Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Olnes, AK

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand, offering a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage. When taken from near the scalp, hair can present nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. In the case of EtG, additional testing, or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. In reference to head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair pertains to all other varieties of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial handling within a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration much lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening an exceptionally challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation, as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation receives oversight under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as much as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeline.
• Challenging to cheat: It is extremely hard to deceive a hair drug test, thus yielding more reliable results.
• Reveals historical usage data: It can indicate a pattern of drug use over a duration, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test assesses the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Olnes, AK, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering longer detection times and greater accuracy. Hair tests can identify drug use over an extended period, making them ideal for employers needing reliable screening methods.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests are far superior in terms of tamper-resistance and long-term detection. Employers gain a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use, providing a robust foundation for workplace safety policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Olnes, AK, offers a considerable advantage with its extended detection window. By evaluating hair samples, employers can trace drug usage back up to 90 days, providing a thorough substance history.

This extensive detection period grants employers insight into an applicant's or employee's long-term substance use habits, serving as a critical tool in maintaining a drug-free workplace and making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Olnes, AK, significantly reduces the possibility of sample tampering. The strategic collection and testing procedures ensure the reliability of results, fostering trust in their accuracy.

Because hair samples are collected under strict observation and analyzed with precision, any form of adulteration becomes virtually impossible. This tamper-resistant nature of hair tests provides employers with indisputable evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Olnes, AK, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with numerous testing centers nationwide. This extensive network allows for easy access to testing services, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Our local availability means quicker access to necessary tests, providing individuals and employers with a straightforward process for meeting their substance testing needs promptly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Olnes, AK, remains simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, all aspects are designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use.

Employers and individuals can trust in this streamlined process, which prioritizes confidentiality and convenience, facilitating an unobtrusive approach to meeting all testing requirements efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Olnes, AK provides companies with an affordable solution. The quick turnaround times further enhance the value, ensuring timely and trustworthy results.

Companies of all sizes can benefit from this cost-effective approach to drug testing, reinforcing their commitment to workplace safety without compromising on budgetary constraints or result speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Olnes, AK, provides rapid and precise results. Known for their accuracy, these tests can detect various substances efficiently, giving employers peace of mind when making crucial decisions.

Leveraging advanced technology, the speed of hair follicle analysis ensures timely access to results, enabling quicker decision-making while maintaining high standards of accuracy. This capability is vital for employers in need of reliable substance abuse insights.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle tests in Olnes, AK, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests mitigate legal risks and promote a safer, more productive work environment.

Employers benefit from the clear and concise data that hair testing provides, easing the enforcement of zero-tolerance policies and contributing to overall workplace peace and assurance.

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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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