Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodbury, NY

What it is, How it works

The method of hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair reveals a comprehensive history of drug intake by integrating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. If taken near the scalp, the hair sample can reveal substance use for up to around three months. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and hassle-free to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the ideal weight for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, it's best to use 150mg of hair. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is missing, a corresponding amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (like facial, armpit hair, etc.).

Process Overview

The core phases in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about the initial handling of a sample in the lab's system. This step checks the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns it an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data input not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening serves as a preliminary, efficient check for illicit substances. Although Screening is economical for dismissing drug presence across most samples, positive results in Screening require confirmation for legal acceptance. Screening-identifying potentially positive samples must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should Screening suggest a sample is positive, additional hair is sourced from the original collection for Extraction. At this point, substances are drawn from hair at notably lower levels than alternative methods (such as urine or saliva), positioning hair drug testing as a demanding methodology.

Results indicating positivity in Screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Such positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. Each phase from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and is accredited by ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug testing allows detecting substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug testing resists deception, enhancing result accuracy.
• Captures usage patterns: Through tracking drug use habits over extended periods, it surpasses just indicating recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Diverse results: Hair color and individual hair growth differences may impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Woodbury, NY, hair follicle testing for drugs offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing methods. One key benefit is its longer detection period. Hair testing can trace drug use up to 90 days prior, providing a comprehensive view that urine tests lack. This extended window is crucial for employers aiming to keep their workplace drug-free, as detected drug traces in the hair can't be altered, unlike urine samples.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Woodbury, NY provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This long span means employers can gain a comprehensive insight into an individual’s drug history, far beyond what urine tests offer. By accessing a broader historical view, employers can make well-informed decisions about current or potential employees, enhancing workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Woodbury, NY, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for drug testing. Unlike urine tests that can be adulterated with relative ease, hair tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. As the collection process is observed and the samples are difficult to alter, it ensures reliable and unquestionable results, providing peace of mind for both testers and subjects alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Woodbury, NY benefits from the convenience of our extensive network of testing centers. With locations nationwide, and local facilities available, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. This accessibility means individuals and companies can schedule tests at their convenience, ensuring that compliance and testing needs are met with minimal disruption or travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Woodbury, NY, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, we prioritize user privacy and ease of use. This ensures a seamless experience free from undue stress, allowing individuals and employers to focus on the results rather than the logistics of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in Woodbury, NY, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing with a fast turnaround time. This not only provides excellent value but also ensures companies of all sizes can access reliable drug testing services. Our commitment to affordable cost structures means you can achieve peace of mind without financial strain, maintaining compliance efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For those in Woodbury, NY, seeking dependable drug testing, hair follicle tests offer a fast, accurate, and highly reliable option. These tests boast precision unparalleled by other methods, ensuring that any substance use is effectively detected. The quick processing time doesn't compromise accuracy, making it an optimal choice for individuals and businesses seeking definitive results in the shortest time possible.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Woodbury, NY can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method aids businesses in mitigating legal risks while promoting a safer work environment. Employers can rest assured that hair testing aligns with best practice standards, reducing uncertainties and fostering a culture of safety within the organization.

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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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