Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bingham, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly being regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of substance use, capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can cover up to roughly a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, enhancements, and/or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be acquired. When we talk about head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning consists of the initial preparation of a sample for a laboratory’s process. This step involves ensuring the sample’s proper packaging and dispatch, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any requisite data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive result requires verification to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo an additional confirmation process.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results from screening is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenge to deceive: Attempting to cheat a hair drug test is significantly tough, enhancing the precision of the results.
• Supplies historical insights: It offers a pattern of drug use over an extended period, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs typically become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Outcome variations: Hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bingham, IA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. Benefits include:

• Longer detection periods
• Increased reliability

While urine tests serve as the standard for immediate use detection, hair testing provides a thorough overview of an individual's drug history, making it irreplaceable for long-term substance assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bingham, IA, provides an extensive detection window, spanning up to 90 days, unmatched by other methods. Advantages include:

• Comprehensive history of substance use
• Greater time span for detection

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering in Bingham, IA, ensuring reliable results. Key features:

• Reduced chances of manipulation
• Unquestionable integrity of results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers widespread convenience with its national network across Bingham, IA, providing seamless access to testing services.

• Available nationwide
• Local centers ensure prompt service

These accessible locations simplify the testing process, guaranteeing a hassle-free experience for individuals and employers requiring substance assessments.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bingham, IA, the process for hair follicle drug testing is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. Steps include:

• Simple ordering methods
• Discreet testing procedures

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Bingham, IA, boasts competitive pricing alongside swift result turnaround times.

• Budget-friendly pricing structures
• Fast delivery of results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficient and reliable nature of hair follicle drug testing in Bingham, IA, ensures swift and precise results. Substance detection is highly accurate, providing dependable findings for various needs.

• Quick turnaround times for results
• High precision in detecting drugs

This testing method excels in defining long-term substance use, offering clear insights with unmatched accuracy. The benefits of such accuracy solidify its reputation as a trusted choice for substance assessment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bingham, IA, gain confidence in maintaining a drug-free environment through hair follicle testing. Ensures:

• Compliant with workplace policies
• Reduced legal risks

Drug Testing Near Bingham, IA

Fremont, IA

Hepburn, IA

Riverton, IA

Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda, IA

Coburg, IA

Imogene, IA

College Springs, IA

Blanchard, IA

Farragut, IA

Northboro, IA

Essex, IA

Yorktown, IA

Coin, IA

Shenandoah, IA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews