Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grand Mound, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent tool in assessing drug and alcohol consumption. It encapsulates a lasting record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair’s developing strands. When obtained near the scalp, hair can disclose approximately a three-month detection timeframe for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, it's resistant to tampering, and it's convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for screening and validation purposes. For EtG, additional testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair is also acceptable. When we reference head hair, it pertains to only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process of drug test analysis involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. It encompasses checking if the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data entry not supported by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drug substances. While Screening serves as an economical method to identify drug usage in most samples, a positive finding requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples suspected to be positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples suspected to be positive after the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most complex methodology.

The verification of positive screening outcomes is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples suspected positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can highlight drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to circumvent: It is particularly difficult to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It provides an overview of drug habits over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to discern recent usage: Drugs typically become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing generally incurs more expense than alternative testing methods.
• Results variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Grand Mound, IA
The advantages of hair testing over urine testing are significant. Hair tests are less invasive while offering enhanced accuracy, providing detection over an extended period. This method ensures greater reliability, making it an optimal choice compared to traditional urine tests known for their limited detection timeframe.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Grand Mound, IA
Hair follicle testing offers the advantage of an extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This provides employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance history, surpassing the capabilities of short-term tests like urine testing, thus offering a broader perspective on a person's drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Grand Mound, IA
Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration due to their tamper-resistant nature. The integrity of samples is crucial, and hair testing provides results that are both reliable and undeniable, which is paramount in delivering accurate and trusted testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Grand Mound, IA
With accessible testing centers across the nation, including Grand Mound, IA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures hassle-free and prompt testing services. Our widespread locations mean that testing is convenient and readily available, offering an easy path to maintaining health and compliance standards.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Grand Mound, IA
The process of hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and simplicity, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved. This makes hair testing an easy and appealing solution for conducting necessary substance use checks.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Grand Mound, IA
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times demonstrate exceptional value. Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality or reliability, providing companies of all sizes with peace of mind and budget-friendly options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Grand Mound, IA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. The process ensures swift detection of substances with high accuracy, making it a preferred choice for fast and reliable drug testing results. With quick results, stakeholders can make informed decisions confidently and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Grand Mound, IA
By selecting hair follicle testing, employers comply with workplace drug policies, minimizing legal risks and ensuring enhanced safety. This testing method provides peace of mind, knowing that the results adhere to the highest standards of reliability and accuracy.

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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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