Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wheatley Heights, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches from about 200 hairs (similar to a #2 pencil thickness) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four basic stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial introduction of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that preliminarily test positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other techniques (for example, urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening confirmations are performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing prior to Confirmation if needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed in adherence to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which present a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: It's extremely hard to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It offers a pattern of drug use over time rather than pinpointing only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become identifiable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests in numerous ways in Wheatley Heights, NY. A major advantage is the extended detection window, capturing drug use over months rather than days. This offers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance use history.

Another benefit is the consistency and reliability of hair tests. While urine tests can be tampered with, hair testing offers results less susceptible to contamination. This ensures that results remain trustworthy, providing employers with greater assurance.

Extended Detection Window

Providing an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Wheatley Heights, NY, reveals drug use over a far longer period of up to 90 days. Employers gain valuable insights into an individual’s behavior with this prolonged observation.

With this extended examination period, employers can assess a candidate’s commitment to a drug-free lifestyle effectively. It offers a detailed look into historic substance usage, aiding in more informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests greatly reduce the risk of sample alteration in Wheatley Heights, NY. Unlike urine tests, which are easier to manipulate, hair testing provides a robust mechanism against tampering.

The supervised collection and rigorous handling protocols make hair testing results reliable and difficult to contest. This tamper-resistant method guarantees confidence in the outcomes, vital for maintaining workplace integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our Wheatley Heights, NY, and nationwide testing centers provide convenience with accessible locations for drug testing. Whether local or in other cities, our network offers an easy route to get tested.

Fast and hassle-free testing processes ensure that individuals and employers can access our services without complications. With numerous testing centers, efficient drug testing is always within reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Wheatley Heights, NY, the hair follicle testing process is simple and maintains strict confidentiality. Ordering and receiving results is straightforward, with privacy prioritized.

The ease of use in our testing procedures ensures users feel confident and secure that their personal information remains protected. This commitment to confidentiality enhances trust in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, our Wheatley Heights, NY, hair follicle testing services provide value and quick turnarounds. This affordability does not compromise the quality and thoroughness of results.

Our efficient service ensures results are delivered promptly, important for employers needing fast, reliable data on substance use. The combination of cost-efficiency and speed makes it a preferred choice for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wheatley Heights, NY, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its speed and precision. The process delivers rapid and reliable results, offering a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use. Quick results paired with detailed insights make it an optimal choice for immediate and effective evaluation.

With fast turnaround times, hair testing ensures timely insights. Its efficiency in processing results means employers and individuals receive accurate data promptly, aiding in quick decision-making processes. The accuracy of hair tests translates to confidence in the findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Wheatley Heights, NY, ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, thereby minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. Its adoption supports adherence to zero-tolerance drug use regulations.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their testing methods are thorough and legally sound. This compliance approach reduces potential liabilities while promoting a safe and drug-free working 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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