial savings.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, accurate, and reliable are the hallmarks of hair follicle drug testing in Plandome, NY. These tests swiftly deliver precise results, ensuring substance use is detected accurately.

Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, hair follicle tests quickly determine the presence of drugs or alcohol, offering almost immediate clarity for employers and individuals alike.

For those seeking trustworthy outcomes, hair follicle testing provides peace of mind with reliable data, maintaining accuracy throughout the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Plandome, NY ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, providing employers with peace of mind.

This method reduces legal risks, enhances safety, and assures adherence to regulations, benefiting both employers and employees.

Hair testing supports maintaining a safe environment, reinforcing a commitment to a secure workplace and reducing liability concerns.

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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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