Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plainfield, VT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective technique for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair holds a detailed chronology of alcohol and narcotics by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the enlarging hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, manipulation is somewhat challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses confirming the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and concluding any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be permissible in a legal setting. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to conduct.

A positive screening conclusion demands Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when 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 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is tough, enhancing result precision.
• Offers historical insights: It delineates a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can impact the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands superior to urine testing in Plainfield, VT. The longer detection window and enhanced accuracy of hair tests make them a preferred choice for employers and professionals seeking reliability. By providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

In Plainfield, VT, the extended detection window of hair follicle tests offers an advantage. Employers gain insights into substance use over a span of 90 days, presenting a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history. This prolonged detection period ensures a more thorough background check than most testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Plainfield, VT, offers a tamper-resistant method that significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. By ensuring reliable and indisputable results, these tests maintain integrity and accuracy, providing peace of mind for employers and judicial authorities who require precise testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers across Plainfield, VT, and nationwide ensures convenience and accessibility. Offering quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the testing process, accommodating various needs promptly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Plainfield, VT, offers a streamlined and confidential hair follicle testing process. Clients can order, conduct tests, and receive results swiftly while maintaining privacy. This user-friendly approach addresses privacy concerns and ensures a smooth and discreet testing experience for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Plainfield, VT, present an excellent value for businesses of any size. By providing affordable and efficient drug testing services, we ensure that companies can maintain workplace safety without incurring substantial costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Plainfield, VT, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate results. Their precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, offering a reliable assessment that helps in decision-making. These tests not only provide a thorough analysis but do so with remarkable speed, ensuring timely and dependable results in various scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Plainfield, VT, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, this method not only abides by regulations but also cultivates a safe and secure environment for all employees.

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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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