Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hogatza, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a highly effective method for unveiling alcohol and drug consumption. Hair fibers capture a prolonged record of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When samples are collected near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol use within an approximately 90-day period. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising around 200 strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter) taken near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, suitable for both initial screening and confirmatory purposes. For EtG tests or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. The term "head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective means to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a specimen tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid); this complexity makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to cheat: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, leading to more reliable results.
• Yields historical data: It can demonstrate a trend in drug usage over time, not only recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing frequently outperforms urine tests in Hogatza, AK. Offering superior detection accuracy, it provides reliable results that urine tests can't match.

The extended detection period and difficulty in tampering make hair testing a preferred choice, offering comprehensive insights into drug use history over traditional urine analysis.

Extended Detection Window

With an impressive 90-day detection window, hair follicle tests in Hogatza, AK, provide a broader insight into an individual’s drug use history.

This extended period allows employers to gain a more comprehensive view of their employees' or applicants' past substance use than shorter-term testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration in Hogatza, AK, ensuring reliable outcomes. This method stands out as nearly cheat-proof.

With stringent collection processes, it’s harder to manipulate results, offering trustworthy and unquestionable conclusions for all stakeholders involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers spread across the nation, including in Hogatza, AK, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to services.

Clients benefit from nationwide and local locations that provide quick, efficient, and hassle-free testing services catering to all logistical needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hogatza, AK, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results, ensuring privacy is respected.

Clients will find the process straightforward, addressing concerns about confidentiality and ease of use, thereby making it an accessible option for all users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift results in Hogatza, AK, providing excellent value for companies.

Our affordable structure and fast turnaround times ensure businesses of all sizes receive dependable services that offer peace of mind with no compromise on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hogatza, AK, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. These tests offer a high level of accuracy in detecting substance usage, providing reliable results swiftly.

The method delivers fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes, making it ideal for immediate decision-making. Such efficiency ensures that users get dependable insights into drug consumption patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Hogatza, AK secures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks.

Employers gain peace of mind, knowing this testing method reinforces safety and complies with regulations while helping maintain drug-free environments.

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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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