Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dexter, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, or for tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair are specifically regarding scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test sample primarily involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation steps.

Accessioning encompasses the initial intake of a sample into the lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening includes an initial examination for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be eligible in a judicial setting. Samples that test presumptive positive in Screening will require subsequent verification.

If a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is applied to confirm any positive screening outcomes. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is generally very difficult, which leads to more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dexter, IA. Hair testing outshines traditional urine methods by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are common, their detection window is limited. Hair analysis covers a longer period, providing a more comprehensive insight into substance use.
Moreover, with such reliable detection, hair tests help maintain a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a pivotal advantage of hair follicle testing in Dexter, IA. While urine testing detects recent drug use, hair testing covers up to 90 days, providing a broader view of an individual's substance history.
This extended detection is crucial for employers who wish to understand the extended patterns of drug use among employees or applicants.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method highlights the robustness of hair follicle tests in Dexter, IA. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less vulnerable to adulteration, ensuring trustworthy and undeniable results.
As a result, this testing method is ideal for organizations looking to minimize the risk of tampered samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Access in Dexter, IA make it simple for individuals and organizations to avail testing services. Our widespread network ensures that you can quickly and easily access testing without any hassle.
With numerous centers across the nation, scheduling and undertaking tests becomes a seamless process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process characterizes our drug testing service in Dexter, IA. From ordering to taking the test, and receiving the results, each step ensures privacy and simplicity for users.
This intuitive process is designed to address privacy concerns while providing a user-friendly experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround characterize our drug testing services in Dexter, IA. We pride ourselves on competitive pricing structures and expedited processing times.
This combination offers excellent value, supporting companies of all sizes in their drug testing needs while delivering peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are vital in drug testing, especially in Dexter, IA. Hair follicle tests not only offer speed but also precision in identifying substance intake compared to other methods.
This leads to a dependable drug testing procedure for both individuals and organizations. The accuracy of these tests ensures that all substance use activity is detected efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers through hair follicle testing in Dexter, IA. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies reduces legal liabilities and improves safety.
Employers who utilize these tests are assured of maintaining compliance while bolstering a secure work setting.

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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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