Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mitchell, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a powerful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand. When sourced closely to the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (roughly a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg amount of the specimen is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioned, head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the process of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing needed data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a swift evaluation for drug misuse. While it is a cost-efficient strategy for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be courtroom admissible. Any specimens that screen as presumptively positive mandate further confirmation.

Should a specimen be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to conduct.

The confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is very challenging to alter a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the examination itself is on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Mitchell, IA, choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing reveals its superior benefits. Compared to traditional methods, hair tests offer greater detection accuracy and reliability.

• The lengthy detection window of up to 90 days provides a clearer picture of drug use.
• The precision in results ensures better workplace decisions.
• Hair testing minimizes the risk of tampering better than urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Mitchell, IA, is an invaluable advantage. This process can identify drug use over an impressive span of up to 90 days. For employers, this means a more comprehensive review of an individual's potential substance history, ensuring better informed hiring and retention decisions. By offering such detailed insights, this testing method becomes an essential tool in assessing long-term drug use trends.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Mitchell, IA, significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration, providing trustworthy results. Unlike other testing methods, altering or tampering with samples is exceptionally challenging.

• The methodology itself acts as a barrier against deceitful practices.
• Ensured reliability of results gives confidence to employers and authorities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to testing services in Mitchell, IA, and nationwide. With our extensive network of locations, obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward.

• The process is quick and hassle-free.
• Our centers are strategically positioned to ensure minimum travel and waiting times.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mitchell, IA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy.

• Easy scheduling of appointments minimizes disruptions.
• The discreet handling of tests ensures sensitive information remains secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Mitchell, IA, are structured around competitive pricing, ensuring affordability for businesses of all sizes. With our fast turnaround times, obtaining results swiftly is a standard feature. This combination of cost-effective solutions and rapid processing ensures that companies receive excellent value while maintaining their operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Mitchell, IA, offer unparalleled precision and speed in identifying substance use. Accuracy is paramount, with results providing a clear indication of long-term usage. The rapid turnaround ensures that employers and individuals can swiftly ascertain the findings, combining quick processing with dependable results.

This method elevates the standards of drug testing with highly reliable outcomes. The blend of fast and accurate readings positions hair testing as a preferred choice for those needing precise insights.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Mitchell, IA, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing. Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies becomes more manageable, reducing legal risks significantly. This method not only enhances workplace safety but also solidifies an organization's commitment to maintaining a professional environment. Ultimately, this fosters a culture of trust and responsibility, aligning with zero-tolerance drug policies effectively.

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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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