Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harvey, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It encapsulates long-term substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, it offers roughly a 3-month window to detect substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 individual hairs (equivalent in width to a #2 pencil) near the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for testing and confirming results. For EtG, add-ons, or screenings beyond the standard 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilize a jeweler's scale for precise weight measurement. If scalp hair isn't an option, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types of hair (facial, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a drug test in the lab comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This stage includes ensuring the sample's chain of custody is intact, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry that isn't part of an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary method to identify drugs of abuse. Although it efficiently eliminates drug use in most cases, additional confirmation is necessary for a positive result to be legally valid. Any preliminary positive outcomes during Screening necessitate further validation.

Upon a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other sampling methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Positive screens undergo Confirmation via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples undergo a wash when required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug examinations reveal drug intake up to 90 days back, compared to shorter periods with urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: The accuracy of hair drug testing is enhanced due to the difficulty in falsifying results.
• Reveals past usage: This method uncovers drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Potential result discrepancies: Individual factors like hair color and growth rate can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair shaft and not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Harvey, IA, hair follicle testing emerges superior to traditional urine tests. The primary advantage lies in the enhanced detection and reliability of results, which hair testing offers. While urine tests capture recent drug use, hair tests offer more thorough insights.

The advantage of opting for hair follicle testing is clear when considering accuracy and reliability. They delve deeper, catching extended patterns of drug use, aiding employers and decision-makers in crafting informed policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Harvey, IA, provides a broader view of drug use, revealing patterns up to 90 days prior. This extended detection window ensures employers and authorities can thoroughly assess an individual's substance history.

This comprehensive detection capability of hair follicle tests is invaluable to employers in Harvey, IA, who seek to understand long-term behaviors rather than recent indulgences.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Harvey, IA's hair follicle tests significantly minimize concerns over sample adulteration. This testing method delivers indisputable reliability, offering results upon which companies can confidently rely.

By reducing the possibility of tampering, hair follicle testing in Harvey, IA provides a trusted method for ensuring accurate drug test results, eliminating concerns over falsified outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers, including local options in Harvey, IA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to hair follicle tests. This widespread availability facilitates efficient testing for individuals and organizations.

Take advantage of our seamless nationwide network and local accessibility, guaranteeing that drug testing is both convenient and hassle-free in Harvey, IA.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple hair follicle testing process in Harvey, IA, is both secure and straightforward, addressing privacy concerns while offering ease in ordering and receiving results.

From purchasing the test to obtaining results, the entire process in Harvey, IA, is crafted for confidentiality and simplicity, ensuring participant comfort and security throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Harvey, IA, our competitive pricing for hair follicle tests is matched only by the speed of our service, as rapid turnaround times are crucial for business operations needing quick results.

Providing excellent value, our affordable fees in Harvey, IA make high-quality drug testing accessible to companies of all sizes, offering a prudent solution for substance monitoring.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Harvey, IA, stand out for their ability to provide quick and reliable results. These tests boast a high level of accuracy when it comes to identifying substance use, offering rapid assessments vital in various contexts.

Hair follicle tests streamline the drug testing process, enabling faster results while maintaining accuracy. This efficiency is key for businesses and legal entities needing a timely evaluation of an individual's drug history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Harvey, IA, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reliable testing method reduces legal risks while increasing workplace safety.

Incorporating hair follicle tests in Harvey, IA, allows employers to uphold rigorous standards, ensuring adherence to policy and providing a safer working environment for all.

Drug Testing Near Harvey, IA

University Park, IA

Lacey, IA

Columbia, IA

Oskaloosa, IA

Beacon, IA

Lovilia, IA

Otley, IA

Evans, IA

Knoxville, IA

Marysville, IA

Marion, IA

Attica, IA

Leighton, IA

Pella, IA

Tracy, 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