Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Evansdale, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period extending up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and is easily shippable.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches composed of around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verifying. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the introductory processing of a sample into the lab's system, which involves ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening denotes an initial rapid assessment for prohibited drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to potentially eliminate drug presence for most samples, a positive screening must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and is readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn from hair at lower concentrations relative to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug testing the most challenging method to perform.

The confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab procedure is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests discern drug use over a 90-day period, as opposed to urine tests with a shorter window.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insights: These tests can reveal a pattern in drug usage over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration levels of drug metabolites present in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Testing in Evansdale, IA, is clear to see. Hair tests provide a longer detection window and are considered to be more effective in identifying substance use than urine tests. With accuracy that stretches beyond the limitations of standard urine testing, hair samples deliver a more reliable assessment.

Extended Detection Window

One of the notable advantages of hair follicle testing in Evansdale, IA, is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, it gives a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. This breadth of information allows employers to make more informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Evansdale, IA, benefits from hair follicle testing as a tamper-resistant drug testing method. The inherent nature of the process ensures that samples cannot be easily adulterated, thus providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. This reduces risk and increases trustworthiness in the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including Evansdale, IA, access to drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our widespread locations make it easy for individuals and companies to get the tests they need without delay, ensuring prompt and efficient service no matter where you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Evansdale, IA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to respect privacy and ease of use. Individuals can have confidence in the discretion and simplicity of the process, addressing concerns of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, Evansdale, IA, hair follicle testing provides exceptional value. Companies of all sizes benefit from competitive pricing structures and rapid results, ensuring peace of mind and financial efficiency while maintaining the highest standards in drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to precision and speed in drug testing, hair follicle tests in Evansdale, IA, stand out. Their unmatched accuracy ensures that even the smallest trace of substance use is detected reliably. This method reduces errors, offering peace of mind with results you can trust.
Unlike traditional methods, hair testing is not just swift but also incredibly accurate, ensuring reliable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Evansdale, IA, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle testing. This method helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing workplace safety overall. Thorough testing equates to maintaining a secure work environment.

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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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