Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marshall, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can supply a detection period of about three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipment.

A segment of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional analysis, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. In this context, head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in a drug test result's laboratory analysis are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to hold up in legal contexts. Samples that indicate a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample report a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screen undergoes verification using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests are capable of identifying drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Resistant to cheating: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Delivers historical insights: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over a prolonged period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days before they become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Marshall, AK, hair follicle tests surpass urine tests regarding detection accuracy and reliability. The advanced testing method provides superior insights into substance use, crucial for maintaining a safe environment.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests offer a more comprehensive view by detecting a broader timeframe of substance usage, thus providing a concrete assessment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Marshall, AK, excels through a detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers an extensive look into an individual's substance use history. This expanded timeframe is instrumental in comprehensive evaluations.

Employers leveraging hair tests benefit from a detailed understanding of an employee's past substance interactions, which aids in making informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests, offered in Marshall, AK, dramatically minimize risks of tampering, ensuring the integrity of results. This makes it a trustworthy method for acquiring authentic information on substance use.

The resistance to adulteration associated with hair testing provides accurate data, fostering confidence in the honesty of the tested samples, crucial for maintaining policy standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible testing centers across Marshall, AK, and nationwide ensure that obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and stress-free. Our widespread presence facilitates easy access to essential testing services.

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations, enabling individuals and businesses to access professional drug testing services without excessive travel or inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for acquiring a hair follicle test in Marshall, AK, is streamlined and private. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to ensure ease and discretion, safeguarding personal information.

Our clear, confidential procedure addresses any privacy concerns and ensures a hassle-free experience, reinforcing our commitment to user-friendly services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for their hair follicle testing in Marshall, AK. Companies can enjoy valuable services without a financial burden.

Offering fast results along with cost-effective solutions allows businesses of any size to manage their testing needs efficiently, delivering both peace of mind and economic benefits.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Marshall, AK, makes it a leading option for detecting substance use. Its high accuracy ensures reliable results rapidly, fostering trust among employers and individuals alike.

By employing hair follicle tests, Accredited Drug Testing guarantees the timely delivery of results without sacrificing accuracy. This contributes to informed decision-making and upholds workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Marshall, AK, hair follicle testing provides assurance and compliance with drug-free policies. It significantly reduces legal risks while promoting a safer, substance-free workplace.

This testing form helps organizations uphold standards, ensuring that their compliance practices align with regulatory and risk management needs effectively, leading to peace of mind.

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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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