Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bettles, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. If obtained near the scalp, hair samples can offer roughly a 3-month detection span for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to adulteration, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hairs (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or evaluations above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In the event scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps involved in lab processing for drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial management of a sample within a lab’s framework. This step includes assuring that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input absent in an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug intake in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that are presumed positive during Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample is presumed positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge in methodology.

Confirmation for any positive screen is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection window.
• Hard to tamper with: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thus ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides chronological data: It can chart a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not able to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Discrepancies in results: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing triumphs over urine tests in Bettles, AK, due to its superior detection span. While urine tests are more common, hair analysis provides a clearer historical perspective by identifying drug usage over a longer period.

This method distinctly captures a broader timeline of substance use, offering employers a robust alternative to the conventional urine test, which more accurately reflects short-term use.

Extended Detection Window

In Bettles, AK, the extended detection window of hair follicle tests is a key attribute. They capture drug use spanning up to 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

This extended observation window allows for a thorough understanding of an employee's commitment to a drug-free lifestyle, invaluable for long-term assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Bettles, AK, significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other methods, this test's reliability stems from its resistance to manipulation, delivering unquestionable results.

The robust nature of hair testing ensures that collected samples reflect genuine substance use, safeguarding the integrity of the evaluation process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations nationwide, and in Bettles, AK, our testing centers ensure hassle-free access. Accredited Drug Testing provides quick and efficient services, making the testing process seamless and straightforward.

Wherever you are, our expansive network guarantees that comprehensive testing facilities are just around the corner, facilitating uninterrupted service for clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Bettles, AK, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease, easing concerns and ensuring discretion.

Our streamlined approach assures participants of a respectful experience, maintaining confidentiality while delivering accurate outcomes promptly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bettles, AK, we offer hair follicle testing that stands out with its economical pricing and rapid turnaround. Our competitive rates ensure superior value for organizations of all sizes.

Fast processing times mean employers can quickly access results, allowing for timely decision-making without compromising on quality or service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bettles, AK, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed. Known for their high accuracy, they reveal substance use efficiently. This method ensures quick results, elevating reliability levels to new heights.

Fast and accurate, hair follicle assessments tackle the complexity of substance detection. Their robust design captures traces others might miss, ensuring trustworthy outcomes for employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Bettles, AK employers, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind and legal compliance. By adhering to drug-free policies, businesses reduce legal liabilities while ensuring a safe working environment.

Employing this testing method aligns with industry standards, enhancing organizational safety and promoting trust within the workplace.

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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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