Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Livengood, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for detecting substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair strands capture long-term indicators of substance use by enclosing biomarkers within the hairs as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair samples are easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A recommended sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) obtained nearest the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair, suitable for testing and confirmation. For EtG and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean only hair on the scalp. Body hair includes all other types such as facial, underarm, etc.

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This phase corroborates that the sample was securely sealed and properly dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Screening is a cost-efficient means of excluding drug use in most samples, but any positive findings must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples yielding a positive result during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much finer concentrations than found in other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening exceptionally challenging.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with preliminary positive results undergo washing as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Hard to tamper with: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, increasing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: Hair tests can portray a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Can't detect recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Livengood, AK

• Hair testing offers superior accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests, detecting drugs for up to 90 days.
• Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests eliminate risks of sample tampering, ensuring dependable results.
• Hair tests are less invasive and can be conveniently conducted in a professional and secure manner.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Livengood, AK

• Hair follicle testing offers a window of up to 90 days for drug detection.
• Employers can gain a fuller understanding of an applicant's past substance use.
• The comprehensive results assist in making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Livengood, AK

• Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering and adulteration.
• The method provides trustworthy and indisputable test outcomes.
• Secure testing processes further protect against fraudulent activities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Livengood, AK

• Our extensive network of testing centers covers all major cities nationwide.
• Livengood's local facilities ensure easy and accessible testing services.
• Benefit from seamless scheduling and minimal waiting times.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Livengood, AK

• Our process respects privacy, ensuring confidential and secure testing.
• Ordering and receiving results is straightforward and user-friendly.
• Clients can confidently handle tests without concerns over data security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Livengood, AK

• Competitive pricing makes hair testing cost-effective for businesses.
• Rapid results delivery adds value and helps in swift decision-making.
• Our affordable solutions cater to companies looking to balance cost and quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Livengood, AK

• Hair follicle drug tests provide quick results without compromising precision.
• The high accuracy in identifying substances makes them a reliable choice.
• Speed and dependability in detection make hair tests suitable for urgent and sensitive testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Livengood, AK

• Hair testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal issues.
• Improves safety and maintains a drug-free environment at the workplace.
• Helps in upholding compliance with regulatory standards, boosting employer confidence.

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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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