Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fox, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair stores a prolonged record of alcohol and various drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to obtain, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it’s specifically scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into the lab’s system. This process ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Despite Screening being a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use on most samples, a positive result needs Confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that are potentially positive during Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample is potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to Confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is 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 usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: Provides a timeline of drug usage over a duration, not limited to recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent intake: It needs about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally more costly than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: Though typically termed "hair follicle tests", the examination is of the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fox, AK, hair follicle testing effectively surpasses urine testing due to its superior detection efficiency. Hair tests reveal drug use over a more extended period, giving a comprehensive look at usage patterns, unlike the limited window of urine tests, enhancing their reliability in various contexts.

Employers benefit from a more thorough assessment of an individual’s history with substances, thus reducing the chances of missing long-term usage, which urine tests might overlook.

Extended Detection Window

In Fox, AK, hair follicle testing stands out for its extensive drug detection window, revealing substance use history up to 90 days. This prolonged period gives a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance usage, invaluable for employers assessing past behavior effectively.

This detection range is crucial for employers aiming to ensure a drug-free workplace by having an in-depth understanding of an employee's drug use patterns, contributing to safer work environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Fox, AK, drastically reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, offering dependable and credible results. The impossibility of easily altering hair samples fortifies the test's credibility and integrity in various testing scenarios.

This test type ensures the authenticity of results, providing huge assurance to employers who require unequivocal conclusions about drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With wide-reaching nationwide testing locations, including Fox, AK, Accredited Drug Testing provides easy and prompt access to hair follicle testing services. Our expansive center network ensures that drug testing is convenient and stress-free for all clients, regardless of their location.

This access eases the logistical concerns of testing, offering clients in various regions seamless service.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fox, AK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout each stage. From ordering to receiving results, the process respects client confidentiality, addressing critical privacy concerns and providing peace of mind.

The straightforward approach makes participation less daunting, ensuring that both employers and employees feel secure and respect the testing protocol.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Fox, AK, offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for companies large and small. Our cost-effective solutions make drug testing accessible while maintaining high service standards.

With swift response times, we deliver timely outcomes, further affirming our reputation for value and reliability among clients who prioritize effective and economical testing measures.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Fox, AK, provide fast and reliable results, making them ideal for detecting substance use with precision. The tests have high accuracy, identifying various drugs effectively, ensuring that any substance use is accurately reported within a reasonable time frame.

Through a streamlined process, hair follicle tests quickly deliver results, enabling employers to make informed decisions without delay. Their rapid and consistent results foster trust in the testing procedure.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fox, AK, achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal liabilities and enhances overall workplace safety and productivity by ensuring substance-free operations.

Implementing hair testing can also foster a healthier work environment, aligning with company values towards maintaining safety and legality, reassuring employers of their diligence in employee assessment.

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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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