Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Epworth, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now acknowledged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term indicators of alcohol and substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will weigh 100mg, which is considered an ideal sample for testing and validation. For EtG extensions and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential phases in laboratory processing for a drug test report are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a specimen into a lab’s system. This ensures the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not supplied by an electronic custody chain.

Screening serves as an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires verification to be court-admissible. Samples registering presumptive positives in Screening need a secondary verification.

For a sample yielding a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug evaluations can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are hard to falsify, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Shows historical consumption: It can reveal substance use patterns over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations usually cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing options in Epworth, IA, hair follicle testing holds the upper hand over traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, offering a comprehensive view of substance history. Unlike urine tests, which can be evaded, hair testing ensures reliable outcomes, making them especially valuable for employers seeking precision and trustworthiness in substance assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Epworth, IA stand out for their extended detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period aids employers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history. By opting for hair testing, businesses can achieve clearer insights into potential employees' or current staff's substance use over months, thereby making informed decisions based on a thorough evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of drug testing is paramount, and hair follicle tests in Epworth, IA significantly minimize the chances of tampering. These assessments are tamper-resistant, ensuring the reliability and authenticity of the results. Employers and professionals can place trust in hair testing as a credible method, offering peace of mind and confidence in the outcomes compared to other testing methods that can be compromised.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience in drug testing is key, and with our nationwide centers, including in Epworth, IA, accessing testing services is a breeze. Our widespread nationwide facilities ensure that obtaining a hair follicle test is quick and hassle-free. Whether local or traveling, individuals and employers can reach testing solutions with ease, guaranteeing efficient and stress-free service access.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Epworth, IA, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From order placement to result retrieval, every step prioritizes ease and privacy, addressing any concerns users may have. The straightforward procedure ensures quick turnaround and discreet handling, assuring individuals that their privacy is respected while benefiting from a confidential process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times define our services in Epworth, IA. Our hair follicle testing offers excellent value to companies of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising speed and accuracy. By selecting our services, employers obtain assurance not only in timely results but also in cost-effective testing processes, enhancing overall confidence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Epworth, IA, precision and speed are paramount when it comes to hair follicle drug tests. These assessments offer unmatched accuracy in identifying substance use. Employers and individuals can rely on the fast results that these tests deliver, ensuring timely and informed decision-making. By prioritizing hair testing, one can trust in the effective detection of various substances, setting a new standard for accurate results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Epworth, IA, maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies is simplified through hair follicle testing. This strategy reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety. By implementing hair testing, businesses can effectively ensure their policies are followed, providing peace of mind and fostering a secure working environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Epworth, IA

Holy Cross, IA

Cascade, IA

Bernard, IA

Asbury, IA

Worthington, IA

Dyersville, IA

Rickardsville, IA

Centralia, IA

Bankston, IA

Graf, IA

Peosta, IA

Pleasant Grove, IA

Farley, 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