Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plandome Manor, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term timeline of these substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the continuously growing strand. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers a detection range of up to three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of nearly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial, rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Though Screening offers a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples presumed positive during Screening need subsequent verification.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than via other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

The Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleaned before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It charts a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detectability in hair takes roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Inconsistent results: Variations like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the arena of drug testing, hair follicle analysis in Plandome Manor, NY stands out over urine tests. This method is acclaimed for delivering superior detection precision and dependability. With a detection window of up to 90 days, it surpasses urine tests that only trace recent substance use. Its enhanced reliability assures employers, judicial bodies, and rehabilitation professionals of consistent results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Plandome Manor, NY offers a profound advantage: an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This duration grants employers a detailed insight into an individual's past substance use, allowing for a thorough evaluation of their history. Such a comprehensive view aids in making more informed judgments about potential or current employees' reliability and overall suitability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

For employers in Plandome Manor, NY, hair follicle testing provides a robust, tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. The testing process is designed to minimize possibilities of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain credible and undeniable. This enhances the overall trustworthiness of the test outcomes, offering companies a significant advantage in maintaining safe and reliable work environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Plandome Manor, NY and beyond, our drug testing centers span nationwide, offering unparalleled convenience. This extensive network guarantees swift, straightforward access to our testing facilities, empowering individuals and enterprises with hassle-free, easily accessible services. Such accessibility ensures that necessary testing processes are completed efficiently and without undue complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Plandome Manor, NY is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy and usability effectively. From test ordering to result receipt, every step is streamlined for ease. This approach ensures users' information remains private while delivering a hassle-free experience, thereby alleviating concerns about confidentiality and access.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Plandome Manor, NY, our hair follicle testing services emphasize affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. These competitive pricing structures offer exceptional value, ensuring businesses of all sizes can access timely and reliable drug testing results without financial strain. This approach serves to bolster confidence, reinforcing the value we provide with each test conducted.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug testing service available in Plandome Manor, NY ensures rapid and precise results. With its inherent accuracy, this method efficiently detects substance use, offering reliability that remains unmatched. The high precision provided by hair testing means employers and individuals can trust the integrity of the results, enabling informed decisions and peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Plandome Manor, NY gain peace of mind and compliance assurance through hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, facilitating reduced legal risks and promoting a secure work environment. Ensuring such standards not only enhances company safety but also reinforces the commitment to maintaining professional integrity within the workforce.

Drug Testing Near Plandome Manor, NY

Roslyn Estates, NY

Great Neck, NY

Thomaston, NY

Manorhaven, NY

Port Washington North, NY

Great Neck Gardens, NY

Munsey Park, NY

Manhasset, NY

Baxter Estates, NY

Flower Hill, NY

Plandome Heights, NY

Plandome, NY

Port Washington, 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